Tariffs could whet appetite for Illinois bubbly
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President Trump's trade war spilled into the alcohol sector last week with threats of massive levies on European wine and champagne.
Why it matters: The U.S. alcohol and hospitality industry sells billions of dollars in European wine every year and supports thousands of jobs.
Driving the news: Last week the U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, prompting the European Union to impose countermeasures, including 50% tariffs on American whiskey to start April 1.
- On Thursday, Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European wine and champagne if the whiskey levy wasn't removed.
What they're saying: "This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S.," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Reality check: Alcohol and hospitality groups oppose the tariffs.
- "We urge President Trump to…get us back to zero-for-zero tariffs, which will create U.S. jobs and increase manufacturing and exports for the American hospitality sector," the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said in a statement.
Zoom in: Trump's prediction about benefits for U.S. winemakers led a Bloomberg columnist to argue last week that Americans won't abandon French bubbly for "counterfeit champagne" from the "Champaign-Urbana region."
- Nice wordplay, but does Illinois even make sparkling wine?
Turns out: Yes! Illinois Sparkling Company, operated out of Peru, Illinois (not Champaign), produces several champagne-style sparkling wines sold at top Chicago restaurants, O'Hare Airport and Pops for Champagne.
- Winemaker Mark Wenzel tells Axios that former first lady Michelle Obama even used one of his bottles to christen the USS Illinois.
What they're saying: "I'd be the first to say we're not champagne," Wenzel says. "But I'd ask (the columnist) if she's even tried our product or sparkling wine from any small producer."
- The winemaker says he's proud his wines are sold at Daisies, The Publican and The Gwen Hotel.
Monica's thought bubble: I picked up a $25 bottle of ISC Brut at my local Binny's, where it's the only Illinois bubbly on the shelf.
The verdict: Lovely, balanced, pleasingly effervescent and perfect for a birthday celebration.
- I look forward to trying more at the ISC tasting room in Utica, Illinois, after a hike in Starved Rock State Park.
Other ISC wines
Ensemble ($65): A vintage champagne made in collaboration with River North's Pops For Champagne featuring notes of "citrus, butterscotch, lime and dried apricot."
Brut Ombre Rosé ($25): A bestseller in the tasting room. "It's made with chambourcin grapes grown in Southern Illinois and aged for close to a year and a half. It's light and creamy but in a rosé style," Wenzel says.
Blend 795 ($45): Created for the July 2021 christening of the USS Hyman Rickover to celebrate Admiral Rickover's Illinois roots. The Blend 786 was used by Obama for the USS Illinois.
- The blends are good for more than smashing against ships. The ISC site describes 795 as bearing notes of "lime, brioche, hazelnut and marmite."
- "It has a nice body and flavor profile and has shown really well," Wenzel says.