Depends on who you ask

WINE HAS A problem.

Sales are down. It’s not cool anymore. It’s bad for us.

Those are just some of the issues putting a dent in wine’s popularity, according to several recent studies.

So who’s the blame? Depends who you ask.

That seems to be the great debate recently among people whose jobs involve selling or making wine. (Let me add that I do neither. I’m simply here to recommend wines, not sell them to you.)

According to recent studies, wine sales in the United States are down and they’re only getting worse each year.

For the second year in a row last year, wine sales nationwide were down in 2022 compared to 2021, according to one recent, annual nationwide study conducted by Silicon Valley Bank.

The authors of this influential study even think this trend could get worse in future years, going so far as to say that the American wine industry could become blame?

Ken Ross Wine Press

another business case study in once-successful businesses that are now obsolete.

So why were wine sales down last year?

According to the Silicon Valley Bank study, younger adults are partly to blame. Between 2007 and 2021, wine sales fell in nearly every age group under 60. Sales were down 5.5% for adults 50 to 60, down 7.3% among adults 40 to 50 and 1.2% among adults 30 to 40. As for adults 21 to 30, wine sales were basically the same — up a mere 0.1%.

The only growth in wine sales was among adults over 60, who consistently bought more wine every year between 2007 and 2021.

So why aren’t people under 60 buying wine?

One big elephant in the

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Learning Series and can be downloaded in its entirety from nrn.com, the Nation’s Restaurant News website.

Side dishes

• On Feb. 19, Figaro Ristorante in Enfield is presenting an Elvis Presley tribute show, “Elvis is Back in the Building.” The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet of classic Italian-American dishes and a cash bar; the show itself will start at 7 p.m.

Tickets for “Elvis is Back in the Building” are $25, not including costs of dinner or drinks. Reservations can be made by calling 860-745-2414.

• Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield, in partnership with the ACME Mystery Company of Connecticut, is hosting a murder mystery dinner on March 3.

The event begins at 6:45 p.m. and is priced at $55. Those attending have a choice of prime rib or stuffed chicken

Inn has organized a cluster of February get-togethers designed to chase away winter doldrums.

On Saturday, Champney’s is hosting Mrs. Claus for a Lunch and Teddy Bear Tea. The event starts at 11:30 a.m.; participants are encouraged to bring their favorite teddy bear as a guest. The restaurant’s regular luncheon menu and kids menu will be available.

Starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the restaurant will present a Berkshire Brewing Company Beer Dinner. Featuring five courses and five Berkshire brews to “go-with,” the Beer Dinner is priced at $95 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Later in the February vacation week, on Feb. 25, Champney’s will hold another of its Fancy Nancy Luncheons, an event built around Jane O’Connor’s book “Fancy Nancy,” which will be read aloud during the occasion. The lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.

That evening at 6 p.m. the Hitchcock Brewing Company of Bernardston will be pouring a selection of its American ales courses — bison cheeseburger chowder, tomato bruschetta crostini with buffalo mozzarella, venison beef stroganoff, and a pineapple upside down cake with wild board bacon. Individual beer tastings are provided with each course, and full preparation instructions are included. The dinner package, which serves two, is priced at $99 plus applicable taxes. Order the Game Dinner package at the Delaney’s Market location in Longmeadow, Wilbraham, or Westfield by Feb. 22. Pickup dates for the dinners is on Feb. 24 or Feb. 25. More details are available online at DelaneyMarket.com dent Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant in Springfield is scheduled for Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. tinned fish, sharable dips, and house-made candy bars. as their entrée.

Delaney’s Market locations are offering a “Cook Your Own Game Dinner at Home” experience this month. Packages can be ordered at locations in Longmeadow, Wilbraham, and Westfield until Feb. 22.

• KFC has introduced two snack items that feature its Extra Crispy chicken.

The new Classic Chicken Wrap at KFC is made with an Extra Crispy chicken tender, pickles, and a slather of mayonnaise all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, while a Spicy Slaw Chicken Wrap gets its flavor mojo from coleslaw and a special spicy sauce.

The dinner includes four courses — bison cheeseburger chowder, tomato bruschetta crostini with buffalo mozzarella, venison beef stroganoff, and a pineapple upside down cake with wild board bacon.

A six-course presentation of “wild” edibles, the dinner will include the likes of fried python, oxtail stew, rabbit leg confit, and bison ribeye. For dessert Executive Chef Timothy Saxer will be preparing Duck Eggs S’Mores.

The dinner is priced at $75 per person, with tax and tip included. Tickets may be reserved online at studentprince.com.

On Feb. 20, a nachos pop-up is planned, with duck nachos the featured selection. The following Monday, Feb. 27, the pop-up focus will be pizza. More details will be forthcoming at the Beer Hall’s social media outposts. The Dirty Truth also answers at 413-585-5999.

• Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery in Hadley is promoting its February Winter Dinners, a pick-up meal opportunity available on Feb. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The menu will feature Barstow’s own chicken and biscuits with mashed potatoes and green beans. A cheesecake cup is included for dessert.

Plates are $18 each, with a kid’s sized portion priced at $15. There’s also a plus-sized farmer’s plate for those with hearty appetites.

Advance orders are required by Friday at 3 p.m.

Call Barstow’s at 413-5862142 for more details or to reserve a plate.

• Brignole Vineyards in East Granby is collaborating with Avon Prime Meats of Avon to present a five-course Game Dinner with wine pairings on Feb. 28 starting at 6 p.m.

The dinner is priced at $115; more details can be had by contacting Brignole Vineyards at 860-653-9463.

• Atkins Farm Country Market in Amherst is hosting a “Tastings in The Loft” event on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

ACME Murder Mystery performs their own original material, enhancing the mystery experience by providing each table with a clue that can be shared and compared with others attending.

To make a reservation for the performance call 413-7324188.

• Champney’s Restaurant and Tavern at the Deerfield as its contribution to a fivecourse beer dinner.

Cost to attend will be $95 plus tax and gratuity.

Information about, and reservations to attend, any of these Champney’s events can be had by calling 413-774-5587.

• Delaney’s Market locations are offering a “Cook Your Own Game Dinner at Home” experience this month.

The dinner includes four

Both new wraps are available for a limited time; they’re priced at two for $5. The wraps are also being offered as part of a KFC Wraps Combo that includes a choice of two chicken wraps, “Secret Recipe” fries, and a medium drink.

KFC fans will recognize the new wraps as an updated version of a previous menu item, KFC Twister Wraps.

• This month’s second Hunter’s Dinner at the Stu-

More information is available by calling the restaurant at 413-734-7475.

• The Dirty Truth Beer Hall in Northampton has announced its “Winter in Northampton” series of Monday Pop Ups.

Each Monday evening from 4 to 10 p.m. throughout the rest of the winter, The Dirty Truth will offer a new theme and a unique menu. The inaugural pop-up event on Feb. 13 was designed around a selection of cheese boards,

The free tasting event will include samples of selected beers, wines, and ciders as well as complimentary light snacks. Special pricing on the beverages sampled will be available to those who attend.

For more details contact Atkins Farm at 413-253-9528.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.