Trump Tariffs Shake Up US Restaurant Menus

New York hospitality group removes French sparkling wines due to rising costs.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A minimalist, photorealistic studio still life featuring a half-empty champagne flute, a corkscrew, and a crumpled receipt, symbolizing the impact of rising costs and limited consumer options due to trade policies on the hospitality industry.As tariffs drive up the price of French sparkling wines, some New York restaurants are forced to remove beloved champagne and cremant brands from their menus.NYC Today

Certain champagne and cremant brands that were once wine menu staples are being removed from the menus of restaurants and bars owned by the New York-based Kent Hospitality Group, according to the company's wine director Kristen Goceljak. The decision is due to the increased costs associated with tariffs imposed on French wines by the Trump administration.

Why it matters

The changes to restaurant wine lists reflect the broader impact of the Trump administration's trade policies on the US food and beverage industry. As tariffs raise the prices of imported wines and other products, businesses are forced to adapt by adjusting their offerings, which can impact consumer choice and the overall dining experience.

The details

Kent Hospitality Group, which operates several restaurants and bars in New York City, has decided to remove certain French champagne and cremant brands from its wine menus due to the higher costs associated with Trump-era tariffs on these products. According to wine director Kristen Goceljak, the tariffs have made these once-popular sparkling wines too expensive to keep on the menu.

  • The Trump administration first imposed tariffs on French wines in 2018.

The players

Kent Hospitality Group

A New York-based hospitality company that owns and operates several restaurants and bars in the city.

Kristen Goceljak

The wine director for Kent Hospitality Group.

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What they’re saying

“Certain champagne and cremant brands that were once wine menu staples are on the chopping block at restaurants and bars owned by New York-based Kent Hospitality Group.”

— Kristen Goceljak, Wine Director, Kent Hospitality Group

The takeaway

The changes to restaurant wine lists highlight how the Trump administration's trade policies are impacting the US food and beverage industry, forcing businesses to adapt by adjusting their offerings and potentially limiting consumer choice.