Lawmakers Soon to Introduce Alcohol Wholesaler Legislation

Liquor wholesalers’ appalling misuse of the Constitution By Angela Logomasini Daily Caller, March 16, 2011 Liquor wholesalers’ attempts to rationalize federal alcohol legislation would appall James Madison, the father of the Constitution. Wholesalers claim their legislation will protect “states’ rights.” But their proposal would only serve their narrow special interest at the expense of individual [...]

Wholesalers Battle Harris Teeter – E. & J. Gallo Wine Club

Harris Teeter and E. & J.  Gallo want to offer consumers an online service that would enable the store’s shoppers to view a record of past wine purchases, rate wines, and receive recommendations that include Gallo and other wines available at the store.  But if wholesalers have their way, government regulations will make this project [...]

MD Restaurant Owners to Consumers: Put a Cork in It

Consumer advocates from Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws want state lawmakers to repeal a nonsensical law: the state ban on “corkage.” It is actually against the law in Maryland for restaurants to open and serve wine that consumers bring. Unfortunately, nearby Virginia imposes the same silly and unfair policy. In D.C., however, some [...]

News Sips: Sunday Alcohol Sales, Free-Speech, and Taxes

Never on a Sunday — In Georgia It looked like it was on the fast track for approval, but the Georgia assembly has declined to consider the bill that would have allowed Sunday alcohol sales in the state. The Georgia Senate shelved the bill after a “secret meeting” among Republican lawmakers, according to a story [...]

Baptist and Bootleggers Partner in Dallas

The Baptist -and-bootlegger coalition is alive and well in Dallas, Texas. A coalition of special interests and religious groups has petitioned the court to reconsider the validity of the Dallas ballot initiative that eliminated “dry” areas in the city. Not surprisingly, the coalition appears to be led by lawyers representing existing retailers who held liquor [...]

USDA Rule Undermines Organic Wine

Many U.S. winemakers around the world like to label their products as “organic,” but few actually do.  That’s because the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines “organic” wines as those that contain no “added sulfites,” a requirement that makes little sense. For details, see yesterday’s coverage in the Los Angeles Times and the The Gray [...]

2011 Agenda Item: Sunday Alcohol Sales

A number of state and local governments are set to debate bans on Sunday liquor sales—“blue laws“—during their 2011 legislative sessions. Decades ago, many jurisdictions initiated such laws based on the idea that they would reduce alcohol abuse and promote temperance. In Michigan, the legislature decided last year to lift a state ban on Sunday-morning [...]

Test yourself with Pocket Breathalyzer Or App

The alleged reason for many alcohol regulations — such as labeling mandates — is that consumers lack resources or ability to monitor and control their own drinking behavior. But the marketplace provides a host of solutions for consumers, including such things as online calorie counters. One option for those seeking to monitor their own alcohol-blood [...]

Voluntary Labeling Better than Mandates

After posting my Washington Times op-ed on wine-labeling mandates yesterday, I came across Diageo’s–the premium drinks company–press release that highlights the company’s support for “voluntary nutrition labeling.” As I conclude in my op-ed: alcohol producers should have the freedom to include any information on their labels that they desire, except fraudulent claims. That includes nutrition [...]

Mandated Nutrition Labels for Wine–Bad Idea

The Washington Times published my article on wine labeling last week (posted below): The Washington Times, December 30, 2010 Labels won’t solve obesity and alcoholism By Angela Logomasini The National Consumers’ NCL says the absence of nutritional labeling on alcoholic beverages contributes to everything from alcohol abuse to obesity, and they want the Alcohol Tax [...]

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