Tennessee Vinophiles to State Government: Keep Out of Our Cellars
Planning a nice meal tonight? Maybe some chicken Milanese with a little side salad? Or perhaps a fresh cut of salmon with asparagus?
Either way, you’re probably gonna want a bottle of wine to wash it all down. And, as you might already know, that’s not something you're gonna find at your local Harris Teeter.
Forgive us for our ignorance (we haven’t been here long), but it came as a surprise when we recently found out that a simple trip to the grocery store couldn’t land us our favorite Beaujolais. Turns out, Tennessee is one of a handful of states that doesn’t allow wine sales anywhere outside of wholesalers and liquor stores.
Buying wine from an out-of-state retailer? Also a no-no.
Perversely restrictive laws of this kind usually protect a few "concerned interests." In this case, that'd be the people sellin' the stuff. More competition isn't something they cherish.
But protectionist laws also tend to piss off the common folk. After all, interstate commerce is part of what made America great. And a growing number of Tennesseans are mobilizing. Trying to ensure that nothing can stand between them and a flavorful Californian Cab.
Chief among them is Rick Jelovsek, a recently retired M.D. from Johnson City. Jelovsek runs Tennessee Wine Lovers. It's the little brother to the more organized and well-funded Red White and Food, sponsored by the state's grocer lobby.
Together, Jelovsek and Red and White are asking that the laws creating the vino monopoly (vinopoly) in Tennessee be amended. The issue itself is nothing new. According to Jelovsek, it's been brought up in the legislature every year since recent memory, each time being tabled or lost in committee (big-money contributions from wholesalers will do that).
But Jelosek says next year may be different.
As the named plaintiff in a suit against the state, he's awaiting an appeals court decision that he says may finally force lawmakers to make a change. As of this time next year, he says, importing wine may no longer be considered bootlegging.
Good news for wine lovers across Tennessee. Even if, for tonight, you'll still need that extra trip.
Comments
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Posted 08/06/2008 at 05:33:21 PMI've been Charlie Brown to someone's Lucy too many times now on this issue - I ain't going to try and kick the ball this time.
Posted 08/07/2008 at 12:31:59 PMIt will never happen. The liquor lobby is too wealthy and our legislators too stupid and greedy. Enough money, ignorance, and greed will trump common sense, even among so-called free enterprise types. And the funny thing is, every time this comes up on the Hill, some miserable festering scab of a liquor lobbyist pens a completely illogical, mind-bendingly dishonest and infuriatingly pea-brained letter to the editor of the Tennessean about how any change to the status quo will lead to dogs and cats living together etc. I can't go down this road again, it just drives me so nuts.
So true,Taterman. The Tennessee Waltz will keep right on going when it comes to protecting the TN wholesalers.....
Posted 08/09/2008 at 07:12:12 PM