Wines of South Africa

WOSA is going to be in town tomorrow at the Astor Center as a part of their world tour of workshops.

I intend to attend at least three of the seminars. From their literature:

Good Better Blends
Not only is this category growing in South Africa, it is also gaining increased recognition internationally. Several speakers will present some of the country’s most respected red and white blends. The speakers are Francois Haasbroek, Waterford;
Niel Bester, Plaisir de Merle; Wilhelm Pienaar, Nederburg.

Wine in Grocery Stores, another round

The debate over allowing grocery stores and drug store grows and so does my fascination.

The bill introduced by State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) was referred to committee on May 11.

Contrary to what some people are saying, this bill does not include provisions to allow convenience stores or gas stations to sell wine. It would be only grocery stores (as already defined in ABC law as any retail establishment where foodstuffs are regularly and customarily sold in a bona fide manner for the consumption off the premises), and drug stores, (also already defined in ABC law as a place registered by the New York state board of pharmacy for the sale of drugs).

Here’s what a sales representative, who has distributed an e-mail asking for people to vote no on allowing wine in grocery stores in O’Mara’s now defunct poll, says are his reasons against the change (the salesperson shall remain anonymous):

The bill is going to put wine in grocery stores and every place beer is sold. The big brands will wind up there and the income that it throws off, keeps the wine shops alive. The wines shops will lose business and many will go out of business. That will hurt me and I will have fewer outlets to sell artisanal wines. Every supermarket in NY is based outside on NY State except for King Kullen. Many are not even American business. Every wine shop is privately owned by someone in the community. The home depot and other national chains hurt the small business. That is what this bill will do.

Some State Senator Wants to Know

Thomas F. O’Mara, a New York State Senator from mid-western New York, has posted a poll on his website. He’s asking, presumably, his voters to tell him whether they’d like to have wine on supermarket shelves.

This has been an ongoing point of contention and law in New York. Currently only single-proprietor shops are allowed to sell wine and liquor. Beer is sold in beverage shops, supermarkets and convenience stores. Not surprisingly, current liquor stores are adamantly against this. Supermarkets would love it, the state would love it for what it sees as more licensing fees and tax revenues.

Give Mr. O’Mara your opinion. Wine shops and supermarkets co-exist right next store in New Jersey, why not here?

UPDATE: the poll has been taken down. The senator’s views on the topic remain.