Apr 3, 2006
I’ll be proving that my true calling is in the written word, rather than with my voice today as I make my regular monthly appearance on "WineBiz 2.0", a fine wine show broadcast weekly on KSVY…Sonoma Valley’s Local Radio Beheamoth. Hosted by Richard (KAZ) Kasmier and Eric Aho, Winebiz 2.0 takes a local look at all things wine. You can listen in over the Internet HERE at 1pm TODAY What to expect? I’m never sure. Kaz and Eric always have…
Mar 31, 2006
Continuing FERMENTATION’s look at money, wine and politics, we turn in this post to the money spent on political campaigns at the state level. It is here, in the individual states, where nearly all legislation and regulations concerning alcohol, its production, its sales and its distribution is undertaken. Between 2004 and 2006, contributions to state level political campaigns from beer, wine and spirit concerns totaled $21,362,727. The overwhelming majority of this money comes from distributors and wholesalers of alcohol. This…
Mar 30, 2006
No single wine related organization in America contributes more money to political campaigns than the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association. A national association representing 90% of America’s wine wholesalers, WSWA is a strong and powerful proponent not just for its members across the United States but for the entrenched three-tier system. WSWA has been instrumental in crafting and delivering the message that minors can and are put in danger by direct shipping to consumers. WSWA was instrumental in getting passed…
Mar 28, 2006
I’ve recently come across one of the most bizarre suggestions yet as relates to the issue of shipping wine directly to consumers. In Florida, the state Senate is looking to formalize their decision to allow direct shipping of wine to its residents. As expected wine wholesalers and their friends in the Senate are attempting to put restrictions on the legislation that amount to a "Wholesaler Protection Act." The current idea is to limit the wineries that can ship to residents…
Mar 27, 2006
Where ever there are hills and vines I think we can expect a movement to restrict exactly how vineyards are planted. We are seeing this scenario play out once again, this time in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco and one of the most impressive growing regions in the state. Napa Valley and Sonoma County has already dealt with the issue of where and how vines can be planted on hillsides. The movement to preserve the hillsides as…