Dec 15, 2010
I've written a lot of press releases in my day, but I don't think I've ever penned one that relies on "Humiliation Marketing" tactics. Maybe I'm behind the times. Maybe I'm just not that creative. Maybe I have a conscience. But it's doubtful I'd ever advise issuing this type of release for a client: "Beware the Holiday Party Faux Pas: Wine Topped With Artificial Stoppers" The release, which links to a semi-comical video produced and is issued by by the…
Nov 29, 2010
QUESTION: Notwithstanding Granholm v. Heald, does the Twenty-first Amendment to the U.S. Constitution overrides its Commerce Clause and allows States to discriminate against out-of-state businesses in the sale of alcoholic beverages? This is the question that the Specialty Wine Retailers Association (for which I serve as Executive Director) is asking the Supreme Court of the United States to decide. A Writ of Certiorari ( filed last week and downloadable here) asks the court to review a decision by the Fifth…
Nov 19, 2010
Well, this is hilarious…and educational. And your favorite wine blogger has a cameo. I'm not sure where the folks at VinTank find their inspiration, but they inspire me. Watch this Video as though your life depends on it. Unfiltered: Episode 3 from VinTank on Vimeo.
Nov 11, 2010
This year has been one of the most active and consequential for wine-related politics and legal issues. Below is my list of top Political and Legal Stories of 2010. 1. HR 5034Written, promoted and paid for by America's beer and wine distributors, HR 5034 is an attempt to change the legal rules of the alcohol game by a group of players that don't like the current set of rules. Introduced in mid year, the bill was given a hearing in…
Nov 9, 2010
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a branch of the federal Department of the Treasury that is tasked with, among other things, providing definitions of terms that appear on wine labels and in wine advertising, has asked for comments on the notion of defining specific terms. Those terms include: EstateEstatesEstate-GrownReserveOld VineBarrel FermentedProprietor's BlendSingle VineyardOld CloneVineyard SelectSelect HarvestBottle AgedBarrel Select Presumably, many wine trade organizations, individuals, consumers, lawyers, bloggers, writers and others will weigh in on what if…