State Says No to Merlot

Filed in archive Wine News on March 20, 2007

I almost think this sort of weird story could only happen in a dry state like Utah, but I'm probably wrong. Still, this is too funny and I just don't get it. What's the big deal about having your license plate say Merlot? Is this going to encourage our children to become wine connoisseurs? Eee...gads!

From Wait, Merlot is Wine?

Merlot can be a variety of grape or a type of red wine, but not an acceptable personalized license plate in Utah.

Glenn Eurick has had a license plate reading ''merlot'' on his 1996 Mercedes for 10 years. But the Utah Tax Commission told him last week he had to remove it because the state doesn't allow words of intoxicants on vanity plates.

Words like "liquor" or "whiskey" probably wouldn't make it through the state screening process before the plates are issued.

But merlot did, and Eurick was fine until an anonymous caller told the state that merlot was also an alcoholic beverage.

Eurick said he will challenge the state's decision.