Wine Clubs Beware of Florida

Filed in archive Wine Clubs on April 10, 2007

As a Florida resident, I will be affected by any change in laws dealing with shipping wine. This is just another "big brother" tactic by republicans who want to good ol' boy network gets to keep the largest piece of the pie. According to the article, I have good reason to be worried.

From Critics attack shipping of wine:

Prodded by Florida's alcohol distributors and retailers, the Senate regulated Industries Committee approved a bill that would prohibit wineries that produce more than 250,000 gallons of wine a year from shipping directly to consumers.

Supporters contend that tightly regulated wine shipping will ensure that the practice doesn't eventually spread to beer and liquor and ultimately undermine an existing alcohol-distribution network that they say is easy to monitor and regulate.

"I don't think Florida, or any other state, is ready to allow unlimited mail-order sales of alcoholic products," said John Fleming, a spokesman for the Florida Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking. The organization's members include Miami-based Southern Wine & Spirits, the country's largest wine and spirit distributor, as well as a host of business, law-enforcement and religious groups.

I tend to agree.....Fleming admits that he "don't think."

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