Whining About Wine

Those who want to purchase chicken and Chablis at the same time will to wait a bit longer.

Allowing supermarkets to sell wine sustained a near fatal blow within the past few days. This is due to the fact that the deadline for bills to be reported out of the Connecticut legislature’s General Law Committee passed with no action being taken, resulting in its defeat.

In what has become commonplace when proposed liquor bills surface, the General Law committee members hear from their colleagues, interest groups, package store owners, grocers, and lobbyists. This year, House Bill 5918 “An Act Authorizing Grocery Stores To Sell Cider and Small Winery Wines” was front and center. On February 2nd, more than 350 people either testified or submitted written testimony on the pros and cons of allowing wine to be sold in the state’s 850 grocery stores that are licensed to sell beer, much to the consternation of Connecticut’s 1306 packages stores. This marathon public hearing lasted all day and into the night, with both sides engaged in contrasting economic forecasts and consumer surveys.

Earlier I stated this inaction by the General Law Committee resulted in a “near fatal blow” on this issue. While unlikely, this proposed bill can be attached into another bill as an amendment in upcoming months.

Both sides of this issue will certainly be watching the bills as they proceed through the legislative process…and eachother.