Wine Fine:The price of drink

Reason ^ | 8/1/2002 | Mike Lynch

[WindMinstrel]

A fed-up consumer calls it "socialism." A fed-up retailer calls it "state-sponsored gouging." They’re referring to an Ohio law that requires vintners, distributors, and retailers to jack up the price of a bottle of wine a total of 135 percent before it hits the shelf. As a result, wine costs up to 50 percent more in Ohio than in other states, translating into $100 million a year that Buckeye State residents could spend on something else.

"I don’t know how this could possibly benefit the public," Tom Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the Ohio Grocers Association, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which documented the stupidity of the state’s wine control regime in early March. The paper claimed Ohio is the worst among 17 states that regulate the price at which wine is sold.

It may be the worst, but all 50 states have a strictly enforced three-tier regime to regulate the sale of alcohol. Vintners must sell to wholesalers, wholesalers to retailers, and retailers to the public. Twenty states allow vintners to sell directly to consumers, through either mail order or the Internet. Not one state allows small vintners to bypass the first middlemen and sell directly to retailers.

The protectionist regimes are generally safe in state legislatures, but they are coming under increasing attack through the courts and the Internet. The Institute for Justice, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit legal group, is challenging a New York law that prevents direct wine sales from other states. Wine lovers can also take matters into their own hands. In Ohio, for example, wine enthusiasts buy direct from out-of-state stores. The law requires them to register these purchases and pay the markup. But as The Plain Dealer notes, "many bypass that step."

[Roscoe]

Ever try a red muscadine wine?

[johniegrad]

We should turn this into a thread on the "how, where, when, and which" of bargain wines. Any takers?

[AppyPappy]

That's not racism, that's just Jesse trying to get over. He has lots of hungry mouths to feed.

[WindMinstrel]

sure, as long as we can lure some homebrewers in. I've always been interested in making my own vinho

[johniegrad]

Any discussion is OK with me. I am particularly interested in bargains. Like Sinkspur (not sure I want to openly state the comparison, just kidding), we are generally in the bottle per evening range. It gets expensive after awhile and unfortunately this is one of those hobbies that increases in expense after you practice it a little. Bargain discussions anyone?

[Old Professer]

It is almost impossible to prove something isn't true.

AppyPappy died yesterday morning.

[WindMinstrel]

I'm not a huge wine drinker (well, I'm huge, but not big into wine). I do know that you can get some damned good bottles of wine for <$10. Of course,that's still $300 a month!

[sinkspur]

Ever try a red muscadine wine?

No. Sounds homemade.

[AppyPappy]

Prove it.

[johniegrad]

Never heard of it but it appears to be a Good Ole Boys Varietal

[Roscoe]

Sounds homemade.

Usually is. You'll sometimes find it in restaurants in the deep south.

Now that it's on my mind, I'll have to go see if any is available online.

[Roscoe]

Thanks for the link!

[sinkspur]

Well, our "drinkin' wine," that is to say, the stuff we drink most days, is Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Genevieve Vineyards, just outside Lubbock, Texas. It's as good as Mondavi's Coastal, and I can get a case at Goody-Goody in Dallas for $41.62 (that's $3.46 per 750 ml bottle).

Don't laugh. I'll put it up against Glen Ellen or even another good everday wine, Concha y Toro's Cabernet.

On weekends, we try other stuff, but nothing over $10-$11. Just finished Nominee Cabernet from Paso Robles Wine Co in San Miguel. Other good stuff we like is Calama Cabernet from Chile and, of course, Rosemount Shiraz or Shiraz/Cabernet from Australia. All inexpensive and quite good.

For white, we drink Cavit Pinot Grigio in 1.5 l bottles, at $7.25 from Sam's Club. We also like Buena Vista Sauvignon Blanc, Hogue Fume Blanc, and Meridian Chardonnay.

[sinkspur]

Speaking of online, a Texas appeals court just struck down our state's restriction on ordering wine from over the internet. I'm sure it will be appealed, but I'd like to see if, during the appeal, somebody will sell us some grape.

Got some good links?

[PhilipFreneau]

I drink lots of Merlot. Some that are of excellent quality and reasonably priced are (from least expensive to most expensive):

1. Stonehedge 2000
2. Salmon Harbor 2000
3. Robert Mondavi Coastal Private Selection 2000
4. Blackstone 2000
5. Rabbit Ridge 1999
6. Wente 1999
7. Hess Select 1997
8. Estancia 1999
9. Francis Coppola 1999
10. Clos Du Bois 1999
11. Rodney Strong 1999
12. Mill Creek 1999
13. Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve 1999
14. Beringer Founder's Estate 1997
15. Sterling 1999

[Roscoe]

If I find any, I'll sure post 'em.

[johniegrad]

You may want to try some of the South American malbecs. They sell for around $10/bottle. Significant tannins but a lot of flavor. The French use the varietal to add some body to some of their blends. Bodega Norton is just one readily available vintner.

[WindMinstrel]

ahh, Concha y Toro. I love that stuff! I was really surprised how good the chilean reds are. My brother still insists I'm insane.

[Roscoe]

This isn't quite what you asked about, but I thought you might find it of interest anyway.

http://www.winesocietyoftexas.org/texaslinks.htm

[Romulus]

You want cheap? I've been drinking a lot of American zinfandel lately. Vendange makes a fruity, easy-drinking version that sells around here for between $4.99 and $5.65 per 1.5l magnum. Stay away from their shiraz and cabs, though.

If you want something bigger and spicier but still very affordable, try either the Perrin or Guigal Côtes du Rhone, about $10-12 a bottle. The Mediterranean in general is a great place to explore for cheap, full-bodied reds.

Australia has great values too. For a splurge ($25), spring for a bottle of Rosemount's GSM.