Nov 10, 2017
Tom Wark, executive director of the National Association of Wine
Retailers (Winefreedom.org), wine PR guru, and author of
Fermentation
Wine Blog gives a fascinating look at the history of US
wine law, current inane laws (unconstitutional) on interstate wine
shipping, and the ripple effects for wine producers, importers, and
drinkers.
*Note: This issue is not a democrat v republican issue, so
if you fear this will be a partisan conversation, both sides are
restricting consumer rights and there is no discussion of party
politics in the show.
Even if you are not an American listener, the history and
politics of the world's biggest market (by volume) and the
restrictive environment in which wine is sold will shock and amaze
you.
Here are some of the issues we tackle in the conversation:
1.The issues with retailers shipping between states and why
consumers and retailers and hamstrung by regulation
2. The historical background -- from the 1700s to today on how
the US became so protectionist about alcohol. Nerdy details
include..
- Why the current laws violate the spirit of the Articles of
Confederation and then the Constitution of the United States
- The Pre- and Post- Prohibition eras, Constitutional Amendments
and a violation of the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution
- Granholm v. Heald, a 2005 case that should have resolved this
and why it didn't
- Implications for consumers, retailers, small producers, and
importers, and why we need to use our voices to stop the
politics
3. A discussion of "the money" and why the Wholesalers rule
our choice in every state.
5. What's next? What can we do to promote free trade and help
the mission here? The essential mission American consumers have and
the importance of signing up for
Winefreedom.org and getting our voices
heard!
And finally, an invitation from Tom -- if you know any
state legislators in the US,
contact him!