Lawmakers want to amend wine tasting law
11/9/09 | 29 comments

Lawmakers want to amend wine tasting law


By Kevin Miller
BDN Staff

AUGUSTA, Maine — State lawmakers are hoping to fix a 2-month-old law that was supposed to help Maine’s boutique beer and liquor stores but which instead has left some shops complaining of a regulatory hangover.

Earlier this year, legislators passed a bill authorizing stores that stocked a large variety of beer or liquor to stage up to a dozen taste testings a year. The idea was to give purveyors of specialty brews and spirits the same marketing tool that has helped Maine wine shops draw additional customers who like to try before they buy.

But a last-minute amendment that aimed to prevent children from having to watch adults sipping beer or bourbon in the middle of the supermarket — or in the aisle of some other large retailer — has inadvertently caused problems for the smaller specialty shops.

The amendment stated that all taste testings “must be conducted in a manner that precludes the possibility of observation by children.” The new law, which took effect Sept. 12, presents a challenge to shops with windows that could allow children to catch a glimpse of the activities inside.

Leslie Thistle of Bangor Wine and Cheese Co. said she has to cover her front and back door windows with black and drape a sheet across the large storefront windows, giving her shop the feel of a “speak-easy” during her monthly tastings.

The law also means that she could be found in violation if a parent with children in tow comes into her shop to purchase a bottle of wine during a tasting event. She also pointed out that there are no laws shielding children from the sight of people drinking alcohol while seated on a restaurant’s outdoor patio.

“It is a ludicrous, ludicrous law,” she said.

Other wine and beer shops have taken similar steps to cover their windows or discourage minors from seeing inside during an event. The law’s unintended consequences have drawn national attention from Web sites and blogs catering to wine lovers.

Rep. Stacey Fitts, R-Pittsfield, has introduced legislation aimed at addressing the inadvertent problems. The Legislative Council, which reviews all bills proposed for the legislative session that begins in January, unanimously approved Fitts’ bill for consideration.

“Many stores that traditionally never had a problem conducting wine tastings are being hurt by this onerous requirement,” Fitts said in a statement. “My bill would instead mandate that a sign be placed at the entrance to an establishment when an event is being held, so all patrons are aware of the taste-testing.”

Thistle and other shop owners also hope the Legislature will loosen the restrictions that limit stores to a dozen taste testings in a year. The bill approved last year, LD 498, expanded the taste testings to beer and liquor establishments but kept the limit at a dozen events a year.

“Unless we were seasonal, that really doesn’t benefit us at all,” Thistle said.

In addition to regulating how taste testings are held, the law also restricts how much alcohol may be served to participants. Patrons may not be served a total of more than 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor throughout the event.

The law also prohibits serving anyone who is visibly intoxicated.

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Comments
29 comments on this item
On 11/9/09 at 3:50 AM, Jazz11 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The Maine legislature should pull their heads out of wherever they have them and breath some fresh air!

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On 11/9/09 at 5:57 AM, Beelzebubba wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I can't wait for the doobage tasting at a new medical cannabis dispensary!

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On 11/9/09 at 6:09 AM, iTHINKso2 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yet another example of the fine work by our inept state gov't.

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On 11/9/09 at 6:14 AM, Thinkaboutit wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is just another example of the STUPIDITY WE KEEP ELECTING - We need to GET RID OF ------ JOE PERRY -----

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On 11/9/09 at 6:20 AM, schoonerdog wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Stop complaining.......The government knows best!!!!! How can we trust healthcare to government when they can't get a wine tasting law right.....

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On 11/9/09 at 6:21 AM, Ladyslipper wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Totally Ludicrous !!

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On 11/9/09 at 6:49 AM, Inland wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If the fools in Disgusta hadn't broken it they wouldn't need to fix it now. The whole bunch should refuse payment of their per diems for any time spent fixing what they broke. Maybe if the associated costs were on their shoulders instead of ours they might be more cautious when considering or passing legislation. Or maybe take the time to read and understand what they're about to sign into law?

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On 11/9/09 at 6:56 AM, jakemulligan wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Can anyone say TABOR III

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On 11/9/09 at 7:10 AM, freedomfighter wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If we make wine tasting taboo then all the kids are going to want to do it. We should treat it as no big deal and then it wouldn't be a big deal.

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On 11/9/09 at 7:12 AM, otisfieldman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

just think we voted these fools into office! and they are sending people out to make sure this f--ked up law is up held.we the people have to stop this bull crap

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On 11/9/09 at 7:38 AM, tgmckenney wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

LEAVE IT TO OUR LEGISLATURE TO SCREW UP SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS THIS.

WHEN WILL IT ALL END?

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On 11/9/09 at 7:40 AM, limestone65 wrote: Click here to view hidden comment         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
On 11/9/09 at 8:03 AM, Coolfusion wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

OMG .. Children seeing wine consumption. We're all going to die.

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On 11/9/09 at 8:11 AM, funkysmell wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Stop electing fools! Bigger government=Augusta=oversight=regulation=bigger government. Anybody not understand the math? It is perpetual and pervasive.

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On 11/9/09 at 8:17 AM, bubbalouie wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I guess we need to feed the kids then lock them in the bedroom before we have a glass of wine with dinner or a coctail while watching the news about the idiots in Augusta.

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On 11/9/09 at 8:19 AM, bubbalouie wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Or maybe take them out back and tie them to a tree while we have friends over for a bbq and a few beers.

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On 11/9/09 at 8:40 AM, howboutthat wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

So, who are the bright ones that came up with these rules. A). First of all, don't bring your kids to a wine tasting. B). I bet you that parents don't put up a drape at home when they have a beer or glass of wine. Dark ages? Unbelievable!!

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On 11/9/09 at 8:42 AM, concernsme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I wish the story told us who came up with the lame amendment. Then we'd know what maybe the motivation is. Is it anti-business dems or overbearing moral watchdog repubs.

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On 11/9/09 at 9:43 AM, pcme2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What is wrong with wine testing. Nothing. Do people actually think that people do not have any wine or beer at home with there kids in the house come on.

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On 11/9/09 at 9:55 AM, frankforter wrote: Click here to view hidden comment         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
On 11/9/09 at 10:39 AM, Stevey_Dee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The closet drinkers came up with this.....

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On 11/9/09 at 11:36 AM, Drinky wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

braindead amendment...doesn't matter which idiot came up with it...just look at the lunitics that voted for it...and signed it into law

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On 11/9/09 at 1:28 PM, exlex94 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Is there a sign at the State Capital that says "only the brain dead need apply?"

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On 11/9/09 at 2:07 PM, ricts1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Our representatives never cease to amaze me.......

sheesh

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On 11/9/09 at 3:12 PM, justsaying wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

is this AMERICA?

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On 11/9/09 at 3:31 PM, muguet wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This would make a great headline for "The Onion" -- that it's a serious matter for those to whom we entrust our public duties puts a damper on the hilarity... HELLO....????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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On 11/9/09 at 5:51 PM, howboutthat wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What's the difference between a "Wine Tasting" and parents chugging down beers with their kids at a restaurant. ...there's a LOT more wine/beer consumed at dinner/lunch than a wine tasting!! Who are the bloody idiots that came up with this law??

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On 11/10/09 at 9:31 AM, wolf55 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Every comment above, all 27 of them, is negative, and we keep electing these idiots. We pay for this government and they even receive a per diem rate while they are in session? As far as the Maine taxpayers are concerned, "A fool and his money will soon part"

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On 11/10/09 at 10:41 AM, Steve63 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The "FUN POLICE" are at it again! No more stupid laws!!!

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