Archive for January, 2006
Ohio opponents "just want to protect their monopolies"
January 15th, 2006
Here’s a good update on the legislation process in Ohio from Mark Fisher.
Ohio opponents “just want to protect their monopolies”
January 15th, 2006
Here’s a good update on the legislation process in Ohio from Mark Fisher.
Indiana wholesalers attempt to buy the vote
January 15th, 2006
The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Indiana Political Action Committee gave over $180,000 between 2000 and 2004 to Indiana politicians and candidates. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette explains why there is no wonder that favorable legislation was introduced there. It is no secret that the wine wholesalers and distributors wield tremendous power in every state. Michigan wholesalers spent $238,000 in their wine shipping battle and also let Michigan lawmakers “use their party room to raise another $440,000″.
IBG Announces REThink Wine Trade
January 11th, 2006
Inertia Beverage Group announced today a new program called REThink Wine Trade. The program would give restaurants a means to place wholesale orders directly with producers.
This is an interesting concept. “Direct to the trade” compliance will certainly be a challenge for IBG. However, this once again gets back to the theme discussed by FTC Commissioner John Leibowitz that the current wine distribution sytem is “the most expensive distribution system of any U.S. packaged goods industry by far.” We are witnessing creative attempts to bypass the middleman, and these attempts will likely lead to better access to markets for small wineries that can not afford to see their profits eroded by wholesalers and more choices for consumers in the long run.
Wine shipping fight begins in Illinois
January 8th, 2006
Sound familiar? The Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois are pushing for a bill in Illinois that would prohibit direct shipments. Illinois wineries are crying foul and pushing their own counter-legislation. This will be interesting to watch as Chicago is a large wine market.
