Am I the only one who is excited about the prospect of selling wine in grocery stores? Living smack-dab in the heart of wine country, I am surprised that the proposal has met with such resistance.
As I see it, increasing New York wine sales and imposing both licensing and franchising fees on grocery stores can only help “Uncork New York,” a $3.4 billion industry.
The measure could also generate as much as $105 million in revenue for the state, helping to offset the $16 billion budgetary shortfall.
The change could be particularly helpful to local wineries, already struggling to attract tourists to their rural locations.
Making local wines available in grocery stores would definitely generate both publicity and revenue for the outstanding wineries of Cayuga and Seneca counties.
As it stands, 35 states permit the sale of wine in grocery stores, including Washington, Oregon and California.
New York is currently the fourth largest wine-producing state, behind these states.
So not selling wine in New York grocery stores seems downright bizarre.
From a marketing standpoint, both the wineries and the supermarkets would benefit from the partnership. But there is some concern that liquor store owners might struggle in the wake of change.
But the prominent international grocery chains would most likely carry only a select few big-name wines such as Berringer Blass, Kendall-Jackson and E & J Gallo.
And hard liquor will still be available solely through independent liquor stores.
In fact, it has been suggested that liquor stores should then be permitted to sell beer and specialty cheeses, if only to level the playing field.
I wouldn't be opposed to throwing a bone to the liquor stores. If anything, increased competition would offer consumers more choices. And perhaps wider distribution would make wine a more affordable luxury in a tough economic climate.
As far as the measure promoting underage drinking, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that selling wine in grocery stores will have any impact on youth-access to alcohol.
At least it hasn't proved to be a problem in 35 states that permit wine in supermarkets.
I truly believe that selling wine in supermarkets would be a great thing for the state. Change is scary.
But it's not always a bad thing.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
The measure could also generate as much as $105 million in revenue for the state, helping to offset the $16 billion budgetary shortfall.
The change could be particularly helpful to local wineries, already struggling to attract tourists to their rural locations.
Making local wines available in grocery stores would definitely generate both publicity and revenue for the outstanding wineries of Cayuga and Seneca counties.
As it stands, 35 states permit the sale of wine in grocery stores, including Washington, Oregon and California.
New York is currently the fourth largest wine-producing state, behind these states.
So not selling wine in New York grocery stores seems downright bizarre.
From a marketing standpoint, both the wineries and the supermarkets would benefit from the partnership. But there is some concern that liquor store owners might struggle in the wake of change.
But the prominent international grocery chains would most likely carry only a select few big-name wines such as Berringer Blass, Kendall-Jackson and E & J Gallo.
And hard liquor will still be available solely through independent liquor stores.
In fact, it has been suggested that liquor stores should then be permitted to sell beer and specialty cheeses, if only to level the playing field.
I wouldn't be opposed to throwing a bone to the liquor stores. If anything, increased competition would offer consumers more choices. And perhaps wider distribution would make wine a more affordable luxury in a tough economic climate.
As far as the measure promoting underage drinking, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that selling wine in grocery stores will have any impact on youth-access to alcohol.
At least it hasn't proved to be a problem in 35 states that permit wine in supermarkets.
I truly believe that selling wine in supermarkets would be a great thing for the state. Change is scary.
But it's not always a bad thing.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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sick of it wrote on Apr 5, 2009 7:39 PM:
karl the 2nd wrote on Apr 3, 2009 8:52 PM:
Farmers Gal wrote on Apr 3, 2009 8:56 AM:
showpeople wrote on Apr 1, 2009 4:03 PM:
karl the 2nd wrote on Apr 1, 2009 10:39 AM:
Exactly what happened under the "Global Economy" canard/conspiracy (call it what you like?!) that put so many small businesses out of business!
LIke Wegman's is hurting?! NOT!! "
horseradish wrote on Apr 1, 2009 7:10 AM:
Gregg wrote on Mar 30, 2009 9:14 AM:
qwerty1234 wrote on Mar 30, 2009 7:17 AM:
Way to go... "