Word on wine

The citizens of Nashville want to be heard. Currently, Tennessee state law mandates that wine can only be sold in liquor stores, unlike the majority of the states in the U.S., which allow wine to be sold in grocery stores and fine food markets.

However, that may soon change as a bill to overturn this law is currently before the Tennessee General Assembly. Tomorrow at noon, legislators from the House Local Government Committee will hear cases from both sides of the issue in the Legislative Plaza’s Hearing Room 16. There is no doubt proponents of both sides will come out in full force.

But what issue could anyone possibly have against selling wine in supermarkets? It seems like a perfectly harmless request. Not surprisingly, the liquor lobbyists, specifically the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association, are adamantly against this proposal, as they fear that it will hurt their own business.

While this is a valid concern, it is highly unlikely all supermarkets would carry the variety of wine sold in liquor and specialty wine stores. Supermarket wines lend themselves more to people looking to pick up a quick bottle of wine. Wine connoisseurs and shoppers looking for a rarer or more specific wine will continue to turn to their local liquor store.

Furthermore, can you imagine how ridiculous it would be if all carbonated beverages could only be sold in special soda stores? The idea is truly absurd. No other product gets that kind of legal protection.

The liquor lobbyists aren’t the only ones against the proposed law change. The Tennessee Baptist Convention has also come out strongly against the idea. The Baptist Convention condemns any consumption of alcohol and opposes the idea of wine in supermarkets for fear that increased exposure would increase temptation.

It seems that if one’s religious beliefs condemn alcohol consumption, their commitment to their faith would be stronger than a bottle in a grocery store. Orthodox Jews do not eat ham just because it is sold in grocery stores. One cannot hide from things that go against their religious beliefs. Instead, people who do not want to consume alcohol should just simply not consume it.

Along the same lines, some argue that this new law would increase underage drinking. Well, all I’ll say about that is I don’t know what your high school was like, but from what I recall, people weren’t lounging around sipping cabernet at parties. Beer is already available in the grocery stores. Adding wine isn’t going to magically make a new crop of high school students want to start drinking.

In light of all the arguments against selling wine in supermarkets, I still find myself struggling to understand the logic. Clearly, thousands of citizens in Nashville do not understand. The Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association has begun a campaign called Red, White and Food and has obtained 11,000 signatures on its petition in support of the new law.

According to the campaign, “Tennessee General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee estimated that the sale of wine in supermarkets would generate more than $16 million for state government and an additional $11 million for local governments.” You can buy fried chicken, cigarettes and beer at grocery stores, all of which have been proven to have health consequences, but you cannot purchase a bottle of red wine, which has been shown to improve heart health. Allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets is not controversial; it’s just common sense.