Riley signs bill allowing stronger wine in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Bob Riley has signed legislation that allows stronger wine to be sold in Alabama.

The Legislature passed the wine bill last week. The governor's communications director, Jeff Emerson, said Riley signed it into law Thursday.

It raises the alcohol level for table wine from 14.9% by volume to 16.5%. The bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Steve French of Birmingham provides that the stronger wine can't be sold in convenience stores. But it could be sold in all other businesses that normally sell wine.