| Tuesday, 17th May 2005 |
| Bringing world news, views
and gossip to its members and all those interested in the selling of wine
direct to consumers. |
In this issue:
Comments and feed back will be welcomed as
will links to other sites and news venues. IWCA membership is open to wine
marketers specialising in distance selling and associate membership is available
to other parties involved in the direct marketing industry. |
| US Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Interstate Wine Sales |
On Monday 16 May, the US Supreme Court overturned laws in New York and Michigan which banned direct sales from out-of-state vineyards to customers in those states. The Court labeled these bans as “discriminatory and anticompetitive”. "States have broad power to regulate liquor," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority. "This power, however, does not allow states to ban, or severely limit, the direct shipment of out-of-state wine while simultaneously authorizing direct shipment by in-state producers." Whilst this is no doubt a significant victory, one should bear in mind that the ruling currently only applies to wineries. There remains a large gap in interstate marketing between merchants and as yet, also excludes beer and other alcoholic beverages currently regulated through state-licensed wholesalers and retailers. (FIVS Report, 17 May; The Associated Press, 16 May) |
| Labelling Requirements Worldwide |
| A warning to all our members – stringent labelling requirements are currently under consideration worldwide. Firstly, allergen labelling in the European Union could potentially become quite a nightmare. There is a possibility that labels will have to be displayed in the language of the country where the wine is sold; this would negate the one label option for all EU markets. The US Treasury Department is currently reviewing labelling requirements. Under consideration are requirements that US labels should include a data such as alcohol, protein and carbohydrate content. South Africa is also reviewing proposed regulations that labels for alcoholic beverages include one of seven health warnings (1. Alcohol reduces driving ability, Don't drink and drive. 2. Don't drink and walk on the road, alcohol kills. 3. Alcohol increases your risk to personal injuries. 4. Alcohol is a major cause of violence and crime. 5. Alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health. 6. Alcohol is addictive. 7. Drinking during pregnancy can be harmful to your unborn baby. ) Only in Canada has the tide seemingly turned. On April 7 th , the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Health voted to kill Bill C-206, a bill mandating warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers. The vote was carried 9 to 1 and appears to have passed following expert evidence that there is no proof of the efficacy of warning labels. (various FIVS reports) |
| The French Solve the Corked Wine Issue? |
Gérard Michal, a French scientist, has produced a pack he calls “Dream Taste”, which he claims can restore the taste and bouquet of wine affected by the 2,4,6 trichloroanisole (TCA) molecule found in some corks. The cost of this pack is 40 euros and has apparently won over quite a few critics. Laure Gasparatto, wine critic for Le Figaro, states: “The experience is surprising. Little by little, the taster perceives an extraordinary evolution in the wine. Its normal characteristics reappear.” With up to £341 million of wine found corked every year, this kit could be a real money saver. (Times Online, 9 May; Just-drinks.com) |
| Wine.com and Amazon.com in Partnership Deal |
A deal between Wine.com and Amazon.com has resulted in Wine.com becoming a featured partner on the Amazon.com website. Amazon customers will be given an introductory offer from Wine.com and will find links to various Wine.com offers, wines and gifts. Wine.com has experienced accelerated growth over the past year with increased sales of 40% from 2003 and over 100,000 customers. (Just-drinks.com) |
| James Maitland to leave Lay & Wheeler |
James Maitland is to leave Lay & Wheeler later this month to develop Private Sales at Seckford Wines. We wish him all the very best for the future. |
| Quote of the Week |
This wine is too good for toast-drinking, my dear. You don't want to mix emotions up with a wine like that. You lose the taste. Ernest Hemingway, Count Mippipopolous, The Sun Also Rises, 1926. |