Last spring some New York State wineries and wine shops were in an uproar over a proposed bill that would allow grocery stores to sell wine. It generated so much controversy that ultimately the bill was unsuccessful.

This past week I learned that a revision of this bill has been suggested that will allow grocery stores to sell wine and allow liquor stores to sell some items including decanters, snacks, gift bags and wine accessories.

For more information, read this article by State Senator Liz Krueger on “The Empire Page.”  Also, be sure to read the comments posted.

Lots of questions need to be discussed about this legislation! Will these changes be enough to garner the support of liquor and wine stores? Will more wineries lean towards supporting this legislation? Can the smaller wineries compete with grocery stores that can import inexpensive wines? Should we support the small wineries by keeping wine out of the grocery stores? Should other countries be allowed to export their wines into the US at a cost less than what it costs for US wineries to produce a bottle of wine?

While there are valid points on both sides of the issues, what is best for the American consumer – you and me?

Cheers, Kathy

Have you heard of the Wine Diaper? It is an interesting concept especially for those who like to carry their wine in their luggage. Does anyone really know what happens to his or her luggage after dropping it off at a check in counter?

The Wine Diaper was designed to protect clothing and other valuables from a potential broken bottle of wine. Red wines are notorious for staining clothes. If you have treasured clothing in your luggage and a bottle of red wine breaks, you may not be able to remove the stains.

According to the manufacturer of the Wine Diaper, if a bottle of wine breaks inside the “diaper,” the padded inside will absorb the wine and the plastic covering will keep it inside. The padding also helps to protect the bottle. The Wine Diaper is also suggested for protecting other breakable bottles containing liquids such as perfume and oil.

Now I have one wine diaper sent to me gratis, but I really don’t want to lose a bottle of red wine to experiment to see if it absorbs a whole bottle of wine. I think the concept is very good and that the wine diaper will relieve many worried about a potentially breakage but for a while when I’m traveling I will probably add a second cover.

My suggestions for the company would be to develop another smaller size. The current size is perfect for a standard size wine bottle. However, perfumes with smaller quantities do not need that size “diaper.” The deep fuchsia color plastic makes it easy to find but perhaps the developer can develop a sophisticated “coat” for the wine diaper. With a decorative “coat” the wine diaper would be appropriate to take a wine to a restaurant.

You can check out the “Wine Diaper” and purchase them online. Current Price: 3 for $15 or 25 for $75. Consider adding a Wine Diaper to a Christmas stocking.

Have you used a Wine Diaper yet? What was your experience?

Cheers! Kathy

With 28 wineries throughout the state, Connecticut has one wine trail that is divided into two sections. In 2009, twenty-six of these wineries are participating in a Passport program. While visiting a minimum of 14 of these wineries, participants receive a stamp in the Passport book. People who return the Passport by November 8, 2009 are eligible for prizes. Fifteen prizes are available with first and second prizes of a 13-night stay for two at Benalmadena Palace in Spain. Fifteen additional prizes are a weekend getaway at the Courtyard by Marriot in Norwich, CT.

Enjoy learning more about Connecticut wines and wineries and participate in the passport program for 2009.

We visited and wrote about several Connecticut wineries recently; reviews are on the Wine Trail Traveler website.

Enjoy visiting CT wineries!

Cheers! Kathy

Yesterday I had the opportunity to taste a raspberry flavored beer. Now I’m usually not into beer tastings. However I did have the opportunity to have a bottle of Raspberry Hefeweizen with 4.8% ABV. It is UFO, Harpoon’s Unfiltered Offering. This unfiltered wheat beer offered a raspberry aroma and even more raspberry on the taste. It’s an easy to drink beer. Suggested pairings are cheese, chocolate cake and pork.  If you enjoy wine, you may enjoy this beer produced by Harpoon Brewery in Boston, MA.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers! Kathy