US: Can an Advocacy Group for Wine Lovers Make a Difference?

(WineSpectator) - The 21st century has been a tumultuous, albeit productive, one for Drinkers' Rights, were one so inclined to dub the movement. The tug-of-war over where, when and how alcohol can be bought and consumed has played out everywhere from local community boards to state legislatures to the U.S. Congress and the Supreme Court.

In the past 10 years, interstate direct-to-consumer shipping has vastly expanded for wineries, but contracted for retailers; wholesalers continue to thrive and exert political influence despite claims that deregulated wine markets would drive them out of business; politicians perpetuate stereotypes of politicians by pandering to special interests. Yet somehow one group affected by each development—consumers—never seems to have a say. The founders of a new wine lovers' advocacy group hope they can change that.

The American Wine Consumer Coalition (AWCC) debuted last month. Its manifesto:

"The unique needs and desires of the American wine consumer have for too long been ignored by lawmakers as special-interest groups have used the legal and regulatory system to protect their own interests at the expense of consumers. This is neither fair nor in the interest of the wine consumer. Wine consumers have the right to be heard, to be part of the entire process devoted to the regulation of wine and to have access to the broad range of products in the national marketplace. Anything less is unacceptable."

Few could disagree that consumers do, in fact, deserve to be heard when their elected officials are making alcohol law. The coalition’s first step is to get the word out, both about itself and its initiatives.

By sending AWCC representatives to hearings and hiring lobbyists where appropriate, the organization will focus on four drinkers'-rights battlegrounds to start: direct shipment of wine from both wineries and retailers, wine sales in grocery stores, restaurant corkage and BYO laws, and privatization of state-run monopolies on wine sales and distribution.