Utah ranked dead last in wine friendly states report

(Sltrib) - Utah ranked dead last among the least wine-friendly states in the nation while California received an A-plus rating as the most consumer-friendly in a report from the Washington, D.C.-based American Wine Consumer Coalition.

"Utah wine consumers labor under the most restrictive laws in the nation, and that experience is nearly untenable for anyone who enjoys fine wine," said Tom Wark, executive director of the nonprofit coalition, which advocates for less strict alcohol laws.

Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, who writes most state liquor legislation, said Utah’s lowest ranking "is a badge of honor. It shows we take seriously the effects of alcohol on society."

The report, "Consuming Concerns: the 2013 State-by-State Report Card on Consumer Access to Wine," rated states on access and convenience in purchasing wine after asking wine lovers what was important to them.

The report noted a single advantage for Utah imbibers. State law allows consumers to "bring a bottle of wine from their own collection into a restaurant to enjoy with their meal."

But only Utah and Pennsylvania have liquor monopolies that control the retail sale of wine, "depriving consumers of the benefits of competition and free trade such as choice and lower prices," according to the report.

Utah also "arbitrarily prohibits the sale of wine on Sunday" when state-controlled stores are closed. The report noted that three other states, Indiana, Minnesota and Oklahoma, have imposed similar bans.