A South African couple has been brought up on charges with respect to a claim on wine fraud. Kobus Terblanche, a former DGB executive (DGB is one of South Africa’s largest independent wine and spirits producers and distributors), and his wife had their passports seized upon their return to South…
Georgetown’s Winery Initiative Passes
Last week, on November 2nd, Georgetown voters overwhelming approved the bill known as the Winery Initiative and removed alcohol restrictions that were previously characteristic of the town. Voters approved this initiative “with about 77.8 percent voting in favor of changing Georgetown’s liquor laws.” (See Georgetown Residents Affirm Liquor Law Change,asserting…
Continuing Legal Education: What Is Wine Law?
Wine For Blondes, an excellent wine reference website, features the following video detailing the particularities of wine law and the development of wine law. The video itself was filmed for a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) session and gives an overview of exactly what wine law in the United States entails. For…
Washington, D.C. Next Battleground for Washington State Wholesalers
After their big victory in Washington State last week with respect to state constituents rejecting an initiative that would have allowed retailers to buy alcohol products directly from producers, wholesalers aim to target Washington, D.C. and push H.R. 5034 through the House. Wine Spectator recently posted an article, titled Wholesalers…
South African Liquor Law Changes
The City of Cape Town is to make changes to its new Liquor Trading Days and Hours by-law. The law, which was approved on July 28th of this past year, will now allow hotels within the city to to sell wine and other alcoholic beverages until 2 AM. The law,…
Chicago-Kent College of Law: War on Terroir
The Chicago-Kent College of Law Intellectual Property Law Society recently presented a lecture on geographical indications pertinent to wine law titled, “Geographical Indications of Origin and Trademark Law as they Pertain to Artisanal Cheese and Wine.” The professors featured in the following lecture are Professors Sarah Harding and Christopher Buccafusco….
Constellation and GModelo Reach Legal Settlement
On October 29, 2010, Constellation Brands, Inc. and GModelo Corporation (a subsidiary of Grupo Modelo, S.A.B. de C.V., Mexico’s leading brewer), announced a settlement with respect to a legal action GModelo brought against Constellation and affiliates in New York Supreme Court. The lawsuit, which was originally filed in federal court…
A1702: The Future of New Jersey’s Direct Shipment of Wine
A bill introduced by the New Jersey State Assembly, A1702, seeks to permit direct shipment from wineries to New Jersey consumers and would supplement Title 33 of the Revised Statutes. (An identical bill, titled S766, has already been passed by the New Jersey Senate.) A1702 would permit a “plenary winery…
New Composition Regulations for Swiss and Chinese Wines
Two countries—China and Switzerland—recently changed their rules with respect to composition of certain wine products. China altered its rules with about sulfites in wine products to ease international commerce. The Chinese Health Department created an amendment and presented it to the Chinese legislature to revise the rulings on food additives….
Additional Information on I-1100 and I-1105
As Election Day nears and the outcome for Washington State’s privatization of liquor sales will be determined, On Reserve felt it necessary to provide additional information with respect to I-1100 and I-1105 and local discussion from recent news publications. It is important for voters of Washington State to enter the…