Nov 2009 Final Issue

12 Great Gift Packs for 2009The Beverage Network presents its annual gift guide, showcasing the season’s best holiday packaging. 26 What’s New at Diageo?Diageo stays committed to rolling out inventive new products. 30 Cognac’s Urban DevelopmentThe luxury French brandy finds broader appeal. 36 Courvoisier: Not Just for SippingWith the mixable Exclusif, Courvoisier makes Cognac more accessible. 38 Sherry, BabySpain’s famed fortified wine finds a new groove in cocktails.

features

November 2009 bay state beverage guide 3

1a brand index

23a abCC deCisions

29a MassaChusetts LiCense saLes & transfers

Brand Index

contents

4 Publisher’s Page

6 Insider’s View

10 Talkin’ Tech

44 New Products & Promotions

45 Newsfront

46 On-Premise Viewpoint

46 Off-Premise Viewpoint

47 Around Town

49 Shopping Network

departments

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4 bay state beverage guide November 2009

Bay State Beverage Guide Massachusetts Edition

Volume 1, No. 11

Bay State Beverage Guide is devoted to the interests and welfare of the retail spirits, wine and beer licensees of Massachusetts. Published monthly by Vinegar Hill LLC, D/B/A Bay State Beverage Guide, 84 Sherman Street, Cambridge, MA 02140. Telephone: 617-864-1677. Fax: 617-864-1655. Subscription rates are: United States - $60 per year; Canada - $75 per year; Foreign - $99 per year. Postmaster, please send changes to: Bay State Beverage Guide, 84 Sherman Street, Cambridge, MA 02140. Nothing may be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Contents copyrighted 2009 by Vinegar Hill LLC.

PublisherTerence F. Connaughton

[email protected]

editoriaL

Managing EditorKristen Wolfe Bieler

EditorAlia Akkam

Assistant Editor Ariel Boorstin

Contributing EditorsDale DeGroff, Mary Ewing-Mulligan, David T. Kratt, Jeffery Lindenmuth,

Ed McCarthy, Gregg Glaser, W.R. Tish, Jean K. Reilly

art & design

Art DirectorLarry Lee

Graphic DesignerDana Buonincontri

Assistant DesignerJosue Romero

advertising

Terence F. Connaughton617-864-1677

[email protected]

publisher’s page

It could be that this is your first issue or that you “skim” us more than you

“read” us. Either way, you may not be aware that in every issue of Bay

State Beverage Guide, we include a sec-tion known as “decisions”. They aren’t Letterman-like Top 10 decisions our staff makes every month; they are decisions made by the folks at Massachusetts Alco-hol Beverage Control Commission. The decisions apply the requirements of state law to specific businesses and specific practices and they address a wide range of issues across the entire three-tier sys-tem, from whether a retailer is granted a certain type of license from the local au-thorities, to whether or not a wholesaler is approved or denied a certain brand or product from a supplier.

Now, I hate to be master of the obvi-ous but as the saying goes, there are some things that do bear repeating. These decisions are public record and they are common practice within the industry and across the country. Our intention of course, is not to embarrass, but rather to inform through “lessons learned”. As a matter of fact, we’d love nothing more than to be able to stamp these words across a blank page “as a result of flawless commitment to responsible retailing by each and every one of the 12,000 Massa-chusetts retail licensees, the ABCC had no decisions to make this month”.

Now don’t laugh, because if Brad Krevor PhD, President of Responsible Retailers Forum, has his way, the deci-sions page may not be blank, but it could look a lot different. Located in our own backyard, Waltham’s RRF is a nationally recognized and leading organization that

brings public and private stakeholders together, including regulatory and en-forcement agencies, attorneys general, retailer associations, distributors, suppli-ers and researchers to identify and share best practices in preventing the underage sale of age-restricted products. I have met with Brad and I have seen their work, which is why I wasn’t surprised to read that RRF were recently awarded a small business innovation research grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse. This grant will allow Brad Krevor and his team to do more good work and share more best practices.

And the timing couldn’t be any better. You may have read the Globe article re-cently about the Newton store cited “after 90 minors tried to buy alcohol”. Although the true facts are murky and the article ambiguous at best, it’s probably safe to say that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. How this particular incident went down and why consumers caught using a Fake ID aren’t charged legally is a story for an-other day. But until then, Responsible Re-tailing should be more than just a concept; it should be a part of who we are and what we do, all of us, every day.

Terence Connaughton, Publisher

[email protected]

Decisions, Decisions....


AROUND THE STATE

BOSTON: NEW REGUlATIONS fOR ClEANING KITChEN ExhAUST SySTEMSStarting on January 1, 2010, all restaurants will be required to have their exhaust sys-tems inspected according to the schedule:

The person(s) conducting the inspection must hold a certificate of competency from the state fire marshal. The inspection is de-signed to evaluate the level of grease build-up inside all hoods, ducts, grease removal devic-es and fans. There are two levels of certificate of competency available: a restricted certifi-cate of competency (Type 2) for owners who would like to clean their own commercial cooking operation, and an unrestricted for those holding themselves out to the general public for business (Type 1).

WINE ShIPPING DECISION REVISITEDThe Family Winemakers of California will ask a panel of judges to overturn an earlier decision in the Bay State that bars wineries producing more than 30,000 gallons a year from shipping wine directly to consumers

in the state. The 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in Fam-ily Winemakers of California v. Jenkins in early November.

RESPONSIBlE RETAIlING fORUM RECOGNIzED fOR EffORTS TO COMBAT UNDERAGE DRINKINGWaltham-based Responsible Retailing Fo-rum, a leading organization in preventing underage sales of age-restricted products, has been awarded a Small Business Innova-tion Research grant from the National Insti-tute of Drug Abuse. The grant will allow the RRF to further develop a new model for pre-venting alcohol sales to underage and intox-icated customers, bolstering RRF’s ongoing efforts to curb underage drinking. The new method has already been pilot tested and demonstrated strong improvements in age-verification rates in studies in New Mexico, Iowa and Massachusetts. Led by president Brad Krevor Ph.D., RRF’s model involves a holistic approach to unlawful sales preven-tion by not only providing tools and effec-tive systems for the store environment but also encouraging cooperation among retail-ers and their suppliers, regulators and public health and safety in a cooperative, problem-solving approach to underage access and alcohol abuse.

lEGISlATURE TO CONSIDER lEGAlIzING CANNABISThe state legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue held hearings on H 2929, “an act to regulate and tax the cannabis industry,”. Modeled after Chapter 138 of the Massa-chusetts General Laws, the Alcohol Bever-age Control Act, the bill allows those over 21 to cultivate cannabis for their personal use and to give cannabis to others over 21 years of age; provide for creation of a Can-nabis Control Authority, analogous to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, to oversee the issuance of cultivation licenses, process-ing licenses, trade licenses, retail licenses,

import licenses, research licenses and farm-er-processor-retailer licenses; and the bills establish licensing fees and excises taxes on cannabis sold at retail. Identical legislation filed in the Senate as S. 1801 is pending be-fore the Committee on the Judiciary.

hOUSE ADVANCES BAR, RESTAURANT lIABIlITy INSURANCE BIllAll establishments licensed to serve alcohol on-premises would be required to purchase a liability insurance policy under a proposal advancing in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The bill (H 947), filed by Rep. Peter Koutoujian, chairman of the Fi-nancial Services Committee, would require such policies to be in place in order for an establishment to receive or renew its liquor license. The policy would have to include a minimum $250,000 cap for cases in which one person is injured or killed, and $500,000 cap for injuries or deaths involving multiple people. The bill received initial approval in the House. State law doesn’t require bars to purchase liability insurance, but 88 cities and towns require such policies as a condi-tion of licensing, Koutoujian said. The bill, if passed, would make such insurance man-datory for bar owners across Massachusetts. He estimated that 30% to 40% of establish-ments statewide have a policy that would meet the requirements in the bill.

WINEMAKERS PUSh TO SEll AT fARMER’S MARKETSA group representing winemakers, with the support of state agriculture officials, is push-ing to change state law to permit wine to be sold at the roughly 200 farmers’ markets that are held each week in Massachusetts. Citing nearly three dozen farm wineries and vineyards from Cape Cod to the Berkshires, Sen. Jamie Eldredge, D-Acton, calls wine-making a “hidden secret” of Massachusetts’ agriculture. Eldredge is the lead sponsor of a bill that would permit wine tastings and sales at farmers’ markets.

Legislative Update

insider’s View

Type or Volume of Cooking

Inspection Frequency

Systems serving solid fuel cooking operations

Monthly

Systems serving high-volume cooking operations such as 24-hour cooking, charbroiling or wok cooking

Quarterly

Systems serving moderate-volume cooking operations

Semi-annually

Systems serving low-volume cooking operations such as churches, day camps, seasonal businesses or senior centers

Annually


ABCC’S TED MAhONy NAMED lIqUOR lAW GROUP PRESIDENTLiquor law enforcement agents around the United States and Canada have voted to give a promotion to the chief agent of the Massachusetts Alcohol-ic Beverages Control Commission. Frederick “Ted” Mahony was recently elected to serve as president of the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association. A number of Canadian ABCC agencies, along with all 50 of this country’s agencies, are members of the NLLEA. Through the enforce-ment of liquor laws the organization aims to prevent underage access to al-cohol, drunk driving, illegal gambling and drug use. Mahony’s primary focus as president of the NLLEA will be to develop standardized training pro-grams for agents throughout North America. Mahony was recognized as recently as 2004 as the national agent of the year for his leadership in ensur-ing effective liquor law enforcement in Massachusetts.

fOxBOROUGh: BOARD TO ACCEPT EARly-POURING lIqUOR REqUESTSFoxborough selectmen have agreed to allow local restaurants and others with liquor licenses to apply to begin pouring cocktails with food service at 11 a.m. on weekends, an hour earlier than the state mandates. Supporters say the effort will fulfill a need expressed by some establish-ments that the extra time would make a big difference in weekly business. Own-ers of Lake View Pavilion, a 20-year-old special events facility on Lakeview Road, recently asked selectmen for per-mission to serve alcohol an hour earlier on weekends. Selectmen approved that application during a regular meeting, then agreed to let all town restaurants, and others with liquor licenses, apply for the same privilege.

READING: BOARD Of SElECTMEN DENIES lIqUOR lICENSETown Selectmen rejected two separate applications for a single all-alcoholic beverage license that became available when the Atlantic Supermarket closed last winter. By a 5-0 vote, the Board rejected an application from Wine Na-tion, sometimes called “the Wal–Mart of wine stores,” which had expressed an interest in occupying the former Linens n’ Things at 40 Walkers Brook Drive.While the store would specialize in wine, carrying about 8,000 variet-ies, it would also sell a large selection of beer and liquor. An application by Wine Nation to open a similar store in Braintree was also denied last July.

SAUGUS: ROllER WORlD ACCEPTS $450G SETTlEMENT After nearly a decade of skating around the court system, Roller World has ended its suit against the town af-ter agreeing to a $450,000 settlement. Roller World owner Jerry Breen ac-cepted the offer, which was to cover revenue lost during the three years he was denied the right to hold after-hours parties. Breen took the town to court in 2000 when the Palace Enter-tainment Complex, Spin and other area nightclubs were allowed to hold after-hours parties but he was not. He appealed the selectmens’ decision and eventually won the right to hold the parties. His victory, however, was short-lived. By 2003 the town passed a bylaw effectively putting an end to all late-night parties.

insider’s View

Learn about seLLing Wine onLine

Sign up for our next Webinar on Thursday, November 17th, 2009

at 10am EST. See how a store uses the BMG eCommerce system to maintain

and promote products on a website. For more information visit:

bevnetwork.com/retailweb


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talkin tech by Ian Griffith

O ver the past five years there has been a significant shift in the way we use the Internet. We have heightened expecta-tions and want to interact with websites in different ways. The biggest trend that has impacted behavior is the growth

of social media. The Pew Internet Project reports that 35% of adults on-line now have a profile on a site like Facebook, LinkedIn or MySpace, up from 8% in 2005.

As Jim Novo of Marketing Productivity puts it, “Until fairly recently the online space was about brand and advertising, not relationships. Now the web has decided it will be all about relationships, which is very cool. The web is perfect for that approach.” Is your website helping to include you in the conversations that are happening online?

At Beverage Media Group (the service provider to Bay State Bever-age Guide), we have unveiled a new platform that raises the bar for the online wine shopping experience. This new platform allows a retailer to execute a social strategy that strengthens a customer’s relationships with his or her friends. The goal is to unlock the group dynamics potential of social networks to spread word of mouth about your store.

On our system we make the sharing of links very easy. The Share-This icon appears both on search results and the product pages, allow-ing for messages to be posted to Twitter, Facebook and emailed directly from the website.

We make prominent use of customer reviews that are displayed along-side ratings from wine critics. When visitors to your site leave a comment they are asked to enter their email address. If this address is registered with Gravatar (globally recognized avatars) your customer’s image will automat-ically show alongside their review. Facebook and Twitter logins can be of-fered as alternatives which place your customers’ profile pictures alongside their comments. For stores that want to take this even further, Facebook Connect can be configured so customer reviews written on the website are posted directly to your customer’s news feed.

Our platform includes several other upgrades which raise the level of the shopping experience:n A mini shopping cart sits on each page and updates automatically when

items are added to the cart.n The product browse on the left navigation narrows dynamically as a

customer makes their way through your inventory. This makes it easier for them to find the most relevant set of products.

n Product pages have their information organized in tabs instead of a long list, making it easier to identify relevant information.

n A list of related products shows recommendations for products in a similar category or price point.

You can become a part of the conversation online by attracting cus-tomers to your Facebook page or Twitter account. But you will reach a new audience when your customers are sharing information about your website with their friends.

To learn more about how Beverage Media can help with a website for your store, visit bevsites.com, contact Ian Griffith at 617-864-1677 or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/bevsites.

Raising the Bar on Retailer E-Commerce

GOLDEN BAR AWARDS

On, September 10, 2009, Diageo honored the country’s lead-ing spirits, wine and beer distributors with the announce-ment of the Sixth Annual Golden Bar Award winners.

“We are proud to honor the best of the best across beer, wine and spirits, and our desire to pay tribute to them remains stronger than ever. Congratulations to all of our 2009 nominees and win-ners for their remarkable achievements,” said Ivan Menezes, Presi-dent and CEO, Diageo NA.

Diageo hosts the Golden Bar Awards every year, the bever-age alcohol industry’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, to celebrate distributors and brokers from across the United States for their excellence in the marketplace and the important role they play in their communities. This year, given the economic climate,

Diageo elected to alter the format from a gala event, and instead honored nominees and winners online at www.DiageoGoldenBars.com.

Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo USA, said, “The year’s chal-lenges in the economy and the industry have made us more keenly aware and appreciative of the outstanding work of our distributors than ever.” This year Diageo has also introduced a new award – the Platinum Bar - that recognizes the best distributor in promoting responsible drinking.

In total, 32 statuettes made of 24 carat gold were delivered to the winners. Each Golden Bar statuette weighs eight pounds, stands more than a foot tall and is produced by R.S. Owens, the company that created the Oscar®, presented at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

DIAGEO HONORS AMERICA’S LEADING SPIRITS, WINE & BEER DISTRIBUTORS AT SIXTH ANNUAL GOLDEN BAR AWARDS

THE 6TH ANNUAL

1. (Front Row) - Ray Herrmann, Chairman, CSG; Ivan Menezes, President, Diageo NA/Chairman, Asia Pacific; Kevin Dunn, President of Washington Wholesale and Reliable Churchill; Steve Conroy, General Sales Manager/VP, Alliance Division, Reliable Churchill; Rob Schoenfelder, On Premise Sales Manager, Alliance Division, Reliable Churchill; Greg Baird, EVP Sales, CSG; Don Davolio, Business Development Manager, Alliance Division, Reliable Churchill(Back Row) - Hal Hindin, Sales Director -MD/DE/DC- Diageo Mid-Atlantic Team; Kevin O’Neil, President/ EVP Sales, US Spirits, Diageo NA; Alison Forrestal, General Manager, Diageo Mid-Atlantic Team; Charles Merinoff, CEO and Co-Chairman, CSG; Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo USA; and Joe Davolio, EVP Supplier and Partner Relations, CSG

2. (Left to Right) - Greg Baird, EVP Sales, CSG; Ray Herrmann, Chairman, CSG; Kevin Dunn, President of Washington Wholesale and Reliable Churchill; Charles Merinoff, CEO and Co-Chairman, CSG; Stuart Weisshaar, Vice President/ GSM, Pinnacle House, Washington Wholesale; Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo USA and Joe Davolio, EVP Supplier and Partner Relations, CSG

3. Dan Bresnahan, General Sales Manager, Wright Wisner Distributing; Rich Rice, General Manager, B.E. Wright Distributing; Claude Wright, Owner/CEO Wright Wisner Companies; Mike Sassone, Sales Manager, B.E. Wright Distributing; Nick Palmiero, Area Manager, C.H. Wright Distributing; Pat Sargent, Chain Manager, Wright Wisner Companies; Micky Dever, Chain Manager, Wright Wisner Companies; Ed Barry, Brand Manager, Wright Wisner Distributing; Larry Smith, COO, Wright Wisner Companies Not Pictured, Dean Kendall, General Manager, C.H. Wright

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2009 WINNERS:A complete list of nominees and winners can be viewed at www.DiageoGoldenBars.com

DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR - SPIRITS - RELIABLE CHURCHILL (MD) DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR - WINES - WASHINGTON WHOLESALE (DC)

DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR - BEER - WRIGHT WISNER COMPANIES (NY)

Diageo_GoldenBar_National.indd 1 10/12/09 3:35:35 PM

1 Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2009 DEBUTS THROUGH CAPE CLASSICS Born out of the realization that there were few options avail-

able to consumers seeking quality sweet red wine, fresh, fruity, semi-sweet Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2009 aims to fill that void. Most of the grapes are grown in South Africa’s Paarl, a region with a Rhône-like climate that is ideal for Shiraz cultivation. SRP: $11.99 Visit www.capeclassics.com

2 Panther Rock Wine Company LAUNCHES WILD HARE WINES Panther Rock Wine Company, recently created by the fourth

generation of the Franzia family, which began producing wine in California in 1896, has launched Wild Hare Wines. Fresh, fun, casual and made for enjoyment with friends, the Wild Hare portfolio boasts Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, all with a SRP of $6.99. Contact (707) 265-4060; Wild Hare Winery, Paso Robles, CA

3 Irish Mist UNVEILS NEW PACKAGE DESIGN Irish Mist has revealed a new, dramatically different package

designed to position the spirit as an accessible mixer and approachable beverage for every social occasion. The taller

bottle takes its inspiration from the Irish whiskey category itself and can be found in bars and stores alongside the liqueur’s

namesake base spirit. SRP: $27.99. Visit www.irishmist.com

4 Beluga Vodka ARRIVES IN THE U.S. Beluga Vodka, manufactured in an environmentally pure and

untouched corner of Siberia, has recently launched in the U.S. Beluga undergoes processes of quartz and sand filtration and is matured for three months to create a pure malt alcohol of exquisite quality. SRP: $34.99 Visit www.sygroup.ru/en/

5 Ardbeg LAUNCHES NEW, LIMITED COLLECTION ‘DOUBLE BARREL’ Ardbeg has officially launched its new and extremely limited

‘Double Barrel’ collection, containing two 1974 barrels of Ardbeg, bottled separately, with one containing cask number 3145, and the other, 3524. Presented in a hand-stitched bridle leather case, made by the same craftsmen who produce shot gun cases for Purdey, the case also includes an Omas pen and eight silver drinking cups designed and engraved by Scotland’s top silversmiths. Visit www.ardbeg.com

6 Glenfiddich RELEASES ‘THE DISTILLERY EDITION’ IN THE UNITED STATES

For the first time ever, Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, has released its ‘Distillery

Edition’ single malt whisky in very limited quantities in the U.S. Bottled at 102 Proof (51% ABV), the non chill-filtered Glenfiddich aims to appeal to whisky explorers and enthusiasts looking for a characteristically elegant Glenfiddich with a slightly higher strength. SRP: $59.99 Visit www.grantusa.com

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NEW PRODUCTS & PROMOTIONS

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ARDBEG ‘DOUBLE BARREL’

is a collection of two 1974 barrels. It is presented in a hand-stitched

bridle leather case and also includes an Omas pen and eight

silver drinking cups.

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BUllDOG lONDON DRy GIN ARRIVES IN MASSAChUSETTS

Following BULLDOG London Dry Gin success in New York and London, it is now available in Massachussets through Horizon Beverage. BULLDOG is a super-premium gin handcrafted in Lon-don, and is the only gin ever to be in-fused with an exotic melange of botani-cals that includes lavender, lotus leaves, poppy and dragon-eye (cousin of the ly-chee fruit). It is quadruple-distilled with a clean, crisp finish and incredibly versa-tile, making it ideal for mixed cocktails.

BULLDOG earned the highest rat-ing given to a gin by Wine Enthusiast magazine (90-95 “Superb/Highly Rec-ommended”) and was included in Wine Enthusiast “Top 50 Spirits of 2008”. For more information, please visit: www.BulldogGin.com.

KAhlÚA SPICES UP hOlIDAy SAlES WITh lIMITED RElEASE SPICED hOlIDAy NOGKahlúa is once again expand-ing its family of premium offer-ings this holiday season with the limited edition return of the favorite Kahlúa Spiced Holiday Nog ready-to-drink liqueur. Kahlúa Spiced Holiday Nog offers consumers an indulgent twist on the classic eggnog and retailers the opportu-nity to boost sales during the year’s most critical selling period. Available in limited release through December, Kahlúa Spiced Holiday Nog is made with a blend of premium coffee, cream and spices and will be available in a 1.75L size with a SRP of $14.99.

BACARDI UNVEIlS NEW GlOBAl MUlTI-MEDIA ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNBacardi is pleased to unveil its new glob-al multi-media advertising campaign,

entitled “Spirit of BACARDI,” with its first in-stallment, the “Island.” The “Island” com-mercial show-cases a group of legal drinking age adults who escape their ordinary day by boat and build their very own island, repre-senting the memorable adventures we seek to enrich our lives. Celebrating the “Spirit of BACARDI” and the qualities of optimism, inclusiveness, imagination and positivity, the spot embodies the brand’s “Latin Spirit.”

ANhEUSER-BUSCh lAUNChES BUD lIGhT GOlDEN WhEAT NATIONWIDE Inspired by consumer interest in more flavorful light beers and the growing popularity of wheat brews, Anheuser-Busch introduces Bud Light Golden Wheat. This unfil-tered wheat beer brewed with citrus and a hint of coriander has the superior drinkability of Bud Light. For more information visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

JACK POUST & COMPANy OffERS lES TOURS qUINTETJack Poust & Company, importer of fine wines since 1945, has recently started offering the Les Tours Quin-tet, certified environmentally–friendly wine varietals featuring Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Merlot.

DOUBlE CROSS VODKA COMES TO MASSAChUSETTSDouble Cross Vodka has entered Massa-chusetts through its distributor, Horizon Beverage Co., after already having a pres-ence in New York and New Jersey. Dis-tilled in Slovakia and imported by Old Nassau Imports, it has a SRP of $44.99 to $49.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

newsfront


Recently, the MRA was the only organization to testify against a bill that was heard before the Joint Committee on Transpor-tation that would require Ignition Interlock Devices. These

devices require an operator to blow into them in order to start the car. I am sure that there were others who sent in written testimony, however.

This bill, Senate 1125, would require these installed on the au-tomobiles of all first-time offenders convicted of operating under the influence of alcohol. Furthermore, it should be noted, that the devices will not activate the ignition unless the operator blows a BAC(blood alcohol content) of .02 or below. The device requires that the operator continues to blow into it at various intervals while driving in order to safeguard against someone using another person’s breath in starting their car.

Of course, this is a very emotional issue to anyone who has suf-fered a loss as a victim of a drunk driver. The MRA understands this and points out that our operators are not immune from such losses and care about the carnage caused by those not drinking responsi-bly. However, we think that an interlock device for someone with a first-offense and a BAC just over .08 is extreme and that it would create fear in those that are presently drinking responsibly and driv-ing responsibly.

First time offenders already face hefty fines, loss of license and mandatory educational courses. To most people, the shame and em-barrassment of having acted inappropriately is a severe punishment. To suggest that a person who is slightly over .08 is a menace to society and, therefore, needs the further humiliation of a lock–out device seems extreme. These devices are required for second-time offenders which seems far more appropriate as the second offense suggests that the offender has not learned his or her lesson. The MRA did not contest this bill when it became law.

However, the difference between someone being .08 and .085 could be the difference of just a few pounds of body weight or in the snacks that identical people had while having a cocktail. It was only a few years ago that .10 was the legal limit. Then, it was changed to .08. Do we really need to go to these measures?

The MRA is against drunk driving. We are for the responsible service of alcohol and provide ServSafe Alcohol training to any op-erator who requests it. However, this is a bill that goes too far. This is a bill that we fear would create fear in very normal people who drink responsibly and create no threat on the highway and would do very little to prevent the problem-drinking repeat offender from offending again.

Peter Christie is a veteran of the restaurant industry. he is currently president and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, a position that he has held for the past 20 years. Prior to this, he owned and operated three restaurants with his family.

on-premise Viewpoint by Peter Christie

The Question of Ignition Interlock Devices

W ell, where do we go from here? The recent reports touting the vast divide between revenue projec-tions and actual collections in our fair state con-

tinue to underscore the fact that Massachusetts is in fiscal crisis mode. No doubt, our legislature is deliberating over every possible idea that could raise revenue including tax-ing pre-schoolers for bringing their lunch or broadening our current 6.25% sales tax to reign in our used cellular air time, possibly including those infamous, unused minutes. After all, it is a benefit that we receive, no different than a pony for our birthday, or the cake stuffed with candles. Hey, wait a minute, that’s not such a bad idea after all, everyone has a birthday—right?

Gone are the days of the cash cow package stores when absentee owners were abundant, spending lots of time on va-cation, spending the cash. You couldn’t make a wrong deci-sion and hurt yourself. Now we are paying more attention, buckling up, tightening belts and making more cost-con-scious decisions which is not a bad thing, and probably what we should have been doing all along—being better manag-ers. We still hear reports of the enormous commissions and financial incentives that the federal bailout helped to fund while the banking institution continues to use the current economic crisis as a mantra for having an 800 credit score.

Yes, there are alot of us who have been living on bor-rowed time, just hoping that in time, we would be able to catch up; many who have invested heavily in their own fu-ture and borrowed significantly to make that happen only to see the surrounding financial support system force them to go cold turkey. The whole credit card industry is well aware of the depth to which the average person uses credit and the resulting impact when those terms are altered in any shape, way or form. It seems to me that there is a unique similarity between the paper that backs all of the money that the good old USA has been using for our federal bailout and the paper that forms the basis and foundation for many of the small businesses throughout the country of every type, except for one small fact: no other country holding American paper has yet to call the loan. Would we default? Is there a crisis of untold magnitude that potentially lies out there in the form of our overspending? Could America actually go cold turkey the way that the financial institutions and banking industry have forced upon the small business sector? Stay tuned. Peter Kessel is the owner of ThE WINExPRESS and past president of The MA Package Stores Association. The views and comments expressed above are personal and should not be construed to represent any opinions or official statement of any organization or entity.

“Bloviating”

off-premise Viewpoint by Peter Kessel


M.S. WAlKER hOlDS ANNUAl fAll TASTING The M.S. Walker Company held its annual fall tasting event at the scenic Seaport Hotel. The event was very lively and well-attended by many of the Massachusetts on-premise and off-premise retail trade along with M.S. Walker suppliers and trade employees. In addition to a great portfolio of wine and spirit brands and products to sample, guests of M.S. Walker were treated to fun, food and entertainment while they networked.

around town

BElVEDERE Ix lAUNCh PARTyBelvedere IX (pronounced One-X) is the new luxury spirit from Moët-Hennessy’s Belvedere Vodka that brings “the best in vodka quality and innovation to the nightclub scene”. Blended with nine natural and individually distilled ingredients, Belvedere IX kicked off its local launch in fine fashion at Bond Restaurant & Lounge, one of Boston’s hottest and trendy nightclubs. Niels Vuijsters, Bond Restaurant & Lounge F&B

director and Gaylord Lamy, Asst F&B director Gabby Salas, United Liquors; Jim Jermyn, United Liquors and Terry Connaughton, BSBG

Jack Cooperstein, Classic Wines and his wife Susie

John Mansfield, LifeSet; Caitlin Trombetta and Bobby Dell’Orfano, LifeSet

DA VINCI RISTORANTE PRESENTS ThE CONNOISSUER’S TOUR Of ITAly On October 8th, Park Square’s premier Italian eat-ery, Da Vinci Ristorante, and Domaine Select Wine Estate’s Northeast division manager, Daniel Burgio, combined forces to host “The Connoisseur’s Tour of Italy.” The five-course specialty Italian wine din-ner revealed a great evening of executive chef Pep-pino’s masterful culinary creations expertly paired with Burgio’s vineyard choices for the perfect wine compliment. Burgio introduced each course and provide a brief commentary on the selections alongside Chef Peppino.

Mike and Becky Shiaris Amanda Finnerty and Mike Rykbost

Chef Peppino, Da Vinci Ristorante; Daniel Burgio, Domaine Select and Jack Burns

Daniel Burgio, Domaine Select; Richard Auffrey and Dale Cruse

Jason Williams, Glendale Package Store and Jay Logan, GPS Wine & Spirits

Ben Weiner, Sav-Mor Spirits and Stewart Paul, Kappy’s Liquors

Sam Simmons, Balvenie Brand Ambassador; Nayanka Crayton, Results Marketing and Charlotte Voisey, William Grant & Sons Kristen Kelly, Svedka Vodka

hORIzON BEVERAGE hOlDSfAll lUxURy WINE TASTINGHorizon Beverage Company held its annual Fall Luxury Wine Tasting event at the Top of the Hub restaurant, located on the 50th floor of the Pruden-tial Center. Overlooking beautiful downtown Bos-ton, the event was very well-attended by the on- and off-premise retail trade along with Horizon Beverage suppliers and trade employees. In addition to a great portfolio of wine brands and products to sample, re-tail guests of Horizon Beverage were treated to some fantastic food and entertainment.

around town

2009 NIGhTlIfE AWARDS hElD AT PARADISE lOUNGEWith music, comedy, and celebrity entertainment, the 2009 Nightlife Awards more than delivered on its promise to be the most exciting industry event of the year. It was standing room only at the Paradise Lounge on Monday, October 5th for the 3rd Annual Nightlife Awards. The event is dedicated to rec-ognizing key players in Greater Boston’s nightlife industry with awards that offer “the cream of the nightlife crop”. Dirty Water TV was on hand to turn the celebration into an exciting television produc-tion that will air on NESN in the following weeks.

Chris Boyle, Black Rose accepts the Nightlife Award from former Patriot and current Dirty Water TV host Christian Fauria

Accepting the Nightlife Award for Best Sports Bar, is the Greatest Bar’s Peter Lucido, Michael Khalil, Steve Levy and Bill Fairweather.

Mark Hellendrung, Narragansett Beer and Troy Brown, former New England Patriot presented Best Neighborhood Bar Nightlife Award to Tavern

John Donohue, Donahue’s Bar & Grill and Brian McEleney, Anheuser-Busch

fIRST ANNUAl fREEDOM WINE TASTING hElD AT WESTINThe First Annual Freedom Wine Tasting, held by the New Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Massachu-setts, took place at the Westin Hotel in Waltham on October 8th. A collaboration of 19 wine & spirits wholesalers from around the Bay State combined their resources to deliver this unique and well-at-tended trade show. In addition to the vast array of high-quality wines and spirits, guests were treated to delicious food accompanied by some acoustic guitar as they sampled new products.

Baystate Wine Co’s Ed Gillooly, Peter Lucas, and Rob Gillooly

Shakil, Bikram Singh, Andy’s Market; and Sunny Patel, Larry’s Package Store

CIberian Wine Importers owner Gary Kline and Cassie Pappin

Glenn Lawler and Rene Borda of Horizon Beverage Steve Foohey from Brown-Forman

Tim Fleming, Horizon Beverage with Patty and Bill Giannopoulos of Friendly Discount Liquors

Tim Murphy, Horizon Beverage and Chris Cane, Finale Restaurant

Ed Conrad, Austin Liquors samples some quality wines from Horizon

Gregory Berman, Arborway Imports; Dave Elkins, Sun Wholesale; and Anthony Bruneau, Arborway Imports

Erin Mercolino and Sarah Varney, J.Polep

Jordan Dunn, Sun Wholesale & Scott Wagner, Wine House

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Nov 2009 Final Issue

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