Wine sampling bill blocked by Senate committee
Alcohol • Opponents say plan open to abuse.
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A Senate committee rejected a bill Monday that would have enabled wine brokers to give samples of fine wines to buyers at restaurants.
Sen. Ross Romero's bill would have allowed licensed brokers to travel to restaurants or resorts to provide small samples of fine wines. The buyers could smell and taste the wine but not swallow.
He said that currently there is no effective way for buyers to sample wines, making it difficult for buyers to pair them with food at a restaurant or justify the expense on an unknown commodity.
The measure failed on a vote of 4-3, but Romero said he will try to bring it back for reconsideration.
Robert Gehrke