This sign says it all. It’s one of many signs in all stores of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the provincial government monopoly that controls all importation, purchasing, marketing, sales, and taxation of wine and other alcoholic beverages. The same system and syndrome are true all across Canada’s other provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, … Read more

Like many states, Tennessee had a significant grape and wine industry in the 19th Century until Prohibition wiped it out. In fact, the US Department of Agriculture recorded 1,128 vineyard acres and 64,769 gallons in 1880, largely due to German immigrants. The modern grape and wine industry began taking shape in the 1970s with creation … Read more

Tariffs and Retaliation: Wine Suffers After delaying the imposition of widespread tariffs for a month, President Trump imposed them on March 4, bringing an immediate and painful response from trading partners like Canada, Mexico and China. The next day Canada said it would immediately sever electricity to several states (MI, MN, and NY, plus parts … Read more

South Dakota is one of the youngest wine states, officially starting in 1996 when Valiant Vineyards was opened. Given its cold winter climate, the state specializes in cold-hardy Minnesota grape varieties as well as other fruits. Belle Joli’ Winery, whose name was inspired by the beauty of the land, is the passion of Matthew and … Read more

WineAmerica DC Fly-In While WineAmerica is based in Washington, given its function to advocate on federal public policy, only Michael Kaiser actually lives and works there (I live and work in New York’s fabulous Finger Lakes region, with monthly trips to DC.) But we have one major gathering each year: a “Fly-In” for which our … Read more