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[mrdutton]

I haven't bought Gallo wine since I was a teenager.

I sat down today and composed letters to each of my state and federal legislators. I asked them for their position on the issue of free trade. I wanted to know why I can legally have wine shipped to me from any dealer in Virginia, but not from any dealer of my choice (who happens to be out of state).

I really am fed up. I've been looking for Rosemount GSM, Stag's Leap Petite Sirah, Ridge Petite Sirah and Columbia Crest Cab for the past five days. None of the legal sources in Virginia that I've been able to check have these wines. But if WS gave a wine 90+ points or a "best buy", then those wines are easy to find, until they sell out. Our local wine merchant was only allocated 13 cases of Rosemount GSM. It disappeared on the first day he put it up for sale. He can't get anymore at all....... period. Now I realize that he can't stock all of the Rosemont, but if he runs out and more is available then he ought to be able to order it. Allocation, schmallocation, that is bullhockey.

I spoke at length with one wine merchant today. He was not even aware of the fact that the Viriginia ABC is being sued. But he sure was interested in hearing about it. He is as frustrated as I am. He wants to stock his shop with a wide variety of good wines and he can't, because the distributors don't carry the wines he wants and he can't buy from anyone else.

I have a local senator, a local delegate, a Congressman and two US Senators. Their mailboxes are going to be inundated as long as I have paper, envelopes and stamps!

[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 03-04-2000).]