Sip some beer, wine or hard liquor?
Taste testings could be as near as your neighborhood supermarket under legislation that passed the Legislature on Friday and went to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Supporters say Assembly Bill 605 would simply extend taste-tasting opportunities already available in many bars and restaurants to supermarkets and other large liquor outlets, but not to small convenience stores or gas stations.
The bill by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Cañada Flintridge, cleared its final legislative hurdle Friday when the Assembly voted 45-6, with 27 legislators abstaining.
Opponents complain that SB 605 is an irresponsible marketing gimmick - a liquor giveaway meant to introduce Californians to more varieties of alcohol in an attempt to hike future sales.
The proposal would bar minors from participating in the free taste testings, which could not serve more than three samples per day to any individual and must shut down by 9 p.m.
Single tastings of wine could not exceed one ounce, or distilled spirits, one-quarter ounce. Participants could not consume more than 8 ounces of beer per day at a free tasting.
SB 605 would require retailers to obtain a license for free taste tastings at an initial cost of $300 and an annual $261 renewal fee. Local government would have authority to decide whether issuance of a license is proper.
The bill was pushed by the California Retailers Association and numerous liquor companies.
PHOTO CAPTION: Teri Christy of Folsom was one of the many vodka tasters at Lounge on 20 in Sacramento, which hosted a vodka tasting Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Sacramento Bee/ Michael Allen Jones
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