This week’s wine news: Three of the WC’s favorite subjects, none of which ever seem to be out of the news
• Plastic pipelines: Ukrainian border officials broke up a vodka smuggling ring last month that was sending the booze through plastic tubing across the Ukraine-Moldavia border. Thedrinksbusiness reports that the pipeline apparently started in Moldavia and ran for 300 meters (about 1000 feet), ending near the home of a Ukrainian citizen. It was discovered by border guards who detected “the characteristic smell of alcohol,” according to Ukrainian officials.
• More wine for c-stores! The pandemic continues to benefit wine sales in convenience stores, says the MarketWatch trade magazine. This is a trend we’ve noted many times on the blog, as more convenience stores are selling wine and have upgraded the quality of the wine they sell. In addition, it seems c-stores (as they’re known in the trade) are a fine way to reach younger wine drinkers. The story says that, by one measurement, “the millennial generation makes up 50% of the c-store consumer base.” Which, frankly, is an astonishing statistic and much different than in the past.
• Ah, Utah: The state, best known for some of the goofiest liquor laws in a country with lots and lots of goofy liquor laws, may bring back the sale of mini-bottles of wine and spirits. The state’s alcohol cops, noting that Utah was about the only state that didn’t allow small bottle sales, have approved a proposal for sales for 50 ml liquor and 187 ml wine in state-run and state-contracted liquor stores. Oh my. What’s next? Hard seltzers?