By BARBARA NOWAK
and BEVERLY PITTMAN
The Saucy Sisters, for Brentwood Home Page
When we arrived here from California years ago, we were shocked at the parochial laws governing the sale of wine.  We got used to the regulations.  We adapted, even if we didn’t like it.  But recent changes have given us cause to smile.

Free Samples

Getting a taste of a yummy food is all we need to take out our wallets and fork over money to buy.  We’re not unique in that way.  It’s why Costco stages men and ladies in hairnets all over their store to hawk samples of everything from meatballs to muffins.

Until this summer wine stores were prohibited from offering samples.  Tastings had to be held in a restaurant or bar, and the wine store owner had to apply to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a permit two weeks in advance. 

But all that has changed! 

You may have already noticed it.  Now when you walk into a wine store, you’re likely to be offered a taste of a variety of wines.

This loosening of rules just makes sense.  It’s good for the merchant who wants to sell you a bottle.  And it’s good for the customer who doesn’t necessarily want to risk her dollars on something she may not like when she gets home.  It’s freed us to try new wines we’ve never tasted before.

Tennessee is the 35th state to allow tastings in liquor and wine stores.

Doggy Bags

Last year a law was passed that allows an unfinished bottle of wine purchased in conjunction with a meal to be removed from the premises.  Yes, wine doggy bags!  Now, along with that box of unfinished steak, you can take the rest of your wine home too. 

We love the way things are shaping up for wine drinkers.

Cheers!

Barbara and Beverly 

The Saucy Sisters are wine and spirits experts with a twist. A twist of humor, that is, that they use in their books and in their live performances.  Their new book, The Saucy Sisters Guide to Wine – What Every Girl Should Know Before She Unscrews, will be published in October.   You can call them at 615-807-1743, email them at Saucies@SaucySisters.com or find them at www.SaucySisters.com.