Why is Brandy tasting prohibited by law in California?

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   Ari Lamsteinposted 13 years ago

   Why is Brandy tasting prohibited by law in California?
   
   I recently went wine tasting in Sonoma, California.  I went to a winery that makes both wine and brandy.  But while customers were allowed to taste the wine, there was a sign that said "Brandy tasting prohibited under California law."  In retrospect, I should have asked the staff why this law exists, but I didn't.  Does anyone know why?
   
   

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   mjkearnposted 13 years ago

   Hi Ari,
   
   Normally I don't give an answer to a question when I don't know what the answer is but your question has just depressed me. I'm a coffee, brandy and cigar type of guy with a passion for a particular Portugese Brandy but with tasting outlawed in California, I've had to take Ca off my wish to visit list and I so wanted to ride bikes there too,
   
   MJ.

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      Ari Lamsteinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I was surprised too!  In addition to being able to taste the wine, we could taste other after dinner drinks (e.g. sherry, and port).  The prohibition against Brandy really made no sense to me.

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   SidKempposted 13 years ago

   The reason "why" for any law is never clear. But I've reviewed the laws, and the logic seems to be mostly focused on preventing the general public from consuming a lot of alcohol for free. The total quantity of less alcoholic beverages is regulated, and free tastings to the general public of beverages of a higher proof are more restricted. The laws are complex. There are different rules for retailers and producers. And brandy seems to be in a category all its own. But the law did become more liberal recently. There is some debate that the law governing public tasting of liquor is designed to favor large manufacturers. Here are two links that may help you understand the issues:
   
   http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/Dai … 06114.aspx
   http://adiforums.com/index.php?showtopic=1251

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      Ari Lamsteinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer Sid!  Thanks so much for doing that research.  I had trouble finding links like the ones you gave.

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