Senate Speakers Says “Wine In Grocery Stores” Bill Still Alive – Sort Of

The speaker of the Tennessee Senate says a move to sell wine in grocery stores isn’t exactly dead. Speaker Ron Ramsey says the move to let grocery stores sell wine, which is currently sold only in liquor stores, is probably going to come back in 2009.

“I just don’t think those grapes had ripened yet, OK? (laughter). It takes just a while, for these things to happen.”

Sponsors originally thought the measure might be passed in two years but then tried to move it this year after a groundswell of consumer interest.

The bill is aimed for a summer study committee, an admission that it can’t pass in the current year. Liquor industry advocates had fought the attempt to break their exclusive franchise to sell wine.

Ramsey says the bill may take more than two years to succeed.