Senate committee says no to wine sampling bill

SALT LAKE CITY — A Senate committee shot down a proposal Monday to allow commercial wine buyers to sample wines at restaurant and resort sites rather than at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control warehouse.

SB119 would permit restaurant or resort owners to taste wines and spirits at their establishments before buying to better pair them with the food on their menus, said bill sponsor Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake. It would not have allowed customers to sample wines.

Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, led opposition to the bill, saying it did not contain provisions lawmakers agreed upon during interim study meetings. The measure, he said, did not include a ban on wine brokers giving gifts, reporting requirements and having DABC personnel on site for the sampling.

The Senate Business and Labor Committee voted down the bill 4-3.

Romero said he thought he had addressed the issues Valentine raised. Still, he plans to bring it back with changes. "We'll go retool it," he said.

E-mail: romboy@desnews.com

Twitter: dennisromboy