January 24, 2008
Virginia Assembly Debates Sangria Law
Have you noticed that certain drinks are missing a certain oomph in Virginia? Do you find yourself traveling into D.C. for that special glass of sangria? It’s that oomph that is under debate in the Virginia General Assembly today.
The Post reports that a House subcommittee will be debating a bill introduced by Del. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria) that would amend the 74-year-old Virginia code outlawing the mixing of wine or beer with spirits and the storage of alcohol outside of its original container. Traditionally, sangria consists of a mixture of red or white wines, brandy or triple sec, sugar, and fruit.
The law has largely fallen under the radar of most Virginia establishments, but recently drew attention when La Tasca Spanish Tapas in Old Town Alexandria received two citations in December of 2006 for premixing and combining wine with brandy. If convicted, the bartender could face a fine of up to $2500 or 12 months in jail. Other establishments, like Jaleo in Crystal City, quickly changed their sangria recipes to comply with the law.
Unfortunately, the bill carves only a small exception for sangria, ignoring many other traditional drinks and new concoctions “mixologists” love to dream up.
What other drinks are Virginians missing out on? Will sangria share the same fate as Dremo’s beer pong or Rustico's Brew Pops?
Eric Denman contributed. Photo by adactio.
|
Is this the same Virginia code that says "the chief constable shall receive one pig every month and two comely lasses of virtue true," and "it is illegal to put squirrels down your pants for the purposes of gambling?"
Go Del. Ebbin! Virginia's alcohol laws are ridiculously antiquated and pointless. I demand my brew pops back!
To be fair, the Virginia State Assembly did amend the code that prohibited blowing rails off a hooker's ass so that it included both donkeys and burros. I'm kinda upset because I was hoping for a referrendum; I'd already printed up hundreds of protest signs that said, "Vote NO on Proposition BLOW."
Also, a sangria law could put us on the path to sharia law. Just ask the Moors.
The General Assembly should outlaw La Tasca. That place blows, and so does their watered-down sangria. Even over here in wild, lawless MD.
yes, why is it that the commonwealth is so circumcircuitous??
oral and anal sexes are illegal too
Not that I needed any more, but this is just one more reason to steer clear of the Old Dominion. After they enacted that law where you would have your feet chopped off and receive 100 lashes per year if you got caught driving over 75 MPH, I was pretty much done with the commonwealth. But now I find out they've been messing with my booze, too? I'm sorry, but I will no longer be frequenting Iota, which was the last reason I ever went there anyway.
if this law isn't ammended, we'll never be able to enjoy "hop, skip, & go" (beer, vodka, sprite, lime-aide) in public...we'll be forced to continue to make it in giant vats in our basements and stir it with our arms...
oh the humanity...
I'm more disappointed they never banned Zima.
I refused to go into DC until I can play Bandy in the streets again.
http://dcist.com/2005/05/23/morning_roundup.php
Add to jamie's list the smoking that is still allowed in VA, and I'll try to never set foot in that state again.
And thanks for that picture - now all I can think about is having some sangria.
Would this new law have a sake bomb exception? For those of you who don't know, a sake bomb (like an Irish car bomb) is a shot of liquor dunked into a beer.
I would believe that sake bombs are OK in VA, since they're being served separately and not mixed by an employee. Anyone know?
oral and anal sexes are illegal too
Worry not! Lawrence v. TX took care of that way back in 2003. Sodomy between consenting adults is A-OK!
And yet, Fairlington urine guzzling parties continue unregulated. So much for priorities.
OK, so the Virginia code defines fortified wines as wine. The code then says you can't sell wine to which spirits or alcohol has been added. Vermouth is a fortified wine -- so they've been forbidding Martinis and Manhattans for 75 years? Yikes.
"I would believe that sake bombs are OK in VA, since they're being served separately and not mixed by an employee."
Assuming that's the case, then couldn't an establishment serve a pitcher of sangria with a shot (or whatever) of brandy on the side?
thanx for the update rusto
Add to jamie's list the smoking that is still allowed in VA, and I'll try to never set foot in that state again.
Yeah, it's also pretty much the case that anyone who makes a blanket declaration to "never set foot" in a particular part of their own country is a laughable, self-righteous jackass.
I suppose they could serve the liquor alongside the wine with fruit and sugar -- but part of sangria's tasty appeal is how all of the flavors are combined -- the fruit needs to sit for a little while in *all* of the liquids. Maybe soak the fruit in the brandy, and do a "make your own sangria" thing? foolishness if you ask me.
I haven't read the exact wording on the statute, but it would seem that fortified wines such as vermouth, port and sherry would be exempt given that they don't leave the winery/distillery separately. When the brandy is added to the completely fermented wine (in the case of sherry) or the partially fermented wine (in the case of port) -- the resultant mixture goes back into the cask to age. Perhaps this "resets the clock" per se in terms of the eyes of the law as to when it is "mixed"?
Either way, it seems like a ridiculous law to have -- kudos to everyone who is working on amending the law.
liquor and beer: awesome together since always
You know, for a state (or commonwealth) that prides itself on liberty and freedom (heck's it's state flag features a topless liberty stepping on the dead body of tyranny), Virginia really likes regulating people's personal conduct.
Having guns and smoking wherever you want? Perfectly ok since it's all about personal freedoms.
Mixing alcohol and wine? Totally unallowable b/c it would risk a return to monarchy, tyranny, and oppression.
Cranky - Don't forget that VA loves them some sodomy laws. So legally I can shoot an intruder, but I can't buy him or her a foofoo drink and then go drilling for mudbunnies.