Syd Abrams spent a quarter century as a lobbyist for the California Wine Institute, monitoring wine-related legislation in 12 western states until he was forced out two years ago, at age 78. All along, he's also been a partner in eastern Washington's pioneering, 800-acre Sagemoor Vineyards, the largest independent grape grower in the state.
Looking out for his private interests now, Abrams finds it curious that Washington State's notoriously slack Liquor Board was letting one particular California producer get away with the enological equivalent of murder. Boxed "wine" from Franzia, specifically. Turns out, it's not even wine...an affront to legitimate producers, and a violation of the Liquor Board's own injunction against labeling that misleads consumers.
The phrase in question is "Table Wine With Natural Flavorings." In fact, says Abrams, the contents of the Franzia box should be called "Flavored Wine Product," which would require Franzia to list the ingredients (including whatever distilled products are used to provide the alcohol content; Abrams doubts that it's actually wine) and taxed as such. Franzia does provide a nutrition chart that skirts the question.
Meantime, Abrams' former employers at the Wine Institute and Franzia's attorneys have successfully lobbied the Liquor Board to ignore its own mandates (to collect taxes, to protect and educate the public etc.). At a recent meeting, the Board's legal advisor pooh-poohed the argument that Franzia's labeling was "misleading." No minutes were kept.
Modest and courtly, Abrams is personally offended. "It's not wine. It's not right."
Posted by Ronald Holden at May 16, 2007 9:17 AMIts a shame all these things come down to legal battles - just another reason to give work to some of the 125 million lawyers across the nation.
It would be so much cheaper and wiser just to use some good sense for a change. Products like this should all carry the label "JUNK" in larger print than the brand names. We could also apply this to all the non Real-Food (the next step on from Slow food).
In the meantime its up to people like you Ron, BP, the Wine Expectorate and other wine "educators"(how I hate that phrase) to EXPOSE these bastards for what they are - greedy, evil people.
"Drink the good - while you still may! "
Posted by: tim Johnston at May 17, 2007 5:55 AMFranzia is quick to tell you how many calories, very reluctant to say anything more. Proprietary info, dontcha know. It's basically flavored water, punched up with cheap distilled spirits.
Back in DC, where the feds originally permitted this charade, they tried to revise the regs, but got cold feet. Sadly, there's no effective consumer voice in the whole process; the relevant agencies roll over for the biggest players in the industry...and Franzia, part of The Wine Group, is among the biggest.
Posted by: Ronald at May 16, 2007 10:09 AMThis is crazy! And just another reason why we need to get rid of (or at the very least totally overhaul) Washington's liquor system.
What sort of evidence to we have regarding the actual makeup of Franzia wines?
Posted by: Robert Hess at May 16, 2007 9:58 AM