Nude Wine Update

It took a bit longer than I expected for the spread of the story of The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board banning the sale of bottles of Cycles Gladiator wine from the Hahn Family Winery in Solidad California, bottles with a label showing a nude nymph riding a bike. The design dates to 1895. Nonetheless, as of early Saturday morning there were more than 200 reference to "wine" and "Alabama" in a Google news search. Helping to spread the word are publications like The Village Voice, which lists the story as one of the reasons readers should be grateful they live in New York City, despite the problems faced in that Metropolis. The story is, of course, featured in USA Today and many other papers because it was picked up for distribution by The Associated Press.

I hope some of the many state officials who spend their time (and our tax dollars) chasing industrial prospects around the globe realize little stories like this can actually make a difference. Governor Riley appointed former Montgomery Mayor Emory Folmar to the ABC Board. But Folmar's not talking about the nymph, telling WSFA News "our actions stand by themselves" Indeed they do.

And don't think you can subvert our state's firm moral stand by ordering some of the wine online and having it shipped here. State law doesn't allow that either. You can, however, become a "fan" of the wine on Facebook. At least so far, Alabama's Authoritarian Government hasn't banned that. And for $90, you can buy a men's jersey with the nymph on it, but we recommend you consult your attorney first, this being the state that banned sex toys.

In Alabama we may have "Freed the Hops", but the grapes, and some minds, remain firmly under lock and key.

[UPDATE: An Omaha blogger's headline: "Alabama Leaps into the 12th Century"]