Top 10 Reasons to Support Wine With Dinner

Minnesotans agree that it's time to change the state's outdated ban on selling wine in grocery stores. Here's why:

1. Customer Support - Minnesotans support Wine With Dinner by better than a 2-to-1 margin, according to a 2006 statewide survey conducted by Decision Resources Ltd. Tens of thousands of customers from every corner of the state have signed up in support of the Wine With Dinner propsal.

2. Success in Other States - Thirty-three other states, including Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Nebraska, allow consumers the convenience of purchasing wine in grocery stores.

3. Experienced Retailers - Minnesota grocers have substantial experience with restricted access products. If given the authority to also offer wine in grocery stores, grocers will enforce a "zero tolerance" policy with respect to underage access. In addition to compliance with the same laws that regulate liquor stores, grocers have already pledged to adopt a tougher standard of restrictions through a 10 Point Code of Conduct.

4. Increased Competition - Minnesota's liquor industry currently benefits from monopoly-like protection over sales and licenses. Competition is good for consumers by reducing prices and expanding product choices.

5. Convenience - Consumers have made it clear that they want to avoid making multiple stops - at a grocery store and a liquor store - when they are purchasing their dinner items.

6. Wine is Served with Food - Wine is a beverage typically consumed with food. It makes sense to allow consumers the convenience of purchasing wine with their grocery and dinner items.

7. Health Benefits - Numerous studies have shown that moderate consumption of wine provides health benefits related to heart disease and strokes.

8. Comfort - Some consumers say they would be more comfortable buying wine at a grocery store than at a liquor store. In surveys, parents have said that they aren't comfortable bringing their children into liquor stores.

9. Grocers' Partnership with Law Enforcement in Minnesota - Grocers have pledged to work with law enforcement to ensure that wine sales in grocery stores are handled responsibly.

10. Respected Grocers - Grocers are respected members of their communities. They value the trust they have with their customers and are committed to making sure that wine in grocery stores is managed responsibly.