Grappa in the news

[blue]

Just want to share an article on calls for legalization of homemade grappa

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zei ... 65,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Gimp]

An interesting read. Thanks for that.

[chunkystyles]

Yes, very interesting. One can only hope that it passes.

[HookLine]

From the article:

"Montani and Divina cited neighboring Austria, where it is legal to brew liquors at home, as a precedent."

Lucky Austrians.

[EuroStiller]

This does not surprise me at all. What does surprise me is how long it has taken for one of the major political parties to propose this since the end of WWII!! This may very well pass legislation, but I'm not sure. I don't want to get in to the politics of it all because it is quite confusing considering 2008 Political Crisis that put Silvio Berlusconi back in power. A bit about Italy you should understand. As of 1963, it was divided into 20 micro-regions called province (= state/ territory), each having one or more capital city/ town, depending on the size of the province. The exception to this is Vatican City and The Republic of San Marino. They are independent countries that lie within the border of Italy proper. Then, out of the 20 regions, there are 5 autonomous regions. These 20 regions be broken down even further into micro- regions with their own language dialects and ways of life. This influence on distilled spirits, liqueurs, and wines is so diverse.

1) Friuli-Venezia Giulia
2) Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol*
3) Valle d'Aosta/Vallée d'Aoste (Aosta Valley)
4) Sardinia
5) Sicily

*Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol Region is composed of the provinces of Trent and Bolzano.

They have special forms and conditions of autonomy pursuant to the special statutes adopted by constitutional law, Articles 116- 119 of the Italian Constitution. Both Houses of Parliament must approve the laws with an absolute majority of the State and Region concerned.

Basically, these regions can really "bend the law", particularly for reasons such as cultural, ethnical or language peculiarities, or particular distance from the mainland (Sardinia).

Hmmm, cultural and ethnic peculiarities?? Sound like a good enough excuse to me! But then again, who needs an excuse! You know what they say about them! This is not going to stop me from going back home each year to make both wine and grappa! I don’t think it will stop my neighbors either.

My only concern is that the big companies age gonna put the kibosh on this!

Gotta wait and see!!


EuroStiller- The Doctor

[violentblue]

now if only we could get a little consideration on this side of the pond

[blanikdog]

... My only concern is that the big companies age gonna put the kibosh on this! ... EuroStiller- The Doctor

They wouldn't do that!!!

[EuroStiller]

blanikdog and others

First off, I would like to say that it was legal at one time to distill spirits at home. That is why Italy has so many distilleries. As far as those now making just grappa, well, you know the count from the article. Overall, I would estimate that there are at least a good 200 working distilleries. Many would be considered local/ micro- distilleries by today’s standards. Laws enacted in the late 1950’s abolished a great deal of distillers because they could to afford the licenses and taxes. Many were jailed for making shine. that is when the Clandestine movements really took off like a rocket, and continue to this day. I think that is why these senetors are suggesting this bill. Lets do it and do it right!

This law is being proposed at the wrong time in history for it to pass, I think. My only hope is that I am wrong! If we were in the late 70's- mid 80's, it would be no problem at all. Government was more corrupt then, but in a good way. Corruption and bribery accomplished a great deal of good deeds in a country that otherwise had already begun to regress to it’s post war standings. There were way fewer political parties, and it was much easier to bribe enough members of both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies to swing the votes needed! This is very hard to do now, unless you happen to be a very rich person, like Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. He is worth over 9 billion US dollars. And that is the disclosed amount!! I'm not saying he has bribed anybody or organizations; I just want that made clear. However, he happens to be in a position, and have the means, where he could if he wanted to.

I do not think that we will every see the legalization of home- made ethanol in America. I mean come on, you get in your car and there is a thing glued/sewed to the sun-visor that tells you how to use it and your seat belt!! Well, come on now, if we are that friggin stupid I REALLY don't think the ATF, or what ever new division I'm sure they will have to create, is really gonna let regular people make ETOH! Be it for drinking or filling your car. We have to be realistic here. America cannot be bothered with such trivial things. No! We need to spend billions on stupid shit, like sending people into outer space!! How bout we worry about what’s down here first!! Wouldn’t it be better to just make it legal? But then I guess they cannot tax the hell out of it like tobacco!!
Our government, and our country is the joke of the world kids! Go abroad and find out for yourselves. It is really a sad thing.

EuroStiller- The Doctor

[blanikdog]

Well said, euro. It'll never happen.

[chunkystyles]

Well said, euro. It'll never happen.

Not only will it not happen, if it were to ever be legal, the first time someone killed themself doing it it would be immediately outlawed. That's how things work here.

[theholymackerel]

Not only will it not happen, if it were to ever be legal, the first time someone killed themself doing it it would be immediately outlawed. That's how things work here.

Really?

Then why aren't cars, booze, motorcycles, bathtubs, tobacco, fast women and Mc Donald's illegal? I could continue this list for another hundered items easily, but as I'm just makin' a point I won't. There are NUMEROUS things that killed someone the first time and the government did nada... even after the thousanth death and the hundred thousanth death nada.

[chunkystyles]

Not only will it not happen, if it were to ever be legal, the first time someone killed themself doing it it would be immediately outlawed. That's how things work here.

Really?

Then why aren't cars, booze, motorcycles, bathtubs, tobacco, fast women and Mc Donald's illegal? I could continue this list for another hundered items easily, but as I'm just makin' a point I won't. There are NUMEROUS things that killed someone the first time and the government did nada... even after the thousanth death and the hundred thousanth death nada.

True, but for whatever reason, society (for the most part) sees those things as acceptable. All it would take is one death after distillation was legalized before politicians, the media, or some concerned citizen made it a huge issue and distorted the facts even when there are far more dangerous things out there, as you have pointed out. Now, all of what I have said is opinion is far from infallible, but that's how I see it. However, at the rate we are going, some people would argue that tobacco is moving towards illegality. I doubt it will ever be made illegal, though.

[theholymackerel]

I have lots of what I think are good points to make, but why bother?

I can't debate opinion.

[Dnderhead]

I tank it mite happen or at least "not paid attention to" but wont happen the way most people want, nor in my time

[blanikdog]

It has absolutely nothing to do with people dying. I was born in December 1939 and now, almost seventy years on, I can't remember a period when there hasn't been a government sponsored war in progress, resulting in millions dying. Governments have never given a stuff about people dying, and never will. It's all about big companies losing a little profit and governments losing a lot of tax.

Sure, they'll use double-speak to convince the average punter that that's why they won't allow home distilling, but it's just that, doublespeak. You can never trust governments because they are composed of politicians.

As I said, it'll never happen.

[tracker0945]

Once something is made illegal (does not matter much who did it) it is a very game or suicidal person/body that will legalize it again.

One of the very few to come to mind being prohibition.

Once again just an opinion

Cheers

[EuroStiller]

Unless this issue is run under a special election, with wine season coming up it could happen, or attached to another bill, it probaby will be included in the general elections. We may have to wait until April 2009 to see how this plays out. Just thought I should pass the news that came to me along. While it does not make a bit of difference to most people, it kinda does to me. And if it turns out favorable in the long run, it may have impact for other countries. Not the USA, of course.

ES- The Doctor