The magic bullet?

I occasionally comment on 'wineries' that are being opened up in areas that (in my opinion) are less than desirable for the production of fine wine. And for the record, the use of the word 'fine' is not just to make people feel more intimidated than they already are. Nor is a vehicle for charging more money. No, it actually means something. As an analogy, consider shoes. Why drop some serious coin on a pair of fine leather shoes when you can get out of Payless for less than twenty bucks? The answer: Because a pair of Keds never got anybody laid.

I digress.

Back to why every damn state thinks that a winery is the must-have addition to their agri-business. It is curious, and more curious once the politicians get involved. What am I getting at? Well, this.

"The unit’s commander, Lt. Terry Martchink, said the unit arrested nearly 30 drivers suspected of being drunk during the height of wine season last year along an 18-mile, winding stretch of Highway 94 between Highway 40-61 and Augusta. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 20 DWI arrests along the entire stretch of Highway 94 in the county last year."

At the risk of coming across as one of those conspiracy freaks, you have to wonder. It seems that it didn't take too long for Johnny Law to figure out where to make up a little revenue - Winery Row.

Of course, the wineries have to be held accountable as well. They are only following the money trail that others have blazed before them - Over extract, Ferment to 18 degrees, and Slap 400% new oak all over it.

After all, that's what the people want, right?