SB 26.02 Atlasia Wine Official Classification Act of 2020

[Dr. MB]

An act to guarantee and reward quality wine

Section I. Title.

This bill shall be referred to as the “Atlasia Wine Official Classification Act of 2020”.

Section II. Definitions

A. An “Atlasian wine” shall be any wine made with at least 85% grapes grown in Atlasia.

Section III. Establishment

A. Reds

I. A competition shall be held every 9 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous eight years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $3,000 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 litres total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Primitivo, Syrah and Shiraz, Barbera and Sangiovese, and Red Blends.

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next nine years’ vintages. The next ten highest scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next nine years’ vintages, and with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines, and so on with “Third” and “Fourth Growths”, each doubling in size of the category. If there are fewer than 200 submissions in any category, then the highest number of categories that can be entirely filled by the submissions shall be the final one.  

B. Whites and Roses

I. A competition shall be held every 6 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous five years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $2,500 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 litres total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat and Moscato, Rosés, and White Blends.

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages. The next ten highest scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages, and with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines, and so on with “Third” and “Fourth Growths”, each doubling in size of the category. If there are fewer than 200 submissions in any category, then the highest number of categories that can be entirely filled by the submissions shall be the final one.  

C. Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

I. A competition shall be held every 6 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous five years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $5,000 for their first submission and $1,500 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 litres total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Blanc de blancs, Blanc de noirs, Cuveés, Prosecco, and Sweet Sparkling Wines.  

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages. The next ten highest scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages, and so on with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines.

Section IV. Funding and Logistics

A. Competitions shall be hosted by cities across Atlasia, with applications by cities to be submitted to and selected by the Department of Agriculture. The cities shall be expected to provide a space for hosting and housing, with funds received from competition applicants to be directed to the host city’s event budget.

B. Usage of the scoring “Growth” terms shall be enforced by the Department of Justice, with a $100,000 fine for an illegal use of the label as well as an additional $100 per bottle sold without having met the competitive qualification for use of the label.

Section V. Promotion

I. Winning wine vintages will be promoted at the annual "Catalina Wine Mixer".

II. Wineries of distinction shall also be permitted to promote new vintages at the "Catalina Wine Mixer".

Section VI. Implementation

The first competition shall be held jointly for all three types of wines in 2021.

House of Representatives:
Passed the House of Representatives 5-0-1-3

Sponsor needed.

[Mike Thick]

I can sponsor

[Dr. MB]

24 hours to object, 72 hours to debate.

[Mike Thick]

Okay, I'll open by saying: I have never had so much as a sip of wine in my life. However, I know enough about the red/white/pink stuff to understand that wine isn't just a fun, fancy drink for special occasions -- in many parts of this country, it's the backbone of the local economy. This bill would help Atlasia's wineries at relatively low cost to the federal government, by classifying wines and introducing new competition in the industry. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor. Thank you.

[SevenEleven]

Act quickly before this happens!

https://mobile.twitter.com/TacoBellCanada/status/1305521686855454727?ref_src=tws...

[Former President tack50]

Act quickly before this happens!

https://mobile.twitter.com/TacoBellCanada/status/1305521686855454727?ref_src=tws...

I was going to argue that this was a frivolous bill, but after seeing this I am convinced it is vital that we act now, so that this kind of affront to gastronomy does not happen again.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

As someone who has never consumed an alcoholic beverage, can someone explain why the taco bell thing is a problem?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Also why it is necessary for the federal gov't to step in here? If it is terrible, won't people just not buy it?

[Esteemed Jimmy]

This isn’t something the government should be involved in.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Ah my questions have not been responded to.

[SevenEleven]

Also why it is necessary for the federal gov't to step in here? If it is terrible, won't people just not buy it?

This is something that any prideful wine-producing nation already does at the federal level. I'm not sure how you would classify wines at any non-national level of government.

[Former President tack50]

Also why it is necessary for the federal gov't to step in here? If it is terrible, won't people just not buy it?
[/quote
I mean, there are plenty of government issued lables to ensure that products are of good quality? (Especially for "local specialties" or stuff like ecological produce)

This is not too far from that concept

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Also why it is necessary for the federal gov't to step in here? If it is terrible, won't people just not buy it?

I mean, there are plenty of government issued lables to ensure that products are of good quality? (Especially for "local specialties" or stuff like ecological produce)

This is not too far from that concept

So you mean the kinds of things that Mr. R spent a good part of his time eliminating and which I happily signed the elimination of as President, such as regulating the exact composition of a fruit cake as I recall?

[Former President tack50]

Also why it is necessary for the federal gov't to step in here? If it is terrible, won't people just not buy it?

I mean, there are plenty of government issued lables to ensure that products are of good quality? (Especially for "local specialties" or stuff like ecological produce)

This is not too far from that concept

So you mean the kinds of things that Mr. R spent a good part of his time eliminating and which I happily signed the elimination of as President, such as regulating the exact composition of a fruit cake as I recall?

I was thinking more along the lines of this?

https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/running-business/intellectual-property/geographical-indications/index_en.htm

(No idea if there is an equivalent American thing but I'd be surprised if there was no such program whatsoever)

[Devout Centrist]

I motion for a final vote

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Dr. MB]

Final vote started. 72 hours.

[Former President tack50]

Aye

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Nay

[Mike Thick]

Aye

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

NAY

[Devout Centrist]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[Dr. MB]

An act to guarantee and reward quality wine

Section I. Title.

This bill shall be referred to as the “Atlasia Wine Official Classification Act of 2020”.

Section II. Definitions

A. An “Atlasian wine” shall be any wine made with at least 85% grapes grown in Atlasia.

Section III. Establishment

A. Reds

I. A competition shall be held every 9 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous eight years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $3,000 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 litres total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Primitivo, Syrah and Shiraz, Barbera and Sangiovese, and Red Blends.

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next nine years’ vintages. The next ten highest scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next nine years’ vintages, and with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines, and so on with “Third” and “Fourth Growths”, each doubling in size of the category. If there are fewer than 200 submissions in any category, then the highest number of categories that can be entirely filled by the submissions shall be the final one.  

B. Whites and Roses

I. A competition shall be held every 6 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous five years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $2,500 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 litres total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat and Moscato, Rosés, and White Blends.

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages. The next ten highest scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages, and with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines, and so on with “Third” and “Fourth Growths”, each doubling in size of the category. If there are fewer than 200 submissions in any category, then the highest number of categories that can be entirely filled by the submissions shall be the final one.  

C. Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

I. A competition shall be held every 6 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous five years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $5,000 for their first submission and $1,500 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 litres total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Blanc de blancs, Blanc de noirs, Cuveés, Prosecco, and Sweet Sparkling Wines.  

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages. The next ten highest scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages, and so on with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines.

Section IV. Funding and Logistics

A. Competitions shall be hosted by cities across Atlasia, with applications by cities to be submitted to and selected by the Department of Agriculture. The cities shall be expected to provide a space for hosting and housing, with funds received from competition applicants to be directed to the host city’s event budget.

B. Usage of the scoring “Growth” terms shall be enforced by the Department of Justice, with a $100,000 fine for an illegal use of the label as well as an additional $100 per bottle sold without having met the competitive qualification for use of the label.

Section V. Promotion

I. Winning wine vintages will be promoted at the annual "Catalina Wine Mixer".

II. Wineries of distinction shall also be permitted to promote new vintages at the "Catalina Wine Mixer".

Section VI. Implementation

The first competition shall be held jointly for all three types of wines in 2021.

House of Representatives:
Passed the House of Representatives 5-0-1-3

Passed the Senate 4-2