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Thirsty For Sangria? Stay Out Of Virginia

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By ANITA KUMAR, The Washington Post

Published: January 26, 2008

RICHMOND, Va. - A Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control agent conducting a routine inspection in 2006 cited La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria for violating an obscure 75-year-old state law:

It's illegal to serve sangria in Virginia.

The fruity cocktail of wine and brandy that is a must-have at Spanish restaurants violates a law that forbids mixing wine or beer with spirits. If convicted, a bartender could go to jail for a year.

"It's absolutely preposterous," said Robert Hall, general manager of Jaleo restaurant in Crystal City, which altered its sangria recipe last year after hearing the news about La Tasca. "What harm is this causing?"

The General Assembly, which began a 60-day legislative session this month, is considering whether to tweak the antiquated law to allow restaurants and bars to serve sangria made of more than wine.

"It just seems to make common sense that government should worry about big issues like transportation and not get too concerned about what people drink," said Del. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, who introduced the bill.

On The Books Since 1934

Since 1934, just after the national prohibition of alcohol was repealed, Virginia has had laws on the books that prohibit mixing wine or beer with spirits and premixing a drink with alcohol.

"We're a little nervous of expanding the law," said House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Henry, who served for 16 years on a committee that wrote alcohol laws. "We're a conservative state and a conservative legislature. Some of that's good. Some of it's bad."

The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control does not keep statistics on sangria citations, but officials estimate they have given out a handful in recent years.

Curtis Coleburn, the agency's chief operating officer, said his agents usually warn restaurants that they cannot serve sangria and other drinks that include wine or beer and spirits. The agents generally do not cite them, because most do not know it is illegal.

Sangria is usually made with red wine, brandy and fruit. Other recipes call for additional liquors, such as vodka.

Hall said Jaleo changed the recipe for sangria at its Crystal City restaurant, which serves up to 2,000 customers a week, but not at its Washington or Bethesda, Md., locations. He said some customers have noticed the difference in taste.

"It disturbs us," Hall said. "We can't offer real sangria."

Other Beverages Banned

It's not just sangria. Other popular drinks are also off-limits, including kir royals, which are made with sparkling wine, and boilermakers, which include beer and a shot of liquor. Also prohibited are a host of newly fashionable beer cocktails, but Ebbin's bill allows only sangria.

Many of Virginia's ABC laws haven't changed since 1934, when the nation's attitude toward alcohol was different.

The state prohibits combining wine or beer and spirits and premixing or storing drinks outside their original containers, except for those in approved frozen-drink dispensers.

Officials say the goal is to show customers that they are getting what they asked for and to show regulators that the alcohol has been purchased from the state, as is required in Virginia.

Violating the sangria code is a misdemeanor, punishable by a $2,500 fine or 12 months in jail.

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