The Michigan Liquor Control Commission recently issued Bulletin # 2992-17, which restricts the packaging wholesalers may use when they sell packages containing a mix of wine types to retailers. The Bulletin states that there must be equal amounts of each wine product in the package in order for the package to be in compliance with Michigan law. For example, a 12-bottle case containing three types of wine must contain four bottles of each type, while a case made up of four types of wine must contain three bottles of each type.
The announced purpose of this new policy is to prohibit wholesalers from offering mixed cases only to certain preferred retailers and to ensure that the price charged to the retailer is the same as the wholesaler’s posted cash price. The Commission will consider making exceptions for nonconforming packages if they are distributed nationally and if the overall price is proportional to the number and variety of the wines contained in the package.
