Wine and Spirit Prices to Increase Statewide

A bottle of Hennessy Cognac Paradis at  will cost $200 more next month.  Perignon, another top-shelf champagne, will cost $5 more.

And, for those with less  champagne tastes, Moet Chandon Nectar  Rose will increase by $4.

The price hikes begin Feb. 1 on more than 300 products at Pennsylvania wine and spirit shops. It is the first increase in 18 months after the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board placed a moratorium on vendor-requested increases because of the recession.

The increase in prices is slated to be rolled out over February and March.

The increase was spurred by vendor pressure and affects all state stores, including the store on and in the in Leetsdale. 

"We couldn't continue to turn down the vendors’ requests for price increases, because we would risk losing the opportunity to carry (their) products," PLCB member P.J. Stapleton told the PA Independent.

Vendors are allowed to request price increases four times a year, he said.

"I struggled with (raising prices), but we at least need to work with the vendors to make sure the product stays on the shelf," PLCB Chairman Joseph Brion said.

Most common brands of wine and liquor will increase only slightly.

According to the  list, as published by CBS Philly, a Sutter Home bottle of white zinfandel will go from $9.99 to $11.99, and a bottle of Jim Beam's rye whiskey rises to $18.99 from $17.99.

The top shelf spirits, though, rise sharply. Hennessy Cognac Paradis, for example, jumps from $359.99 to $599.99 per bottle.

Not all brands are increasing in price. State stores typically carry about 4,400 products, and the statewide system sells about 30,000 different types of wine and liquor.

The news comes as the General Assembly gets back into gear. House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Turzai, R-28, and Gov. Corbett have made it a legislative priority to explore the option of privatizing , though bills in both chambers have stalled.

For more information, visit the liquor control board's website.

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