Ceretto helps pass legislation to promote region's wine and agriculture industries

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, helped pass legislation this week to promote our region's wine and agriculture industries by allowing the manufacture and sale of frozen desserts made with wine.

"New York agriculture continues to lead the way in creating new and wholesome local products, from maple cotton candy to wine-flavored frozen desserts," said Ceretto. "This legislation will strengthen the state's ability to sell all of New York's great wines and agricultural products to diverse markets throughout the nation."

Ceretto noted that current law allows the sale of wine flavored ice cream.  This legislation would further expand the law to allow frozen desserts such as sorbet and sherbet to be made with wine.

The bill also limits the amount of alcohol in frozen desserts to no more than 5 per centum of alcohol by volume, prohibits its sale to persons under 21 and requires product labeling and warning statements similar to those established for confectionary products that contain alcohol.

"I am pleased to have helped pass this important bill that will expand the grape and wine industry in the state by allowing such delicious treats to be sold," Ceretto said.
The State Senate passed the legislation earlier this week and the bill will now be sent to the governor's desk.