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Wine and Spirit Prices to Increase Statewide, Impact Moon Stores

More than 300 products will see increases — the first in 18 months.

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

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

The price hike begins 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 spirits store on University Boulevard in the Moon Plaza and on Fourth Avenue in Coraopolis. 

"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 complete 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 increases 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. State stores typically carry about 4,400 products, and the statewide system sells about 30,000 different types of wines 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 liquor stores, though bills in both chambers have stalled.

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

Related Topics: Moon Township, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, State stores, and Wine & Spirits store, and university boulevard
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