<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 14.23.04.05" title_num="14" subtitle_num="23" chapter_num="04" heading="Tastings.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except as provided in this chapter or Alcoholic Beverages Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, a supplier or licensed wholesaler may not sponsor or participate in an alcoholic beverage tasting on licensed retail premises.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An alcoholic beverage tasting may be given by a supplier or licensed wholesaler only to bona fide members and guests of a:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Charitable organization;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Nonprofit group or association;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Trade association; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Group of retailers by invitation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An alcoholic beverage tasting may be held only:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>On the licensed premises of a licensed wholesaler or supplier;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>On nonlicensed premises; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In a private room, not open to the public, which is located on licensed retail premises.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Alcoholic beverages provided for a tasting shall be obtained through the licensed wholesaler's sample account and shown on the wholesaler's monthly tax return if held on:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The premises of a licensed wholesaler or supplier; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Nonlicensed premises.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A tasting may be held on licensed retail premises only if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The product is provided by the licensed retailer;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Representatives of wine and distilled spirits suppliers or licensed wholesalers have a valid solicitor's permit for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Guest speakers,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Experts, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Anyone operating under contractual or other agreements with the supplier or licensed wholesaler; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Details on the proposed tasting are submitted to the Executive Director as provided by Regulation .12 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>“Winemaker” dinners or similar dinners including beer or distilled spirits are permitted on a limited basis when held on licensed retailer's premises and involving participation of a brand owner's, supplier's, or licensed wholesaler's representative pursuant to Regulation .10 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Consumer Tastings. A consumer tasting may be held:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>For the purpose of market survey or analysis:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>On nonlicensed premises,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>By an independent research agency, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If the Executive Director has advance notice and has given approval 14 days before conducting the survey;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>By a supplier or licensed wholesaler for nonalcoholic beverage products on licensed retail premises, if the tasting is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Spontaneous, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Not announced in advance to the licensed retailer or public at large.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Tastings sponsored by a supplier or licensed wholesaler may not be designed or used as an inducement to a licensed retailer.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>A supplier and licensed wholesaler who conduct tastings shall retain a file available for inspection on each event for 2 years. The file shall contain:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Full particulars of each tasting; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A list of all persons who attended.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>