Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a wine broker? Now, how about a wine broker in the land of archaic liquor laws and an overbearing religion that shuns alcohol - like UTAH? A job selling wine, a product many consider a hobby or a curiosity, can be one of the most stimulating, rewarding, and intriguing careers in the world. Jobs in the wine industry are highly sought because, at the core level, one is decently compensated for, in its most straightforward description – drinking. However, if the job entails selling wine in Utah, that makes the job somewhat harder and often ludicrous. As a control state, the government is tasked with buying and selling all alcoholic beverages over 5% alcohol by volume – for a healthy profit I might add. Because the state operates a monopoly without competition, they have implemented and erected barriers by limiting products they only want to sell at prices dictated by expensive set state taxes. And, as if selling alcohol in a monopoly isn’t hard enough, the state legislature is predominantly comprised of lawmakers belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since Mormons disdain alcohol, they control it in a way that only makes sense to them. While there are stories about selling wine, winemakers, liquor laws, and Utah politics, certain content illustrates the LDS religion's connection to controlling alcohol while violating separation of church and state principles of the United States of America. LaHouppa 5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, Interesting, and Purposeful Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 9, 2022. Ever since reading Studs Terkel's book "Working" I've been fascinated by what makes work meaningful in all walks of life. When I came across this book I knew it had to be a good story. Selling wine in Utah That has to be more challenging than selling pork in Tel Aviv. The book didn't disappoint. I was captivated by the author's conversational tone and felt like I was sitting his living room listening to his stories. Hopefully this book will serve a purpose besides being entertaining. The Utah legislature moves at glacial speed when the LDS Church is involved but the archaic liquor laws need to be changed. Steve In Libertyville, IL 5.0 out of 5 stars All-in-One Intrigue, knowledge and entertainment Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2021 Verified Purchase As a wine aficionado and serial reader, I most often don't get a chance to finish books - am either asleep after a glass or two of merlot, or moving onto the next book or article. It is a rare find for me to have had my attention gripped for an entire book like Mr. Falanghina's. The interlocking 3-part subjects of his book could not have been more amusing, and imparted with the knowledge that comes from a gift of penmanship few self-described C-Students have. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the book to anyone, far and wide. He's a newfound and welcome gift to the writing profession, and I look forward to whatever next subject he may choose to write about. VST 5.0 out of 5 stars Food for thought. Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2021 Verified Purchase It is past time that the so called leaders go back to sleep and let the grown-ups be grow n-ups The pen name, Spartacus Falanghina, was chosen for symbolic reasons. Spartacus refers to the ancient Thracian slave who revolted against the imperious Roman government. And Falanghina, derived from the word, phalanx, is a type of native grape from Campania, Italy. It grows in tightly formed overlapping clusters that function as sort of a barrier or shield to protect the whole from the elements. Interlocking shields formed a phalanx protecting the historic Trojan army in battle.Born in Murray, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City, the author had many different jobs, but found he was a natural in the restaurant business. After twenty years, and realizing owning a restaurant was out of reach, he shifted to a career as a wine division manager for a major company. His first novel, written stylistically as a memoir, "Mormons, Merlot & The Utah Liquor Monopoly," is his truth. It's a critical and satirical interpretation of wine trends, winemakers, politics, liquor laws, the Utah legislature, and the LDS Church's duplicity. He wrote the children's book, "Me & Jo and a black cat named Tupelo," on an old newspaper while traveling. It sat on his desk for several years before inspiration led him to work on the text. It's an amusing tale with an educational lesson illustrating the use of perfect and imperfect rhymes. And with every good tale, there's a moral to the story.The author enjoys playing golf, fly fishing, and any wine from Bordeaux.