Mormons, Merlot & The Utah Liquor Monopoly: Selling Wine in Zion

By Spartacus Falanghina

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spartaghina LLC
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734428025

Spartacus Falanghina

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.

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