Bakers seek new law for Rhode Island's beloved wine biscuits

The state Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to pass legislation that would create a special wine biscuit license allowing bakers to buy up to 2,000 gallons of wine a year from wholesalers.

Chef Richard Miscovich first encountered the biscuits when he moved to Providence to teach at Johnson and Wales University's College of Culinary Arts and lead its bakery and pastry department.

A lobbyist who represents liquor stores said the bill is one of several efforts to chip away at Rhode Island's "three-tiered system" regulating alcohol producers, retailers and distributors that dates to the repeal of Prohibition.

Liquor stores have fought back against a flurry of bills seeking to loosen restrictions for brewers, distillers and other interests, but they're leaving wine biscuits alone, said the lobbyist, Robert Goldberg.