Question 1 Defeated. No Vino in yo' Star.

Question 1, the ballot initiative that would have allowed cities and towns in the Commonwealth to issue licenses to grocery stores to sell wine, was rejected by Massachusetts voters yesterday. The measure failed 56-44, according the Boston Globe.

Widely reported to be the most expensive ballot question campaign in state history (a combined $11.5 million was spent), public opinion on Question 1 seemed to turn around last week after its opponents ramped up their negative ad campaign and highlighted the so-called "public health" aspects of allowing wine to be sold at grocery stores. Opponents contended that the initiative would allow underage drinkers easier access to wine and threaten the state's low drunken driving rates. How many teenagers would risk arrest to buy or steal a $10 bottle of pinot noir at Stop 'n Shop when they could continue to get their older friends or siblings to make the purchase for them—in which case the law would make no difference. Question 1's proponents, meanwhile, ran a media campaign focusing on consumer choice and convenience, pointing out that the initiative didn't include beer or liquor and would leave discretion to individual towns and cities whether or not to issue these new licenses.

In the end, though, the liquor industry was able to assert its clout to maintain the status quo, so you'll have to continue making side trips to package stores or smaller wine shops to purchase your vino in Massachusetts.

Post contributed by Adrienne Aldredge. Flickr user paul goyette shows us what we won't be finding in our local grocery store.