A contentious issue is once again the talk of the checkout aisle as the next session of the Tennessee house is only days away and some say this could finally be the year wine is sold in grocery stores.

     Liquor store owners say allowing large national corporations encroach on their business could put them out on the street but for many shoppers, being able to buy wine at their local supermarket is all about convenience and they want their voices to be heard in the Tennessee House chamber.

"We live outside of town in a fairly rural area and it's hard for us to get to a liquor store and when we do go it's pretty expensive with a small selection," said Stephanie McCarter, Kroger shopper.  "I think it would probably increase selection and improve the price."

It seems wine is one of the only things on the shopping list you can't buy at the Donelson Kroger on McGavock pike.

"It continues to be one of the more requested items we have in our stores," said Melissa Eads, Kroger spokesperson.

Eads says  Kroger and other supermarkets  have been trying to get wine on their shelves for several years now.

And in 2013, they're encouraging the legislators that support their cause to try a new tactic.

"A referendum vote is a bill that we're going to put forth that will call for a referendum on the issue so that the people can decide," Eads said.

But opponents are left to wonder how many times the issue has to be raised and defeated for it to go away.

"Obviously, we would like not to see the bill produced again that's been turned down by the legislature for the last seven years," said Bard Quillman of the Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Association.

Quillman said because Tennessee law prohibits liquor stores from selling anything other than wine, liquor and beer with high alcohol content, letting larger, more versatile companies in on their territory could be devastating to the small business owner.

"Each one of our stores is owned by an individual," Quillman said.  "None of them are owned by corporations from out of state.  Wal-Mart, Publix, Kroger are all owned by out of state corporations and we don't have the ability to play in the games that they play."

Eads says it s best to let the consumer decide.

"We're excited about this next legislative session that's going to start," Eads said.  "We're really working on trying to make that happen."

House Speaker Beth Harwell and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey have both voiced their support to let wine be sold in grocery stores.  The House session is set to start Tuesday.Consumers Hope 2013 is the Year for Wine in Grocery Stores - Eric Alvarez