So the story is limited to my still being surprised to be told that I could not take a bottle of wine, an in-flight gift, into Atlanta.
Well colour me confused...I’ve entered the States from Europe (including through ATL, a multitude of times) and over the years have seen a multitude of passengers get through the American “system” without handing over their booze (in their hand baggage, bought airside at the airport of departure) so all I can say is your experience sounds very strange...