It allows 18 shipments per year, but Maryland citizens are only allowed to buy wine shipped directly from wineries. The bill does not allow people to buy wine from retail outlets or auction houses.
Sorry everyone – you aren’t going to be shipping in that hard to find beer.
More details here.
Hooray – some of my civil rights were actually restored today. Maryland has finally done what 37 states have previously recognized.
It’s clear that this bill isn’t everything that everyone wanted, but it represents progress and I’m glad to take it. With that said, I still feel that the distributors are entirely too strong in this state. Short and simple – their lobby killed the effort to be able to buy wine from any retailer.
UPDATE: More info here.
This article from the BBJ says that Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Frederick County all support this effort. I’m all for it, but doubt it will get the traction it needs to really happen.
The simple fact is that the restaurant association is against this because this is cutting into their highest profit margins. It is a reality that restaurants charge 2-3x the wholesale cost they are paying for liquor, wine & beer.
This article from the Baltimore Sun has some real gems in it.
“When one of Maryland’s most famous chefs (presently featured with his brother Michael Voltaggio in two-page spread in the Williams-Sonoma catalogue) and the nation’s most famous wine connoisseur get together and the resulting meal is somehow regarded as a violation of the law, then there’s a problem with the law.”
…
“Just as wine lovers should have the right to have wine legally shipped to their door, customers ought to be able to bring it with them to lunch or dinner at a restaurant that’s willing to allow such a practice.”
My commentary: while the law is beyond stupid, we shouldn’t lose focus that this affects good beer too.
Maryland has found a new voice in the debate and this time it’s a Top Chef. Hopefully the entire Restaurant Association will catch on.
I’ve posted about this before but I think Tom Wark over at the Fermentation: The Daily Wine Blog is more adept at describing the situation.
"There are many trustworthy palates; you should seek out as many as you can. You should find out their favorites and if you can afford them, you should try them to see if your palate roughly aligns. If they offer no great reviews of affordable wines, you should look elsewhere; great wine is all around, just like good reviewers."
I look forward to the day that the 100 point scale is gone. Have you ever seen a bottle labeled with a 38 in a liquor store? I assure you – there are probably some that should be.
This looks like it isn’t going to be the year of direct wine shipping in MD. Eye on Annapolis has some great coverage of yesterdays proceedings.
Via MMBWL Facebook. Hooray for MD Sen Bobby Zirkin. At least one legislator has some common sense. Possibly he represents his constituents? *sarcasm*
“Zirkin independently offered an amendment today to SB 858 (Winery Improvement act, which had made it onto the floor) to allow Direct Shipping of Wine. The Senate will vote on this on Tuesday. “
If you haven’t been paying attention, check this out.
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