Brewnotes » Wine

Wine Spectator’s Best Baltimore Restaurants

Ben Brouse — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:54:29 +0000

This article from the Baltimore Business Journal caught my attention. “Three restaurants — Della Notte Ristorante, the Black Olive and Capital Grille — earned the Best Award of Excellence. The ranking is the second-highest award dished out by Wine Spectato”

Am I the only one who thinks Wine Spectator missed quite a few restaurants with excellent wine lists? Some of the entries on the overall list are questionable at best. Just my $.02.

Maryland Direct Wine Shipping Law Problems

Ben Brouse — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:27:10 +0000

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.

Maryland Wine Shipping Bill Passes

Ben Brouse — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:02:55 +0000

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.

Wine Shipping to MD Update

Ben Brouse — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:59:35 +0000

Considering that Sen. Joan Carter Conway was instrumental in not allowing the bill to get out of committee last year, this is great news.

Via CNBC…. “Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-Baltimore, on Thursday told lobbyists and two lawmakers during a gathering in a Senate committee room that a bill to legalize direct shipping would be passed.”

Conway later states the obvious…..

"We’re going to give you something," Conway told the group. "It might not be something you’re all going to be happy with."

Stay tuned.

Lifting the ban of wine corkage in MD

Ben Brouse — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:48:22 +0000

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.

Maryland’s Stupid Liquor Laws

Ben Brouse — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:22:41 +0000

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.

The Great MD Wine Debate…

Ben Brouse — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:58:27 +0000

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.

Do Wine Critics Really Help You Select a Bottle?

Ben Brouse — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:15:48 +0000

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.

It’s Dead Now (MD Wine Shipping)

Ben Brouse — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:46:15 +0000

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.

Not Dead Yet (MD Wine Shipping)

Ben Brouse — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:31:16 +0000

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.