Jan 10, 2011
I have great hope that 2011 will see a significant shift in our economy. I'm hoping we see a trend toward hiring and a significant reduction in unemployment. A forward moving economy is good for the wine industry. That means its good for my business and good for my friends and colleagues in the wine industry. But while we have significant indicators of the past, current and future state of the American economy, one has too look a little harder…
Jan 5, 2011
This week, upon being sworn in and taking over control of the House of Representatives, Republicans will take to the floor of the House to read the entire United States Constitution. What does this have to do with wine? Not much really, but the relationship between commerce and wine, and the way our Constitution sets up a single economic union, is important for us to be aware of. It's important particularly in 2011 since it is likely that one way…
Jan 3, 2011
Few industries labor under a more complex and multi-layered set of regulations as does the wine industry. This is the case because Americans have endorsed and accept the idea that alcohol ought to be taxed in greater amounts than other commercial products and because Americans accept the idea that the inherent danger of alcohol is such as to justified enhanced regulation by the state…So be it. 2011 is shaping up to be a year of robust activity in the realm…
Dec 23, 2010
There is a limited audience for a 250+ page state government report on the history, success, problems, legality and politics of the direct shipment of wine to consumers. Turns out I'm part of that fairly small audience. So, I read with great interests Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot's report on this subject released on Tuesday. Following my tradition of reading these sorts of things so you don't have to, allow me to summarize the results of the report: The claims of…
Dec 15, 2010
For twenty years now Americans have heard alcohol wholesalers and members of the prevention community explain how the direct shipping of wine will put minors in harms way; that minors will use the Internet to obtain alcohol and get all liquored up and hurt themselves and others. And for twenty years, the use of direct shipping has continued to increase as wine in particular—in its now numerous diverse forms—has caught the attention of American imbibers. But what of those minors…