Archive for the ‘Shipping Wine’ Category

Mar 10, 2005

Maryland: The Next Great Grape State?

I think it is safe to say that too few wine lovers, and even fewer casual wine drinkers, ever venture outside their comfort zone in choosing what wine to drink. Why these "other states" wines rarely show up on our tables is pretty clear: There isn’t that much of them and they are rarely if ever exported out of their own state. Any effort to make these wines more accessible is a positive step in my book. It’s all too…

Mar 3, 2005

“That’s Not Wine Officer…It’s Flavored Water”

Florida is in the midst of trying to get a bill passed that allows direct shipping to the consumer. Gov. Bush is for it, but there is lots of opposition. One State Senator, Paula Dockery, is taking on the claim that direct shipping will lead to minors getting wine by mail. Her simple and elegant point is that the new law would require that packaging indicate that alcohol is inside and that an adult sign for the box. Makes sense….

Feb 15, 2005

What Would Bacchus Do?

Michael Stajer has an excellent rundown of a really crazy perspective on the Wine Shipping controversy. The source of the rather ludicrous assertions that Michael refers to come from one Reverend Mark Creech who claims, among other things:   "Jesus would have never approved the actions of a bunch of greedy Internet wine retailers who were determined to distribute "strong drink" at the expense of the nation’s children." I presume Reverend Creech would say that Jesus instead would have approved…

Feb 11, 2005

Detroit Free Press Slaps Down Wine Monopolists

Detroit Free Press Reporter Jennifer Dixon absolutely pummeled the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association today in a series of articles that outline essentially how they purchase influence all across the Michigan State Government. Trips to the Caribbean for Michigan lawmakers. Very generous campaign contributions. Millions of dollars contributed annually. And what do they get for their largesse? What would you think? Near monopoly status. The complete absence of any competition. A state government willing to go the supreme court…

Feb 9, 2005

Fat Chance Maryland Wineries

A news report that hit yesterday detailed a new study that showed Maryland’s wine industry would benefit if a number of regulations were lifted. Governor Robert Ehrlich commissioned the report. Among the findings was that Maryland would benefit from lifting the ban on direct shipping. I’m not sure this is the recommendation Governor Ehrlich was looking for. In fact, Fat Chance Erhlich would ever support lifting the current direct shipping ban. As a congressman, Ehrlich sponsored a bill to that…