Could this be the year Maryland residents get the right to order wine online? Hopes are high that the Legislature might finally pass legislation legalizing direct shipping of wine to consumers. I explore this issue in today's column in The Washington Post.
After I wrote this, someone told me only 15% of wines on the market are actually distributed in Maryland through the normal three-tier distribution channels. That is market forces. But why should state law restrict us from reaching out of channels for the others? That's not fair.
What can we do about it? Write to your state delegate or senator in support of direct wine shipping legislation. Support Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws. Post a comment here or on my column on washingtonpost.com. But don't stay silent.
Dave, Nicely balanced article in the Post, and well-written as usual. I'll come back tomorrow or Friday with my personal views on direct shipping and the economics of the three tier system. Time for me to run off to my retail work to put some bottles on the shelf and peddle a few wines.
Posted by: Les Hubbard | January 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Fingers crossed!
A propos, can you tell me if there are any other jurisdictions which, like DC, permit importers to also be retailers?
Thanks
Posted by: Dennis Sherman | January 25, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Apparently Berkeley, California, and New York City do, as Kermit Lynch and Neal Rosenthal have or have had stores. They began as retailers, apparently, then went into importing.
Posted by: Dave McIntyre | January 25, 2010 at 12:39 PM