Note: There were several corrections made to this entry post-publication. The author would like to specifically point out that direct shipment is not yet allowed in Maryland, but it appears that direct shipment will soon be available in Maryland in the upcoming months. We apologize for any confusion the original post caused. Monday night, Maryland Senate passed legislation allowing direct shipment of wine from wine producers to the homes of consumers, just two days after the House of Delegates passed the same. (See Direct Wine Shipment Coming Soon to Maryland and House OKs Direct Shipping for Wine.) Several steps still remain to make this bill a law, including the signing by the Governor Martin O’Malley, but there is a strong likelihood that wineries will be able to directly ship to customers in the upcoming months. Whereas this step is a great victory for wineries and connoisseurs, as thirty-six states and the District of Columbia allow direct shipment, it poses a question of compelling interest: does this new law go far enough? Some concerns from commentators are that the bill only allows 18 direct shipments per year from wineries. Additionally, deference is given to wineries and producers with respect to direct shipment while forgoing the inquiries from state retailers. (It is suggested that allowing retailers to engage in direct shipment would heighten sales for private business and public entities, perhaps especially if Maryland legislators vote to raise sales tax on alcoholic beverages. In the future, Maryland legislators will vote on whether to raise the sales tax on wine, beer, liquor, which is postulated to raise $90 million in state revenue.) Irrespective, this is a large step for Maryland in the direction favorable to the majority of its cohorts. The budding question is as follows: which state is next?
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Most of us are familiar with how, in 1940, France fell to the Nazis during World War II — but how many of us are familiar with the successive battles over esteemed French wines? French winemakers have their own story behind World War II, the course of which is resurrected in this piece. “This is the thrilling and harrowing story of the French wine producers who undertook ingenious, daring measures to save their cherished crops and bottles as the Germans closed in on them. Wine and War illuminates a compelling, little-known chapter of history, and stands as a tribute to extraordinary individuals who waged a battle that, in a very real way, saved the spirit of France.” (See 
industry. In France, vines grew abundantly and consumption became a national tradition, but Americans have been trying to grow wine grapes for at least 400 years-and have really been successful only in the past 40. The author also examines the significance of terroir, wine critics and distribution networks, the alcohol laws of different states (some dating back to Prohibition) and other factors complicating the relationship between those who make wine and those who want to drink it.” (See 
