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Maryland Direct Wine Shipping – Getting Closer

March 28, 2011 – 6:56 am

As I noted late last week, the Maryland General Assembly initially passed legislation that will allow wineries to ship wine to consumers in Maryland. Now is not the time to sit back and think all the work is done for promoting direct wine shipping.

The bills in both the Maryland Senate and House are a little different. Anything can happen to the legislation before it secures final passage. Kevin Atticks, Executive Director of the Maryland Wine website wrote in a comment to another wine blogger, Vinotrip, “Even though it’s not a perfect bill, we’re thrilled for this [BIG] step forward. Know that it has a few more hurdles (one of the two bills must get through the opposing chamber in the coming week) without amendments or trickery before heading to the Governor’s desk.”

So even though similar bills for direct wine shipping have passed, there is still work to be done before direct wine shipping is legal in Maryland. Since the Maryland legislature is only in session for two more weeks, it’s important this get settled quickly.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

April Charity Wine Event Supports Camp for Special Needs Children

March 27, 2011 – 12:33 pm

On April 8, 2011, wineries and restaurants will be at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center for the RocCity UNCORKED: A Wine & Food Tasting Expo. This special charity event benefits the Camp Haccamo a residential overnight camp for disabled children in Monroe County. The Rotary Clubs of Monroe County are supporting this event that will benefit more than 2,000 children. Camp Haccamo provides a weeklong camping experience for special needs children. While at the event look for Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, a winery located in the Fingers Lakes region of New York State. Three Brothers is a combination of three unique wineries and a brewery all on one property.

Last year, the event drew 2,400 visitors, with 56 wineries, 4 breweries and 22 restaurants participating.  This year the event is even larger. Go to the RocCity Uncorked website for more information. Tickets are available at Wegmans ticket outlet, “That’s T.H.E. Ticket.”

Enjoy tasting wines and food while helping Camp Haccamo.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

What is the motivation to buy wine from a winery?

March 26, 2011 – 8:08 am

Currently, Maryland residents cannot purchase wine from wineries within Maryland or outside the state and have it shipped directly to their homes. That may soon change, as the General Assembly is ready to pass a direct shipping law. In yesterday’s post I commented on some of the rants from the retailers and distributors regarding direct shipping to Maryland residents. A retailer tweeted that, “You would be crazy to order wine plus freight and expect to save $.” That made me think about the motivation one would have to order wine from a winery instead of purchasing a wine from a wine shop.

If consumers who purchase wine are concerned with the price of the wine, they may not order wine from wineries and pay the extra cost of shipping. However, after traveling to hundreds of wineries and seeing other wine travelers ordering cases of wine to be shipped to their homes throughout the country, I don’t believe that price is the motivation behind ordering wine from a winery. The people who purchase wine from a winery and have it shipped to their home do so because they like the wine. Perhaps it is the wine’s taste or aroma. Perhaps consumers like it because it is a variety that wine stores do not carry. Or perhaps the wine reminds them of a vacation in a particular region of the country. Some wineries are involved in charitable giving and perhaps this provides a motivation to purchase wine from that winery. Whatever the reason, seldom is it money related.

Many winery tasting rooms are filled on weekends. Some of the visitors are from the local community, but many are travelers who enjoy visiting wineries. These wine travelers get to taste from the portfolio of wines made at the winery they are visiting. If they find something they like, they will often purchase it. With about 6,000 wineries in the United States, there is a lot of variety. Wine stores simply do not carry the portfolio of 6,000 United States wineries. Go into a Maryland wine store and try to find a bottle of Carlos from North Carolina. Try to find a bottle of Norton from Missouri. Also try to find a bottle of Blanc du Bois from Texas. The proponents of direct shipping in Maryland want the freedoms to purchase wines that they like that are not carried by wine stores.

Price is probably not the only motivating factor. However if it is, note that some wineries do offer case discounts and few offer free shipping at certain times of the year. Wine retailers in Maryland will need a better argument, that people would be crazy to spend extra money to order wine from a winery, if they intend to persuade people from not ordering from wineries once the law is changed.

What would motivate you to order wine from a winery?

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Fisherman’s Wharf Soup Recipe with Wine

March 26, 2011 – 12:01 am

This weekend many of the US states will have cold temperatures. Where is spring? This hot soup recipe may be the perfect way to eat well and stay warm. It uses a little dry white wine.

Cheers! Kathy

Fisherman’s Wharf Soup With Rice

Servings: 6
Ingredients

5 c chicken broth
¼ c dry white wine
1 T butter or margarine
1 t thyme leaves, crushed
½ t salt
1/8 t ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
½ c uncooked rice
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin strips 2-inches long
2 ribs celery, sliced
½ c sliced green onions
1 ½ lbs fillet of sole or other white fish, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 c torn fresh spinach
2 T chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Combine chicken broth, wine, thyme, salt, pepper and bay leaf in large saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil; add rice.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
  4. Add cucumber strips, celery, green onions and fish.
  5. Return to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
  6. Stir in spinach and parsley. Simmer 2 minutes.
  7. Remove bay leaf.

Serve immediately.

Recipe provided by USA Rice Federation

By Kathy | Posted in Wine/Food/Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Ranters attack approval of direct shipping of wine to Maryland residents

March 25, 2011 – 6:30 pm

Wineries in Maryland and throughout the country may soon be able to ship wine to Maryland residents. Finally, it looks like Maryland will join the 37 other states and the District of Columbia and permit some form of shipping wine directly to Maryland homes. The legislation won initial approval from the full General Assembly. Within minutes of the story being posted on the Baltimore Sun website the rants began.

“The bill only helps the rich,” rants one writer who claims that Maryland residents can already order any wine at their local retailer. This isn’t true in my experience. When California winery South Coast won winery of the year, my local retailer had no distributors that carried their wine and said he couldn’t get it. I was out of luck.

The second rant was the ever-present claim that the state government will “pass legislation that will cut local jobs?” Also a similar rant, “So now the middle man will be cut out, local wine distributors will see sales decline as will local wine stores, and Marylanders will lose more jobs.” It would be helpful if these ranters would provide statistics of how many jobs were lost by retailers and distributors in the 37 states and the District of Columbia that already allow direct shipping of wine to their residents. What about creating jobs? Someone has to deliver the wine and wineries that do a lot of shipping may have to hire someone to fill the orders.

Next rant states that Maryland will lose tax money on the consumption of wine in the state. However the wineries that ship wine to Maryland residents are collecting tax for the state of Maryland so the state is not losing tax money.

A commenter indicated that direct shipping would only account for 1% of wine sales in Maryland. One percent should not have a big impact on those that have profited since Prohibition ended. Finally Maryland residents have similar rights as do people living in 37 other states and DC.

The residents of Maryland should be thanking their state legislators for seeing that direct wine shipping should be available to Marylanders.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Good News – Direct Wine Shipping May Actually Happen in Maryland!

March 25, 2011 – 5:08 pm

According to the Baltimore Sun’s website, the Maryland General Assembly has initially approved a bill to allow wine shipping directly to consumers. Finally passage is expected to take place soon. Maryland wine enthusiasts have been looking for this friendly wine shipping legislation for a long time. At least 37 states are ahead of Maryland in terms of wine shipping, so this legislation is a long time coming.

Both the state of Maryland and the residents benefit when this law is enacted. When Maryland residents are able to order wine online, Maryland will receive more revenue that it needs. Revenue will be obtained from additional taxes collected and a yearly fee paid by wineries to allow them to ship into Maryland. It’s a win-win situation for the people of Maryland.

For those who believe that such legislation will lose jobs because people won’t buy from their local liquor shops, I believe they are incorrect. It’s called competition. The wine shops and the like should focus on offering more than just wine in their shops. As the old saying goes, “Think outside of the box.”

It should be noted that the current legislation would not allow retailers to ship wine. An amendment to allow Kosher wines to be shipped from retailers, which can be difficult to get, also is not included in the current direct wine shipping law.

Cheers, Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Wine & Wildflower Trail Event in Texas Hill Country

March 25, 2011 – 12:02 am

During April consider visiting the wineries in Texas Hill Country. On April 1-3 and April 8-10, there will be a Wine & Wildflower Trail event.

Tickets are $35 per person or $60 per couple. Tickets can be purchased on the Texas Hill Country Wineries website.

Tickets for the trail event include the following:

1-3 complimentary tastes of wine at each winery
15% discount on 3 bottle purchases at each winery
One dormant grapevine per ticket
One Wildflower seed packet per ticket

We have visited numerous Texas wineries and continue to remember the friendly people, fantastic country views and Texas wines. Be sure to have a camera handy for photos to remember your time in Texas Hill Country. If you are planning to visit any of these fine wineries, you  can check out the reviews with photos of a number of these wineries.

A map of the region with the wineries designated is available on the Texas Hill Country website.

Take time for a relaxing stroll through Fredericksburg, a town with a variety of German restaurants and more.

Cheers, Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Don’t Let the Weather Prevent You from Visiting a Winery this Weekend!

March 24, 2011 – 12:02 am

Take some time this weekend to visit a winery tasting room. There are many available winery events this weekend. The list below includes this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At the end of the list, I’ve included some of the ongoing events at wineries. Check out the links for each winery event.

Cheers! Kathy

Friday, March 25

Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Music: Janna Audey, Musician
Web Info

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Dennis Ford
Web Info

Saturday, March 26

Oak Winery, Virginia
Event: Winemaker’s Dinner at Marriott Ranch with Sharon & Brian
 Web Info

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Trevor
 Web Info

Lorimar Winery, California
Event: Sister Speak Alternative Rock
 Web Info

Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Barrel Tasting
Web Info

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: 3rd Annual Kite Flight
 Web Info

Sunday, March 27

Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Ohio
Entertainment: Saturday Romone
 Web Info

Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Barrel Tasting
Web Info

Tarara Winery, Virginia
Event: Wine Club Lounge
 Web Info

Three Fox Vineyards, Virginia
Event: Food and Wine Pairings
Web Info

Ongoing Events

Lorimar Winery, California
Wine & Art Show Series?Through March/Heather Van Gaale
 Web Info

Tesoro Winery, California
Event: Up close magic by Magician/Comedian Rocky Osborn
Web Info

Fridays and Saturdays
TGISunsets
Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
Web Info

Pearmund Cellars, Virginia
Event: Relax and Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF)
Web Info

Ongoing March 11-May 13
Barrel Oak Winery, Virginia
“Seasons of the Piedmont” Oil Painting Exhibition
 Web Information
March thru April

Laurello Vineyards
Drawing for a Basket filled with wine, KINDLE, plus much more!
Raffle Tickets Available
Proceeds will support Breast Cancer research
Website Information

By Kathy | Posted in Winery Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Wineries Unlimited Conference is Next Week!

March 23, 2011 – 9:10 am

It’s not too late to decide to attend the Wineries Unlimited Conference in Richmond, Virginia. If you are interested or involved in any part of the wine industry, this is the Conference to attend on the East Coast this year!

The Trade Show will have 300 exhibitors showing a variety of wine industry quality items including bottles, corks, barrels, filters and so much more. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!

On March 29, there will be Pre-Conference Workshop sessions that will include Tasting Room Profitability, Wine/Case Club Summit, Newcomers Workshop, and “The Many Faces of Custom Crush.”

On Wednesday and Thursday, March 30-31 the Conference will offer a variety of sessions including Viticulture, Enology, Marketing & Sales and “Why Education Matters.”

Friday, April 1 is a Post Conference Workshop, “Public Relations Intensive:
The biggest bang you can get for your buck.” Registration for this workshop is separate from the Conference.

For more information, check out the Wineries Unlimited Trade Show & Conference.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary, Winery Events | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Discover New Zealand Soon

March 22, 2011 – 8:10 am

Flying to Auckland, New Zealand during late November took us about 22 hours from the East Coast of the United States. For those able to travel first class and sleep somewhat comfortably, they may be able start touring Auckland as soon as they drop off their bags at a hotel. If time allows take a ferry to Waiheke Island home to several small wineries including Destiny Bay.

As a first trip to New Zealand, we were with a tour group that was focused on visiting wineries between Auckland and Christchurch. There was a different driver for North Island and South Island. While we normally would rather rent a car, the bus transportation offered a lot of insight into New Zealand. The bus drivers would take the picturesque routes between wineries and cities. While passing close to the edge of the water we saw seals playing in the sun. A whale was spotted in the distance. As we traveled there was a distinct awesome feeling with the flat areas of land and nearby mountains decorated with snow, almost like frosting on a cake.

In Napier on Hawke’s Bay, the stay at the hotel was wonderful. At the Scenic Hotel Te Pania, all hotel rooms have windows facing Hawke’s Bay. One evening at dusk I enjoyed viewing the colorful water fountain while beyond the Bay beckoned me towards it. Meandering closer to it the waves playfully played a game of tag with me until my tan pants were wet to the knees. On the way back to the hotel, I met two people out for an evening walk. As they walked by and noticed how wet I was they smiled while I said, “I was acting like a little kid again.”

Later on in Wellington, before we took a large ferry from North Island to South Island, we visited Te Papa. This large national museum is awesome. The details in the exhibits are inspiring. Areas of interest include history, art, Maori and the natural environment. Adults and children will enjoy visiting Te Papa.

We spent a delightful time in Christchurch, where at the time the city was recovering well from the September 2010 earthquake. We wandered many of the streets that are in ruins now because of the February earthquake. As far away as we are from the devastation, our hearts hurt as we view footage of scenes of destruction where we had walked and met people only months earlier.

New Zealand is a delightful country to visit. The wineries are both boutique size and giants with some producing millions of cases of wine. The history of New Zealand is fascinating. Best of all are the friendly New Zealanders. Enjoy a visit to New Zealand soon.

Cheers, Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

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