Maryland cans direct-to-home wine deliveries

A law allowing bought wine to be shipped directly to homes in the US state of Maryland has been shelved.

Maryland legislators have killed the idea on the grounds of preventing underage drinking and tax evasion.

When the bill was filed earlier this month, it had the support of 106 of the 188 state legislators and was thought it could generate $1.5 million a year in state and excise taxes.

However, senator Joan Carter Conway, chairwoman of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the bill, refused to bring the bill up for a hearing, effectively killing the legislation.

Maryland’s local wine industry is up in arms about the decision, saying it limits consumers’ choices. Adam Borden, director of Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws, told the FrederickNewsPost: “We all know the under-age argument is so ridiculous. I’m surprised they even continue to use it.

“The fact that they can no longer come up with valid arguments against it, to me proves that there really is no reason to not pass the legislation. Unless of course they are only concerned with lining their own pockets with campaign contributions from the few large wholesalers in the state."

Meanwhile Carol Wilson of Elk Run Vineyards, one of several Frederick County wineries, said: "All the arguments by Conroy do not hold water statistically across the country. Conroy says she has better things to worry about but I thought revenue was a high priority.

“When will someone question how bills are presented by the heads of certain committees? How is that listening to the people? If the current regulatory system works so well how come it is challenged every session? What about progress and keeping up with the times and constituents’ desires?"

Currently, the ability to ship bottled wine to homes is legal in 37 of the US’ 50 states.

Jane Parkinson, 01.03.2010