Massachusetts Lawmakers to Hear Testimony on Wine Direct Shipping, Tuesday, May 10th

Everyone once in a while I get an E-mail I've been waiting a long time for and knock out a blog post immediately. Just now I received this press release from Free the Grapes about an important hearing this coming Tuesday in Massachusetts.

MA HB 1029 would finally, mercifully, allow direct shipment of wine from out of state wineries to Massachusetts residents.

Here's a quick Q&A with Free the Grapes:

WWP: What would you suggest MA wine consumers do to right now to help MA HB 1029 pass and allow direct shipment from out-of-state wineries to MA consumers?

Free the Grapes: We encourage Massachusetts wine lovers to express their support of wine direct shipping in their state by sending letters to the committee?s leadership through our website. Next week we will update the distribution list beyond the committee to include all MA legislators, in order for us to broaden the message. http://capwiz.com/freegrapes/issues/alert/?alertid=34295506

WWP: If the bill passes, how long until direct shipments become a reality?

Free the Grapes: It?s too early to tell. Like in other states, the licensing parameters and common carrier approvals precede issuing winery licenses. To use Maryland as an example, the bill will be signed by the Governor next week on 5/10, but the comptroller?s office is prepping documents and regulations to meet the law?s effective date of 7/1/11. This is common.

WWP: Would the bill allow direct shipments from out of state retailers to MA consumers?

Free the Grapes: No. The bill allows for wine shipments from licensed wineries directly to Massachusetts consumers.

From the press release:

May 6, 2011, Napa, CA ?  On Tuesday, May 10 the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure will hold a public hearing to discuss House Bill 1029. Passage of this bill would mark an end to the state?s archaic ban on wine shipments from licensed wineries directly to Massachusetts consumers, according to Free the Grapes!, the national coalition of consumers, wineries and retailers. www.freethegrapes.org

Hearing Details:

What: House Bill 1029
Who: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
When: Tuesday, May 10, 2011; 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: Massachusetts State House, Room A-1, 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
Bill Information: http://www.malegislature.gov/bills/187/house/h01029

HB 1029 conforms to the ruling Family Winemakers of California v. Jenkins, which was upheld by the 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in January 2010. The lawsuit successfully challenged a 2006 Massachusetts statute banning winery-to-consumer shipments from wineries and wine companies producing more than 30,000 gallons per year, and who retain a wholesaler. The 30,000 gallon capacity cap was ruled to be discriminatory and the legislature was tasked with developing a remedy.

Introduced in February by Representative David M. Torrisi, HB 1029 is similar to the model direct shipping bill that is the foundation for statutes in the majority of U.S. states, providing legal, regulated direct shipping to consumers. Among other provisions, HB 1029 requires wineries to purchase a state-issued shipping license, to mark boxes as requiring an adult signature at delivery, and limits the quantity of wine shipped to individuals to 24 cases per year. The basis for HB 1029, the model direct shipping bill, was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and supported by the Federal Trade Commission.

Thirty-seven states and Washington D.C. ? but not Massachusetts ? allow licensed wineries to ship directly to consumers ? those states account for 83% of US wine consumption. Massachusetts is the seventh largest wine consumption state in the U.S. however it is one of 17 states that continue to ban winery-to-consumer direct shipments. Maryland Governor O?Malley is scheduled to sign House and Senate Bills later this month to allow winery direct shipping, which will make Maryland the 38th state to allow winery direct shipping.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/s7hQwJrULRk/massachusetts-lawmakers-to-hear.html

Rose McGowan Roselyn Sanchez Rozonda Thomas Saira Mohan

Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s April 30th Release ? Tasting Notes

Due to a change of date for the Vintages tasting, I was able to scribe a few notes on the next two releases. The focus this month is ?All in the Family?, otherwise known as Aussie dynasties and their notable wines. Interesting to note, all but two of the Australian wines were in screw top [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/NAJUQ-xw5nU/alan-kerr%e2%80%99s-vintage%e2%80%99s-april-30threlease

Soft Cell Sophia Bush Stacy Keibler Summer Altice

Taste of the Nation Boston Thursday, April 14th 2011

Coming Thursday April 14th, 2011 to Boston is Taste of the Nation - an expo style event where you can taste food from local restaurants along with wine from around the world. Beer, cocktails and entertainment too.

I attended last year on a press pass and enjoyed the quality and breadth of the offerings. Interesting wines, creative dishes, and festive yet manageable crowds. There was something for everyone and proceeds go to a good cause.

A sampling out the participating restaurants:

  • Craigie on Main
  • Hamersley's Bistro
  • KO Prime
  • L'Espalier
  • The Oak Room
  • Redbones
  • Jasper White's Summer Shack
From their press release:

Boston?s Culinary Icons Come Together for the City?s Largest Hunger Fundraiser
Share Our Strength?s Taste of the Nation Boston Hosts 23rd Annual Fundraiser on April 14th

Boston, MA ? Inspired by a passion to fight childhood hunger, Boston?s hottest chefs, restaurants and mixologists will gather for Share Our Strength?s Taste of the Nation® benefit, the city?s premier culinary event. Taste of the Nation Boston, which will be held on April 14, 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center, will raise the critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength?s efforts to end childhood hunger in Boston and across the nation by 2015.

Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $73 million for organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad, including more than $1.4 million in Boston alone. Area charities that will benefit from this year?s event include The Greater Boston Food Bank; Food for Free Committee; Cooking Matters, formerly known as Operation Frontline ? Massachusetts; and Project Bread/The Walk for Hunger.

WHAT: Share Our Strength?s 23rd annual Taste of the Nation Boston

WHEN: Thursday April 14, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. ? 9:00 p.m. EST; VIP reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street Boston, MA

WHO: More than 65 of the city?s finest chefs and restaurants will participate in the gastronomic event. Along with Andy Husbands of Tremont 647 and the last season of Hells Kitchen, and Jody Adams of Rialto, participating restaurants will include Gargoyles on the Square, Hamersley?s Bistro, L?Espalier, Sel de la Terre, Summer Shack and Oceanaire. Attendees will also be able to sample over 100 different varietals of wine and sample a variety of cocktails prepared by some of Boston?s premiere mixologists.

DETAILS: Tickets for Taste of the Nation Boston are $90 in advance / $100 at door for General Admission tickets are $150 in advance / $160 at the door for VIP and can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting www.strength.org/boston  or www.TasteOfTheNation.org.
For more information about Taste call 202-478-6516. To purchase tickets or to get involved, visit TasteOfTheNation.org.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/3MV4wokW65U/taste-of-nation-boston-thursday-april.html

Scarlett Johansson Selita Ebanks Shakara Ledard Shakira

A Wine for Tonight: 2009 Bodegas Ateca Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won?t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week?s selection, the 2009 Bodegas Ateca Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines from the Calatayud [...]

A Wine for Tonight: 2009 Bodegas Ateca Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WinePeeps/~3/p25_r-4Rv9M/

Leelee Sobieski Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri Lena Headey

Inside Scoop: Top Picks at Sunday's Bin Ends Fine Wine Flea Market

On Sunday, March 27th 2011 from 1-5 pm Bin Ends Wine in Braintree, MA is having their monthly fine wine flea market where you get to try before you buy 50+ wines on sale at special event pricing.

Here's a sampling of notable wines being poured at the event: 

  • Wine/Retail/Sale Price/Savings
  • Burge Family D & OH    $49.00    $24.50    50% 
  • Artessa Reserve Cabernet 05    $43.00    $21.50    50%
  • Colonial Estates Chardonnay 05    $40.00    $20.00    50%
  • R Wines First Class Shiraz 07    $40.00    $20.00    50%
  • Conn Valley Chardonay 06    $36.00    $18.00    50%
  • Monastero Chianti Classico Reserva 03    $30.00    $15.00    50%
  • Cosentino Napa Cabernet 03    $25.00    $12.50    50%
  • B Cellars Blend 24  05    $40.00    $24.00    40%
  • Brothers in Arms Shiraz 01    $40.00    $24.00    40%
  • Tolaini Valdisanti IGT 06    $39.00    $23.35    40%
  • Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 05    $33.00    $19.80    40% 
  • Pra Soave Montegrande 07    $30.00     $20.00     33%
  • Herve Azo Sauvignon St Bris 09- Organic    $18.00    $12.00    33%
Save an additional 10% on each item ordered in quantities of 6 or more bottles.

Check 'em out:
Bin Ends Wine
236 Wood Road, Braintree, MA
(781)817-1212


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/KhR5BaIqCL4/inside-scoop-top-picks-at-bin-ends-fine.html

Rachel Bilson Rachel Blanchard Rachel Hunter Rachel McAdams