Monday greetings,

Legislation that would legalize direct wine shipments to Delaware cleared one hurdle last week.

As noted in the story above, a Napa wine country group, Free the Grapes. hailed the move, but took note of one deep flaw.

An exemption that appeases the state’s powerful liquor lobby would bar wines from direct shipment if the vintner is using the state’s antiquated and rigid three-tier system.

The system requires liquor stores, bars and restaurants to receive shipments directly from Delaware distributors.

In the past several years, liquor store customers have seen a wider variety of wines in Delaware as national giants buy out long-time local distributors that had mainly been under the control of one family. Also, some boutique distributors have emerged.

Still, the direct shipment exemption adds more paperwork and would increase the number of “illegal” shipments into the state.

Many years, ago, I had some bottles shipped to my home, not realizing that the practice was illegal. Don’t kid yourself, the practice continues.

Then again, the passage of the proposed legislation may be a necessary way to get a common-sense law on the books. There is nothing to stop an effort next year  that would jettison the liquor lobby concession.

Have an adequate day. (It isn’t  always easy to have a great Monday). The newsletter returns tomorrow. – Doug Rainey, publisher.