One of the most frequently asked questions I get is where can consumers purchase the wines they read about in this column or other wine reviews. I make an effort to make sure that many of the wines that I write about are available in local wine shops. However, once in a while, area shops may not carry a particular wine or the wine may be available in limited quantities.
Until recently, consumers had little choice about how they purchased wines, limited only to wines that merchants carried. That all changed on May 16, 2005, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states that permitted wineries to ship wine out of their jurisdiction must also allow wineries outside of the state to ship wines in. The lawsuit pitted the state’s rights groups, who argued for preservation of state alcohol regulation systems based on the 21st Amendment, and wholesalers, who control about 98 percent of the wine market, against the small winery owners who felt that the existing three-tier system of distribution failed to adequately represent their wines. This left wine lovers with relatively limited means to obtain small-volume production wines.
The District has allowed residents to receive wine shipments for quite some time, and Virginia opened its borders shortly after the high court’s ruling. Until recently, Maryland was the lone holdout in the area. Starting July 1, Maryland joined its neighbors, allowing wineries located outside the state to ship up to 18 cases of wine per year to Maryland residents who are of legal drinking age. The Maryland bill excludes shipments from out-of-state retailers.
But just because consumers can get wines shipped to their doorstep doesn’t necessarily mean they should. Most states still require the winery to collect sales taxes on the transaction, often adding $3 to $5 per bottle to the price tag.
Developing a relationship with a local wine shop can have many ancillary benefits. First, in my opinion, is the exposure to a variety of varietals. As your merchant gets to know you and your palate, he or she can offer suggestions that can broaden both your knowledge and your appreciation of different styles of wines. Next, many wine shops will actually let you try a wine before you buy it. Or, at the very least, will include you on an email list that will alert you to in-store wine tastings, many featuring winemakers or producers.
I also like the fact that I can buy a couple of bottles to take home and enjoy them in a more neutral environment. That way, if I like the wine, I can always call the wine shop and ask them to put a few more bottles aside for me. A few too many times I have had my “wine goggles” on while visiting a winery or wine shop and end up ordering a case (or two) of a particular wine only to discover that once I get it home, I am not as in love with it as I thought I was.
Several wine shops in the area offer presale notices for highly allocated wines, as well as invitations to wine dinners or upscale tasting opportunities to clients. Lastly, many wine shops offer discounts to regular customers, especially if they are recommending a particular wine. It is always prudent to ask for a “case discount” (usually 10 percent or more) when you are buying 12 or more bottles of wine from any merchant.
The bottom line is that shipping laws now provide more options to consumers to purchase hard-to-find or “cult” status wines that local wine shops may not have access to, and that’s a good thing. But I would recommend that consumers first ask their local wine merchants to find and acquire a particular wine on their behalf. If you do order wine online, make sure that the juice is worth the proverbial squeeze. Shipping charges and exposure to extreme temperatures in transit can turn your prized wine into sour grapes.
