One New Law to Celebrate

Jan. 5, 2015 – Thousands of new laws went into effect January 1, California topping the list with a total of 930 (how have we managed to have an orderly society in all the years prior to 2015 one wonders!)  The new law that’s had the most media coverage wasn’t from California but New York where it is now illegal to take a selfie with a tiger.  Was it written to protect the tiger or the idiot taking the picture?  But it was a Massachusetts law that got our attention.

For wine lovers a new law in Massachusetts allowing out-of-state wineries to ship directly to consumers is a reason to celebrate.  Even if you don’t live in the Bay State, any time a law from the 1930s bites the dust, it’s time to pop the cork.  After 10 years of haggling, wines that are not available in retail stores can now be enjoyed by Massachusetts residents.  Of course it comes with limitations but it’s a start.  The state ranks in the top five for wine consumption.

Legislation always needs someone to quarterback it to make it happen.  In this case, a genuine quarterback was involved in the person of Drew Bledoe, the former New England Patriots All-Pro quarterback who owns a respected winery in Washington state.  Mr. Bledoe complained to legislators that he couldn’t ship a bottle of his wine to a fan or to Tom Brady, the quarterback who succeeded him.

 As the saying goes, it’s not what you know but who you know.

Forty down.  Ten states to go.