So many wines, so little time. What is going on with all these wines on the shelf? Where are they from and how did they get here? If you are feeling confused—even disillusioned—while strolling the wine aisles of your local liquor store, you are not alone. A December 2012 University of Michigan study revealed that a small number of distributors control the majority of wine brands you see on the shelves, creating an “illusion of diverse ownership.” It’s a fact people in the industry know well, but one that evades many consumers.