Wine shipping bill gets initial approval

Submitted by The Associated Press on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 09:59

AUGUSTA -- Out-of-state vineyards and producers will be allowed to ship wine to Maine homes if a bill that's won a House endorsement is enacted by the Legislature.

The House of Representatives on Thursday gave initial approval to Rep. Melissa Walsh Innes' bill by a 107-39 vote.

The Yarmouth Democrat's bill would allow Maine consumers to order wine from in-state and out-of-state vineyards, provided the vineyard has a license to do business with Maine residents.

Wine shipped to consumers would have to be conspicuously labeled, and could not be delivered without a valid photo ID that proves the consumer is over 21 years of age. The bill would also allow Maine wineries to export wine to consumers who live out-of-state.

The bill faces further House and Senate votes.

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Finally!!! This is way over

Submitted by Kathy Fitzmaurice on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 18:33.

Finally!!! This is way over due. Some of us would like to buy a nice bottle of wine from other places.  Kids do not want wine they want Allen's Coffee Brandy or cheap beer.

First of all.... young

Submitted by Kevin James on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 17:17.

First of all.... young practicing drinkers don't drink WINE !  The majority of them can't stand the stuff.

Second... they wouldn't be buying wine that arrives in two weeks! They want booze NOW when they want to drink.

They aren't exactly planning dinner parties and aren't stocking the wine cellar.

Third... They can usually get cheap beer, vodka and coffee brandy NOW anyway. They aren't going to hang around the house and get carded by the mailman or the UPS driver.

Fourth... most people buy wine at the store. So the risk of wine shipped to Maine falling into the hands of a young practicing drinker is minimal.

 

I listened to the debate

Submitted by Ginny Watson on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 13:50.

I listened to the debate yesterday on line and understand that the delivery agents (such as the Post Office) are experienced and prepared to do this in Maine.  They are subject to a $5000 penalty for each violation of delivering wine to an underage person.  I'm concerned about underage drinking, but don't see this law as creating any additional access for youth.  In fact, you can already go on line to illegally have wine delivered to your home.  This law is for the benefit of adult consumers in Maine (and for the Maine wineries who will now be able to direct ship their product in and out of state).

There are several small

Submitted by Tom Hitchins on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 13:08.

There are several small wineries in Maine with big tourist followings. They could do very well with being able to ship wines to out-of-staters. Then they might hire more people, pay more taxes and well gosh...we can't have that sort of thing. Lets all back the blue-noses who oppose this.

Do you really think kids are

Submitted by Darren McLellan on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 11:51.

Do you really think kids are going to order wine? Kids want liquor now, not in 10 days to 2 weeks. To think otherwise is just plain foolish.

I am suprised the gov has not come out against this. How will they be able to tax it?

So the ID checks are going to

Submitted by The Craz on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 10:50.

So the ID checks are going to be the responsibilty of the mailman/woman or the UPS driver?? It seems to me this is a great way for  under age kids to get liquor.

Maine is one of the few

Submitted by James Thompson on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 10:23.

Maine is one of the few states left that restricts this.  They should really rethink this.  There is a real danger that Maine might start to be thought of as business friendly.  Maybe they can increase corporate taxes to offset this.