| The Wine Consumer Issue revolves around three | | | | years as wine popularity and demand has |
| primary axes. One axis is the ever-increasing | | | | increased the number of wine wholesalers has |
| demand by the consumer as wine popularity | | | | drastically diminished. The wines currently |
| soars. Another angle to the wine consumer issue | | | | marketed are generally limited to two or three |
| is the wholesalers, the traditional intermediaries, | | | | distributors in each state with a great deal of |
| seek to protect their state-sanctioned monopolies, | | | | interest in keeping direct wine shipping laws in |
| in other words, they want their share of the | | | | place. |
| "American Money Pie". The last issue axis | | | | Did you know that only thirty-five states now |
| revolves around the old-fashion laws regarding | | | | allow the retail shipment of wine to adult |
| shipment of wine across state lines. All of these | | | | consumers across their respective borders? In |
| issue components serve to restrict your ability to | | | | those states, the shipping restrictions range from |
| buy and ship your favorite wine no matter where | | | | limited to very restrictive. Fifteen states continue |
| you get it. | | | | their ban on any form of cross border shipping of |
| An ever-increasing favorite beverage of many | | | | wine. Some of these states even classify that act |
| people is wine and demand for wine is increasing | | | | as a felony. Imagine; obtaining the wine you want |
| rapidly. With over one-thousand different wine | | | | from where you want could have you facing |
| varieties, the choices seem nearly infinite. Wine | | | | criminal charges. |
| tasting parties are very popular and great events | | | | This wine consumer dilemma became apparent to |
| to get to know other people. In the past thirty | | | | me after visiting the website of a great |
| years, the number of wineries increased by | | | | organization: Free The Grapes. This organization |
| several hundred percent. There is now at least | | | | was established in 1998 to address directly the |
| one winery in every state, but distributors in all | | | | wine consumer issue that is summarized above |
| fifty states represent less than twenty percent | | | | from their website. By visiting their website, you |
| of these wineries. The issue is consumers do not | | | | can get more specific information regarding the |
| have the freedom everywhere to obtain wine | | | | wine consumer controls associated within the |
| from their favorite vintners. | | | | state you live. |
| The traditional American business model starts | | | | Maybe it is time we wine lovers got involved with |
| with a producer that leads to a wholesaler that | | | | this issue so our enjoyment of wine can continue |
| leads to the consumer. The wholesalers in this | | | | unabated. Of course, that is my opinion; you |
| equation are naturally fighting your ability to | | | | should develop an opinion of your own with |
| purchase and ship directly from the producer of | | | | regard to this issue. |
| your choice, strictly a matter of money. In last 30 | | | | |