Reply #101: Supreme Court Strikes Down Ban on Interstate Wine Sales

[54anickel]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/scotus_wine.html

Wine lovers may be rejoicing, but those concerned with underage drinking will be in mourning. The Supreme Court has struck down state laws that ban interstate wine shipments -- in effect legalizing the sale of wine over the Internet in states that permit direct sales of wine.

By a 5-4 vote, the high court overturned New York and Michigan laws that made it illegal to buy wine from out-of-state vineyards, saying the statutes were discriminatory and anticompetitive.


The 21st Amendment ended Prohibition in 1933 and granted states authority to regulate alcohol sales. Twenty-four states subsequently passed laws requiring that wine from out-of-state vineyards be sold through licensed wholesalers within the state, thus allowing state governments to collect millions in alcohol taxes.

Although most consumer advocates are expected to applaud the court's action -- since it is expected to provide a better variety at lower cost -- those concerned with underage drinking may be alarmed since, like cigarettes, wine can be easily purchased by minors from sites that require little or not proof of age.

more...