Free The Grapes!

Here in California, consumers can have wine shipped to them without hassles, thus we are unfamiliar with the pains that folks in some states go to in order to get their vino. 15 states, including Maine, New Jersey, Virginia and Mississippi prohibit the direct shipment of wine to consumers. It’s actually a felony in Kentucky, Tennessee and Utah.

In an age where the Internet makes it easy to shop and buy great wines at great prices with the click of a mouse, consumers should have the ability to have that wine shipped conveniently to their homes. But unfortunately it isn’t that simple…

After prohibition was repealed in the 1930’s, the federal government amended the constitution to return power of alcohol sales regulation to the states. In many states, a “three-tier” system of distribution came into being, in which a winery sells to a distributor, who sells to a retailer, which then sells to customers. Subsequently, a handful of distributors control the bulk of the business in those states, and they aren’t interested in relinquishing any of that power and profit. So for the time being residents of those states are stuck.

But maybe not for long… In addition to making the purchase of wine a breeze, the Internet makes it easy for public assembly and protest. Discussion forums and Web-based reviews have gotten the word out and people are demanding change. One site in particular, www.freethegrapes.org is leading the charge in affecting change. Wine lovers, wineries and retailers are signing up and uniting to get their voices heard.

WineExpedition encourages all wine lovers to check it out and sign up. The removal of these outdated trade barriers will help strengthen the wine industry and benefit us all. Together, we can FREE THE GRAPES!

For more info, read the full article here at betanews.com or go directly to freethegrapes.org.