Wine shipments denied in Delaware

Delaware residents hoping to get their wine without heading to the liquor store will have to wait after state lawmakers don’t act on a bill allowing direct wine shipments.

The State House Economic Development Committee voted not to release a bill allowing home wine deliveries, meaning the measure will not be heard on the House floor.  The bill drew criticism from Delaware’s very vocal liquor distributor industry, whose members say home deliveries will cost them money.  

Supporters say Delaware is behind the times when it comes to home wine delivery.  State Rep. Deborah Hudson (R- Fairthorne) says Maryland will allow direct shipment starting on July 1st, leaving Delaware as one of just 12 states not to allow the shipments.  She says Delaware consumers are being neglected in favor of distributors.  “Under this convoluted system, distributors have lucrative, state-protected semi-monopolies that drive up costs, while reducing convenience and consumer choice.”

Supporters of the bill say direct shipment customers often order speciality wines that often are not available at the local liquor store.