Assistant House Majority Leader Robert Duplessie, D, Westbrook, has authored a bill to allow wine to be shipped from in-state or out-of-state wineries directly to the home of Maine residents.
“This more progressive, open-minded approach would be a win for responsible wine consumers and our local farm wineries,” said Duplessie.
Current state law limits the shipment of wine to wholesalers, preventing wine lovers and vacationers from purchasing wine to be shipped to their homes.
“Wine buffs may like to order a label that is not available on store shelves in Maine and vacationers may want to ship wine home rather than travel with it, but Maine law does not allow this,” said Duplessie.
Duplessie’s bill would allow Mainers to purchase a wider selection of wine and also assist Maine wineries in expanding their local markets. Currently, over thirty states allow such direct shipping.
Similar legislation has previously failed in Maine, due in part to concerns over minors’ ability to purchase alcohol over the Internet.
If passed, Duplessie’s bill would allow wineries to apply for a special license, ship no more than 24 cases of wine a year to an individual adult and collect all applicable taxes as if the wine sold in Maine.
The bill also requires that all wine shipped to consumers be conspicuously labeled with the words “contains alcohol: signature of person age 21 or older required for delivery.”
In addition, if the recipient appears to be under 27 years old, a photo ID with birth date will be required as is done at the retail level and a paper or electronic signature will be necessary. A winery or shipper will be subject to the same penalties as a Maine retailer who knowingly sells alcohol to a minor.
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