Delaware Contemplates Law Banning Shipment of French Wines
National Association of Wine Retailers Ask For A Fair and Consumer Friendly Wine Shipping Law
The following statement was issued by National Association of Wine Retailers’ Executive Director Tom Wark on the attempt in Delaware to pass a wine shipping law that would ban shipment of all French, Italian, Spanish and other imported wines sold by retailers, while allowing only shipments from American wineries.
“Once again the Delaware legislature is attempting to pass a law that allows Delawareans to receive wine shipments from out of state wineries, while making it illegal for residents to receive shipments of all French, Italian, Spanish or any other wine sold by an out-of-state wine retailer. It’s a nonsensical ban on the shipment of any imported wine, any wines from “wine of the month” clubs, of most Kosher wines and the rare and collectible wines by out-of-state wine auction houses.
“Senate Bill 49, sponsored by Senator Dave Sokola (R), is a good idea, but poorly executed. As with past attempts to give Delawareans access to wines now hard to find in the state, SB 49 allows consumer wine shipments from out-of-state—but only from out-of-state wineries.
“But what of the hundreds of thousands of imported wines only sold in the U.S. by wine stores and wine retailers. Why should these be off limits? Why should Delaware residents be labeled criminals if they ship in a French wine from an out-of-state wine store, but not if they have an Oregon Pinot Noir shipped to them from a winery? The distinction is without merit.
“Delaware wine consumers and commonsense demand better from their lawmakers and those pushing the ban on shipment of imported wines. Delaware consumers should have access to the thousands of French, Italian, German, Spanish and other imported wines that are only sold in the U.S. by wine retailers.
“This looming attempt to criminalize Delaware wine lovers who prefer French, German, New Zealand, Argentine, Italian or the coveted Bordeaux and Burgundy wines that are in short supply can easily be fixed by members of the Senate Banking, Business and Insurance committee who will conduct a hearing on SB 49 on April 10. The bill merely needs to be amended to allow wine shipments from out-of-state retailers in addition to out-of-state wineries.
“Delaware residents may receive out-of-state shipments of food, but there is no ban on Spanish ham shipments. They may receive shipments of shoes, but there is no ban on Italian loafers. They may receive shipments of books, but there is no ban on French novels. Why is Delaware contemplating a ban on the shipment of imported wines from retailers?
“If Delaware is finally going to drag its wine laws out of the 20th century by allowing consumers to receive shipments from out-of-state, they shouldn’t do so by also implementing a ban on certain wines just because they are sold by retailers and not wineries The Delaware legislature, starting with the Senate Banking, Business and Insurance Committee, ought to pass a clean, inclusive, fair and consumer-friendly wine shipping bill.”
About The National Association of Wine Retailers
The National Association of Wine Retailers represents the interests of wine stores and retailers, wine-of-the-month clubs, and wine auction houses located across the country. Together, with support from wine consumers, the Association seeks a fair and modern wine marketplace. For more information: www.nawr.org.
