Evolution Of Direct Shipping Of Wine In The United States -- Economic, Legal And Political Considerations

Abstract

The study examines the effort of wine producers and others in the United States to permit direct shipping of wine to consumers bypassing the traditional three-tier system, where product typically flows from the supplier, to the wholesaler, to the retailer, and ultimately the consumer. The case study places an emphasis on the economic, legal and political issues that have been faced by state legislatures when considering proposals to permit direct shipping. The analysis will discuss the history and evolution of public policies and state laws in the past three decades and will focus on the Maryland experience.