Having invested in the most capital intensive model of wine web retailing,
Wine.com seems intent on ruining the whole concept of direct shipping for everyone.While this may temporarily give Wine.com some press, I do not believe hurting your consumer is the way to go, particularly in such a sensitive fight over the legal wranglings involving direct shipping laws.
With these new developments I am inclined to agree with
Steve Bachman of Vinfolio. The consumer is missing in this fight for choice and access to wine. While Steve recommends supporting the retailers that are part of
Specialty Wine Retailers Association and I agree with that, I would also suggest joining the fight through
Free the Grapes.In the end consumers need to fight for access to wine. Access to wine from the retailer down the street, the winery in the next county over, the next state over, and from retailers and wineries overseas.
The consumer also needs to start fighting for their rights of personal property, an issue that I will cover again and again. Let me just say, it is easier to resell a gun you may own than it is to sell your wine collection in most states.
