Bottle Stoppers
Last summer, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned New York's restrictions on wine shipments, the state legislature changed the law so consumers can order directly from out-of-state wineries. But the New York State Liquor Authority seems to be dragging its feet in implementing the new law. On Friday The New York Times reported the agency initially insisted that package carriers accustomed to using hand-held computers for deliveries fill out a paper form when they deliver wine:
"No one has ever come up with as convoluted a signature gathering and reporting requirement as the State of New York originally proposed," said Steve Gross, director of state relations for the Wine Institute, a trade group of several hundred wine growers that has been involved in the talks with New York officials over the issue….
The form requires the delivery person to fill out by hand the name and address of the shipping company, a license number of the shipping company and a number assigned for the particular delivery, as well as the name of the winery, a shipping number for the winery, the winery's license number and the winery's address. Then the deliverer must fill out the name and address of the person receiving the shipment as well as information describing the kind of identification presented, and the time and date of delivery. The signature of the recipient is also required.
[A Liquor Authority spokeswoman] would not comment on the form, other than to say, "we have to adhere to the law."
But the law that went into effect in July does not appear to require such paper documentation. It does "require a recipient to sign an electronic or paper form or other acknowledgment of receipt, as approved by the authority," as well as present identification establishing that he or she is 21 or older.
[A UPS spokewoman] said that getting the signature and identification was already required. "All of the other states will accept our procedures and verification that we do."
Apparently UPS and New York's booze bureaucrats have come to an understanding. On Friday the Liquor Authority announced that UPS had been approved as a wine carrier.
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The direct wine shipment case is one of the few (only?) that the SCOTUS got exactly right. New York can regulate wine shipments however it wants (over burdensome paperwork included) as long as the same rules apply, for in state as for out of state shippers.
Glad to see the legislature and the boozeacrats came to an understanding, because one of my holiday purchases is going to be a nice port ordered online.
(Recommendations welcome!)
We can’t have them chillins drinkin’ expensive-ass wine! Why does UPS hate Amerikkka?
Anyone have a good recommendation on an Arneis? My wife recently discovered it and has loves it. PA state stores only have two brands readily available. TWC can you hear me?
Well Happy Birthday to ME!
Now maybe I can get my fix of Three Philosophers here in New Jersey, without having to drive into New York State to find it.
Ommegang
wine.com has a Cockburn port that I just read a review of, and is apparently quite good. Cheap too.
I can tell you all about Cockburn, just click on my ad.
Matt Furey,
The trick is, to keep your carpets nice and slippery by shampooing them often.