Grape Barrier Beef

Yesterday the Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases involving bans on direct interstate shipments of wine. The appeals ask the Court to decide whether such bans are an unconstitutional impediment to interstate commerce or a justified precaution against tax evasion and underage drinking, authorized by the 21st Amendment. In one case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit upheld New York's direct shipment ban; in the other, the 6th Circuit overturned Michigan's ban. Eighteen other states have similar laws, which make it difficult to obtain products from small wineries.