Tom Wark has created a "must read" summary of what is a complex topic in his recent Fermentation blog post titled "The Three-Tier System and Consumer Access to Wine." Make sure you read the comments too.
Why you should read it
- If you're a wine collector or enthusiast and have problems buying wine out-of-state because of interstate shipping barriers, Tom's post provides the historical rationale for the 3-tier system and why it evolved the way it has to create such consumer access issues.
- If you're confused about why a winery can ship to you but a retailer in the same state cannot, you'll learn why.
- If you thought the 2005 Supreme Court decision, Graham vs. Heald, solved the consumer access issue once and for all, learn why it didn't.
- If you live outside the U.S. and don't understand why the U.S. regulatory environment is so complex, reading the post provides a good foundation. Frankly, Tom's post should become required reading in any serious wine education program worldwide.
Bottom line: Invest 5-10 minutes and you'll be glad you did.
