MICHIGAN CORK SNIFFERS GAIN MORE ACCESS TO WINE

Michigan residents are no longer limited to what retail stores have to offer. On December 5 the Michigan state house voted 104-0 to approve legislation that would allow in-state and out-of-state wineries to ship up to 1,500 cases of wine a year directly to consumers. The house also voted 103-1 to make wineries pay a $100 fee for a state license to ship their product to consumers. In addition, a bill was passed that allows Michigan winemakers to distribute directly to restaurants and retailers while out-of-state wineries must continue to use wholesalers. And while most people view Michigan’s new legislation as a victory, the issue of minors gaining easier access to alcohol was solved with a law forcing wineries to obtain a faxed copy of the buyer’s driver's license or use an age-verification service.