Seattle-based Amazon is looking to sell wine in approximately 26 states and wine sold on its site will come from all regions of the country, Hall said.
Annual wine consumption in the United States has grown for the last 14 years as wine has gradually shed its image as an exclusive beverage for the well-heeled. Today, many enthusiasts are coming from all parts of the country and younger Americans are turning to wine-drinking as an alternative to beer.
Total U.S. wine sales were between $30 billion and $32 billion in 2007, according to Barbara Insel, president of Stonebridge Research Group, a research firm for the wine industry.
Some $2.8 billion is sold through retail formats like wine clubs, tasting rooms and the like, with only 7 percent of that coming from E-commerce, partly due to the expense of shipping wine, and confusing states rules on wine shipments, Insel said.
To avoid the confusing legal issues over the interstate sale of wine that vary from state to state, Amazon will be working with New Vine Logistics, a Napa, California-based company dealing in wine fulfillment that can deliver to up to 45 states.
"Amazon is outsourcing to New Vine the logistics of its wine direct business to make sure it's being done properly and legally," Insel said.
Confusion over online wine sales have continued despite a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled states could not discriminate against out-of-state wineries. A group called "Free the Grapes" has been working to streamline legislation and open new states to direct-to-consumer wine shipping.
And Maryland had best not be one of those 5 states. 
