R.I. considers allowing wine shipments to consumers

Rhode Island wine snobs can take heart: legislation pending in the Statehouse would allow direct shipments of wine to a consumer's door.

Currently Rhode Island is one of about a dozen states that don't permit wineries or wine retailers to ship directly to consumers. That would change under a bill reviewed by a state Senate committee Wednesday.

To prevent a pinot from falling into the wrong hands, the proposal would require consumers to show ID and sign for all deliveries. Consumers would be limited to 24 cases a year from a single distributor who is licensed by the state to ship wine.

Currently, Rhode Island residents may only receive wine shipments if they placed the order in person at a winery or wine retailer.