Amazon wine plans go up in smoke

Online retail phenomenon Amazon has been forced to abandon its plans to sell wine. The decision was made after the company faced difficult alcohol legislation and logistical dilemmas in the US.

It is believed that after exploring the details of long-established regulatory barriers which work against shipping alcoholic beverages within the US, Amazon has decided not to press ahead with the wine arm of its business.

In an e-mail sent to wineries which had signed up for to work with AmazonWines, Amazon said: “We have recently decided not to resume shipping. As you know, we were excited to work with you to build the AmazonWine business.

"Many of you took the time and leap of faith to really support us. For that reason, this was a very tough choice for us.”

Amazon was originally planning to sell wine in October last year, having teamed up with a number of different sources including a Napa-based company called New Vine Logistics.

A spokesperson for Amazon said it would not be providing any additional details of the decision.

Jane Parkinson, 02.11.2009