Georgia wine drinkers will soon be able to shop online for their favorite Merlot or Chardonnay and have it delivered to their homes.

A bill signed into law this week by Gov. Sonny Perdue allows in-state and out-of-state wineries to ship their products to Georgia residents of legal drinking age. Before, they could ship wine only if the customer purchased it while visiting the winery.

But don't break out the credit card, turn on the computer and expect a case of wine on the doorstep just yet.

Here's a look at how the new shipping laws work.

When can Georgians start ordering wine online?

Check with wineries after July 1, when the law goes into effect. In-state and out-of-state wineries can start applying for shipping licenses now. Licenses costs $50 annually and take about 20 days for the state Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco Division to process.

What wineries will start shipping to Georgia residents?

Larger wineries whose products already are on Georgia store shelves might not rush to direct-shipping.

But smaller wineries that don't have wholesale agreements in the state stand to benefit more by selling directly to customers.

How much can each customer buy?

Wineries can't legally ship more than 12 standard cases of wine to one address or person in Georgia per year.

Who opposed the new shipping standards?

There wasn't any organized public protest against the Internet sales and shipping bill this session, and it passed easily through the Georgia House and Senate. In the past, some retailers opposed direct shipping, because they said it would hurt their business. Some churches opposed it, too, saying it would lead to underage drinking.

What prevents wineries from shipping to people younger than 21?

Wineries have to check buyers' ages by physically inspecting identification or using online verification systems. Each shipment must be stamped with the words "Alcoholic Beverages, Adult Signature Required." Shippers must get a signature from a person older than 21 before wine can be delivered.

Steve Gibson, president of the Winegrowers Association of Georgia and general manager of Habersham Winery in Helen, says direct-shipping hasn't been linked to underage drinking; at $15 a bottle for Georgia wine, it's too expensive. "I don't think most teenagers are planning a party a week ahead to buy a bottle of Georgia wine online," Gibson said.

What else is new for wine drinkers?

Perdue signed more wine-related bills into law this week.

One new law allows a restaurant customer with a receipt from dinner to take home an unfinished bottle of wine, as long as it is resealed, bagged and stowed in a locked glove compartment, trunk or space behind the last row of car seats.

Under another new law, limousine companies can buy alcohol from retailers and resell it to passengers of legal drinking age.

Another law signed this week allows some out-of-state wineries without a Georgia wholesaler to sell up to 24,000 gallons of their product in the state, acting as their own distributor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Winegrowers Association of Georgia: www.georgiawine.com.

Georgia Department of Revenue: www.dor.ga.gov.