"Wine with dinner?" Don't let the question confuse you. It's not a question of whether you want wine with dinner. It's a question about whether Minnesota should change the state's liquor law. The legislature is considering a bill (H.F. 1205) that would allow supermarkets in the metropolitan area to obtain licenses to sell wine. Does the benefit of not having to make a special stop at a liquor store outweigh the problems associated with the increased availability of alcohol? The grocers association claims the advantage of permitting grocery store wine sales, is one of convenience for shoppers ("A vintage debate," 2001, March 4). Minnesota's neighboring states of Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota are among 33 states that allow the sale of wine in grocery stores. Passage of this bill, and the convenience it may provide for some shoppers, is raising concern for public health and safety. Studies have demonstrated that increasing the outlets for the sale of wine also increases the access and consumption of alcohol (MacDonald & Whitehead 1983; Gruenewald, Ponicki & Golder, 1993; Gruenewald, 1998). This in turn increases the social and health problems associated with drinking. Many are also concerned that putting wine on grocery shelves will lead to more underage drinking ("A vintage debate," March 4, 2001). The added convenience of purchasing wine in the grocery store needs to be reconciled against the added risk of alcohol consumption, youth access and the additional cost to society that passage of this bill would bring.