For the first time ever in Southeastern Pennsylvania, a customer purchased wine from a vending machine at a supermarket.
The wine kiosk that opened this morning, right next to the gourmet cheese department at the Fresh Grocer, is only the third of its kind in the state.
The Liquor Control Board tested two of the machines in central Pennsylvania.
Their goal is to make wine-buying convenient, while ensuring that underage drinkers or people who are already intoxicated can't make purchases.
To that end, buyers have to insert their photo ID which is matched to their image on the machine's camera by an LCB worker at a remote location. They then have to take an on-site breathalyzer test.
The technology used in the machine was developed by Homeland Security.
The kiosk stocks about 50 different wines ranging from $5.99 Fish Eye Shiraz to a Moet and Chandon sparkling wine for $39.99.
In all, the Liquor Control Board plans to open 100 of these supermarket kiosks over the next five months.
