Giving my kids wine

[hotwine]

I'm not a lawyer, but serving alcoholic beverages to minors is illegal in any state.
Now, what's an alcoholic beverage? Generally, beer, wine, or distilled spirits. How about cough medicines, some of which have as much alcohol as does a fortified wine? That's a medicine, so it's not illegal to serve to a minor, unless used recreationally.
I'd not serve wine to a minor in a restaurant; some bluenose sitting nearby could see it and call the law. But in my own opinion doing so in your own home is the way to teach your youngsters how to responsibly handle alcohol. But be careful: your child's friends should not be included in your "lessons" about alcohol, and your child should be old enough to understand the "lesson " he's being taught. Pre-teen is too young to understand, while late teens is a good time to learn IMHO. Mid-teens is danger-central, and I'd wait until he's at least 18.