Doors to wine sales could open wide
ANTHONY GISMONDI
There is a great deal of optimism that Bill C- 311, a private member’s bill proposed by Okanagan- Coquihalla MP Dan Albas, will eventually pass through Parliament and quash a 1920s ban on the inter-provincial movement of liquor. But will the provincial monopolies give up the hammer that easily?
Last December, federal MPS voted unanimously to support the bill, effectively amending the aforementioned and allpowerful Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act ( IILA) to allow individuals to import wine for their personal use. Casually transporting or shipping booze across provincial boundaries has been banned since the IILA was implemented in 1928.
Pressure to get a new deal for consumers comes from the mutual interest of Canadian wineries and their Canadian customers who want free and unfettered access to each other, as is the case for most other goods sold across the country. I have little to add to the argument. The law is stupid, and it’s been outdated for decades, long before Canadian wine came to prominence. But wine is wine and I’m not sure the MPS responding to the Canadian wine industry and its customers understand all the ramifications lifting that ban will entail.
Canadians living in Ontario pay about half the tax of those living in British Columbia do on a bottle of wine bought in their government liquor stores. That is why the Antinori Santa Cristina Red sells for $ 12 in Toronto while the exact same bottle will cost you $ 17, or an extra $ 60 a case, here in British Columbia.
What does Italian wine have to do with B. C. wineries wanting to sell wine via the Internet to Canadians in Alberta or Ontario or Nova Scotia? Well, everything.
Each province makes a lot of money taxing and controlling the movement of alcohol, and as you can see by wine prices in B. C., we are particularly addicted to the alcohol revenue. They are not called monopolies for nothing. If the provinces waive their right to ban interprovincial wine sales to allow domestic producers to start selling wine across the country ( not that there is anything wrong with that), how will they justify not allowing Canadian wine lovers to acquire any imported wine, such as the well- priced Antinori Cristina in Ontario, and having it shipped to their residence for personal use?
If you are wondering why the liquor monopolies are publicly saying nothing, this could be the reason.
They don’t really care about the handful of cases that will be shipped into their provinces by Canadian wineries but they are terrified that they may have to compete with each other if provincial boundaries disappear and wine sales go the same route as books and computers and just about anything else you can buy online in this country.
There are dozens of private retail stores that would outretail them in about 10 minutes if Bill C- 311 passes and subsequent international trade agreements require Canada to treat foreign wine producers the same as domestic producers — not that there is anything wrong with that.
I can’t wait for it to pass. If you want complete freedom of choice in Canada, let your MP know you feel the same way. In the meantime here are six picks to keep you interested until you can order them from your retailer of choice anywhere in the country and have them shipped direct to your home.
The Cono Sur Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2011, from the cool San Antonio Valley, is simply a terrific white made with organic grapes. The attack is juicy and vibrant with pungent, smoky jalapeno and passion fruit flavours. It has excellent concentration for the price; perfect for light seafood dishes.
Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Reserve de Vaudon 2010 is a delicious example of Chablis made with bio- dynamically grown fruit. This elegant Chardonnay with a touch of seashore and chalk on the nose is bright with fresh acidity and ripe apple fruit, and just enough complexity to draw you back to the next glass. Well done.
You will have fun sipping Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache Barossa 2009 with its red fruit and bits of plums, black licorice and savoury notes. The attack is similarly fresh with bits of pomegranate, currants and tannins. Lamb chops, pork ribs and or sausages will all work here.
It’s always better to be elegant if you are a wine; it is especially true for Napa wines often rich in fruit and alcohol but not much else. Lola Kay Red 2009, named after the grandmothers of second generation Napa vintner Peter Rubissow, is a vineyard selection that displays a modicum of elegance with peppery, rich California fruit emanating from its unusual mix of mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. We applaud the price and the effort to get this into the Canadian market at an affordable level.
The Le Volte 2009 is classic super Tuscan with savoury black olive, black cherry aromas flecked with meaty, floral notes. The palate is suave and supple, but with light tannins. More black fruit and earthy cassis and peppery, black olive, orange peel, dried herb flavours mark the palate and finish. Balanced but with intensity. Try it with your favourite grilled meat or chicken dish.
Not many zinfandels listed in B. C. are worth drinking these days but the Clos du Val Zinfandel 2009 certainly is. Its peppery, smoky black cherry, licorice- root nose is attractive as is its fresh somewhat elegant palate awash in black berry, black olive, leather flavours. A restrained but elegant style that will work with food.