On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:38:50 -0700, Dave Smith
wrote:
>Alan S wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I wasn't trying to be nasty, I just didn't remember anything
>> remarkable and I didn't purchase any. Obviously I chose the
>> wrong vineyards.
>>
>> I'm no connoisseur - but I do tend to consume about a half
>> bottle a day. Purely for medicinal purposes of course:-)
>>
>> That government-controlled liquor sales system in Montreal
>> is weird. Is it the same in Ontario?
>
>Quebec'c SAQ stores are similar to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario
>(LCBO), but wines tend to be $2-3 per bottle more. Wineries have to pay
>the LCBO to list their product, and it is not cheap. When it comes to some
>of the higher quality wines which are made in smaller volumes, it is simply
>not worth it to them to pay for that listing. That is why most of the
>better wines are available only at their winery stores.
>
>If you think it is bad now you should have been here about 40 years ago
>when bottles were not displayed. LCBO stores had counters with boards
>listing the available products and code cumbers. Customers had to fill out
>slips with their name, address and signature and write down the product
>codes and the clerks would get the bottles from the warehouse in the back.
>It was like buying liquor from Consumers Distributing.
>
>FWIW, the LCBO is a crown corporation that has been the topic of
>government debate. There has been talk of privatizing the operation. It
>claimed to be the world's single biggest buyer of wines and liquors. Most
>of us are pretty happy with the serve it provides. If they don't have it in
>local stores they will order it from the warehouse and get it to you you
>within a week if is listed and in stock. That includes vintage wines. There
>are two convenience stores in my area that managed to get special licences
>to sell beer, wine and liquor. That works for those who want only the most
>popular brands but there is no variety for those with discerning tastes. It
>is like the MacDonalds of alcohol.
>
Thanks Dave
I was puzzled by it in Montreal. As you note, there were two
basic outlets - the official SAQ which all seemed to have
exactly the same range with, oddly, very little from Quebec
or Ontario, and hole-in-the-wall convenience stores all run
by gentlemen with a sub-continental appearance with an even
more limited range which one suspected might have been
bottled out the back of the shop.
I bought one bottle from the convenience store near the
Quality Inn - and promptly repaired to the SAQ after my
first taste. It actually seemed to be easier to find a cheap
Aussie wine there than Canadian - but I've forgotten what
label I bought. It was OK though; almost anything would have
been after the convenience store vinegar.
I do remember having a chat about the high prices at the
cellar door winery outlets in Ontario; they justified it by
the government system.
Cheers, Alan, Australia
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
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