October 2009 Newsletter

Small Canadian Wine Makers are crying "Sour Grapes"

Recently, there has been much discussion in the Canadian wine industry about "Cellared in Canada Wines". Canada has a growing wine industry in both B.C. and Ontario, however, it seems that some wines we are purchasing off the shelves in liquor stores in the Canadian Wine section aren't Canadian at all!

Jancis Robinson, renowned international Wine writer, was recently interviewed on CBC Radio. She calls the "Cellared in Canada" labels "very misleading" and "a mealy mouthed term for what should be called a blend of imported wines". She goes on to say it "gives a superficial Canadianess to wines and it's not good for the international image." "The worst thing is it tarnishes all proper Canadian wines. Why should the rest of the world take Canadian wines seriously?"

John Peller, of Andrew Peller Wines, one of Canada's largest producers disagrees. 30 - 40% of Peller Wines fall under the cellared in Canada label and he maintains most people are not concerned where wine comes from but that it is of good quality at a good price. These wines are "blended to a certain taste profile" and contain, by law a minimum of 30% Ontario grapes. The remaining 70% are sourced from "quality" vineyards in Chile, Argentina, France or Italy. Wines "cellared" in B.C. need 0% B.C. juice in the bottle! and can therefore, contain 100 % foreign grapes from various origins.

Wine labelling laws in Canada unfortunately do not require wineries to indicate the origin of the grapes like European wines do.

The Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) is Canada's symbol of quality wine. It is similar to other regulatory systems in place in such countries as France (AOC), Italy (DOC), and Germany (QmP), and ensures the consumer of high quality Canadian wine. The VQA symbol on a bottle of Canadian wine assures the consumer of quality production, content, varietal percentage, appellation, and vintage.

The VQA standard is government sanctioned and is regulated in Ontario by VQA Ontario and in British Columbia by the British Columbia Wine Institute (BCWI). Ontario and British Columbia are the only two regions in Canada that currently produce wines that meet the VQA standard.

Aligra Wine & Spirits is major supporter of fine quality Canadian wines offering one of the largest selections of B.C. wines available in Alberta .You will soon be seeing more and more fabulous wines from small wineries on our B.C. shelves very soon.

Also, we have moved all "Cellared in Canada" wines, from our Canadian section, to our "Origin Unknown" section so as to respect the 100% Canadian wines.

What do you think about all of this? Does it matter to you that you are drinking 100% Canadian wine? or is price point your driving factor?

Let us know.....email me at alison@aligrawineandspirits.com

using Cellared in Canada in the subject line.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN APRIL 2010?

The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival is widely regarded as the one of the best consumer wine shows on the continent and it will mark its 32nd year with a celebration of the wines of Argentina and New Zealand and a global focus on ros�.

The festival, which runs from April 19th to 25th 2010, will bring a record 197 participating wineries with 1700 wines from 14 countries to the new Vancouver Convention Centre and many top Vancouver restaurants and hotels for tastings, seminars, dinners and wine focused events.

Grant will be escorting a select group of wine enthusiasts from Edmonton, departing Wednesday morning, April 21st and returning Sunday, April 25th.

Package will include deluxe accommodations, transfers, tickets to the Opening Gala Dinner on the Wednesday night, and two tasting events - with a number of optional dinners etc. Details will be coming soon. Tickets for the events sell out quickly (by November!) so don't think too long on this one!