After months of dialogue with retail, trade, consumers and other interested parties, the BC Liquor Policy Review report was handed in by Parliamentary Secretary John Yap with 70 recommendations on modernizing provincial liquor laws. It looks as though the contents of the report are going to be released on a slow and steady basis since, as I write this, we only know what one of those recommendations entails.
Unless you have been living under a rock over the last week or so, youre well aware via an onslaught of media coverage that the government are looking to offer liquor sales in grocery stores, a huge step that is purportedly all about convenience.
What initially appears to be good news quickly deflates from where Im sitting, as there are a few aspects of the official announcement that I find concerning.
First off, it had been stated that three quarters of respondents, myself included, were in favour of this step. The thing is, everyone Ive talked to imagined this looking like the American model, with an aisle (or part of an aisle) dedicated to wine, beer and spirit offerings. This is the convenience many had in in mind. That concept is kyboshed with the announcement that alcohol will be kept separate from grocery products, most likely a store-within-a-store.
Figuring most grocery stores are fairly close, if not adjacent, to liquor or wine and beer stores, this move really just saves a few footsteps. There will still be a completely separate transaction and step when grabbing your wine for dinner.
On top of this, and this is the big one for many, Yap recommends we keep the current cap on total retail outlets in the province. This either means closing some BC Liquor Stores or, perish the thought, independent retail outlets to create space for those in grocery stores. Your favourite wine store just a couple blocks away? It might not be there any more after this shift. That doesnt sound more convenient to me.
Also, there are way more grocery stores than liquor outlets in the province, so how will it be designated which stores will get the opportunity to carry alcohol? Since BC has almost 2,400 grocery stores and about 1,100 liquor outlets (and not all of those will be closing,) odds are your local grocery store might not end up carrying liquor anyway.
For a major step that was supposed to be all about convenience, this really doesnt seem to be thoroughly planned. While were long overdue to steer the ship towards modernization, my feeling is so far were just re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Lets brighten things up a little. Heres a wine for your weekend.
If this traditional-method (made just like Champagne) sparkler doesnt cheer you up, itll be hard to find something that does. Fresh-out-of-the-oven sourdough aromatics give way to pink grapefruit, lime leaf and marmalade elements on the palate. A good wine to always have in the fridge, and at this price its great for any day of the week!
As always, if youre having trouble finding something or just want to say hi, find me via KurtisKolt.com or on Twitter @KurtisKolt.
Editor's note: Want to weigh in on the issue? Join #BCWineChat from 8-9pm on Wednesday, December 4.
