HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:
SPECIAL BCWINECHAT: #FREEMYGRAPES
Update: The 4 hour-long coast to coast #FreeMyGrapes chat did indeed trend on twitter in the following locations:
HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:
INTERPROVINCIAL WINE SHIPMENTS: BILL C-311 May 30, 2012
Things are going so fast in the last couple days since Bill C-311 was stalled on the floor of the House of Commons on Tuesday. Tonight we thought we would be talking about the BC Government’s response to passing 311 but instead we are going to discuss where the bill stands now and allow all of you to send a message–loud and clear–to Ottawa. #freemygrapes and #BCWineChat are the hashtags folks. Use them.
Forwarded Email from NDP MP Alex Atamanenko. His speech yesterday in the House of Commons RE: Bill C-311
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HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:
CORKAGE (BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE OF WINE) TO BC RESTAURANTS
In 2003 Alberta relaxed its liquor laws to allow for corkage–the ability for patrons to bring their own bottle of wine to participating restaurants, pay a pre-set corkage fee and open at their meal. The following conditions apply (according to Alberta Gaming Liquor Control)
When requested, all licensees are obligated to recork partially consumed bottles to be taken home by the customer. (Liquor Licensee Handbook 5.3.15 b).
A Wine Spectator survey in early 2011 showed that 25 of the 50 states in the US allowed for corkage–including our neighboring West Coast states of Washington, Oregon and California.
Why does British Columbia not allow for Corkage (or Bring Your Own Bottle of Wine) at BC restaurants yet? What are the concerns from restaurants? How have these concerns been addressed in other jurisdictions? Would allowing corkage help the wine culture in BC?
Join the chat on Wednesday for a certain fast-paced discussion.
HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:
BC WINE AND FARMERS MARKETS May 9, 2012
Most people understand that wine comes from grapes or fruits. Everyone understands that grapes are a crop–grown in the ground. Why is it that 100% BC grown wines cannot be tasted at BC Farmer’s Markets–let alone sold at them? There are other jurisdictions that allow wine to be sold at local Farmer’s Markets such as Oregon so it can be done, but what laws are preventing our local producers of BC wines from doing the same?
Should there be restrictions on pouring samples? Should there be restrictions on which wines would be allowed into a local farmer’s market or should that be left up to the organizers of the individual farmer’s markets to decide? is there even a desire for wineries to present their wines at Farmer’s markets?
It is the season where local produce is becoming available and that means it’s also a great time to discuss why this particular local agricultural product–WINE–is left not allowed into BC’s farmer’s markets.
HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:
CELLARED IN CANADA April 11, 2012
Come one! Come all! Time to talk Copper Moon, Jackson Triggs Proprietor’s Selection, Linden Bay, Wild Horse Canyon, Sawmill Creek, Painted Turtle, Naked Grape, Domaine D’Or, Schloss Laderheim and Similkameen Superior–to name a few.
Wines under the “Cellared in Canada” section of BC liquor stores are available at a lower price than other BC VQA wines. There is a place for wines under $10. Other country’s lower priced exports are generally made from grapes grown in the export country, but in Canada there is not a lot of extra acreage available for growing grapes to satisfy this price category. Therefore, commercial wineries are allowed to bring in grapes, juice or wine from outside of Canada, bottle it here and label it “Cellared in Canada”.
Specifically, the labels now generally read “Bottled in BC from Imported and Domestic Wines”. In British Columbia this means that these wines MAY be produced from 100% foreign content. In Ontario it means that these wines are produced with NO MORE THAN 60% foreign content (slated to change in 2014 to match BC’s rule so that it does not need to contain any Canadian wine).
How is it allowed that these wines can state on their back labels “Cellared in Canada from Imported AND Domestic Wines” when in BC they do not need any amount of BC content whatsoever? Do these wines fill a niche in Canada? Producers of Cellared in Canada wines such as VINCOR, Peller Estates and Mission Hill maintain that this category of wines are responsible for a considerable number of jobs in the Canadian wine industry and that they allow Canadian wineries to compete in a category that VQA wines cannot satisfy. Do these wines get any unfair advantages on wine lists and retail shelves that are not afforded to wines made from BC grown grapes? Does the average consumer still believe that these wines are made from BC grapes? Should terms such as “Similkameen” be allowed on a product that contains no grapes from BC?
We’re looking for comments from all sectors on this #BCWineChat–BC wineries, retailers, restaurants and, of course, most importantly consumers.
HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:
WHAT WILL THE BC WINE INDUSTRY LOOK LIKE IN 2017?
Here’s a quick look back at the BC wine industry in the past few years: (most data courtesy the BC Wine Institute–thank you!)
Where will we be in 5 years? Will we see our industry contract, gradually expand or boom? Will British Columbians still be paying the prices they are for BC wines or will they look elsewhere for better value? Will there be more or less wine shops in BC? This is one hour of imagination–where will our industry be 5 years from now?
HERE IS HOW THE CHAT WENT:
BCLDB AND LICENSING REGULATIONS FOR BC WINERIES January 11, 2012
Many policies and regulations govern those who hold winery licenses in BC. The Terms and Conditions for Winery Licenses in BC show some of these, but there are also interpretations of what are stated here as policies.
In addition there is the Liquor Distribution Act which gives the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) the sole right to purchase beverage alcohol both within BC and from outside the province, in accordance with the federal Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.
HERE IS HOW THE CHAT WENT:
BCLDB REGULATIONS FOR RETAILERS AND RESTAURANTS January 4, 2012
With a focus on BC wines (not rules governing imports), we will look at issues surrounding the selling of BC wines in retail shops and restaurants and how the BC Liquor Control Branch (LDB) is involved.
HERE IS HOW THE CHAT WENT:
BC Wine Chat: BC Wine Resolutions
Tell us what your BC Wine Resolution for 2012 is:
If you enjoy it. If you grow it. If you make it. If you sell it. This is the chat for you.
HERE IS HOW THE CHAT WENT:
INTERPROVINCIAL WINE SHIPMENTS IN CANADA December 21, 2011
POST CHAT UPDATE:
Here is a SAMPLE LETTER you can send to your MP to show support for Federal Bill C-311, and here is the address of your Member of Parliament in Ottawa. This bill was introduced by MP Dan Albas of Okanagan-Coquihalla (@danalbas) Now is the time to show the Federal government that it is important that Canadians have better access to Candian-made wines!
Background information on this topic can be found throughout Mark Hicken’s site winelaw.ca. There has been a tremendous amount of activity on this topic in Ottawa lately with the introduction of Bill C-311. An overview of the 1928 law that governs interprovincial wine shipments in Canada can be read here.
Additional information is found on the www.freemygrapes.ca. This site includes great links and information and tells you how you can support amending our archaic liquor laws.
BCWineChat 