PCs plan changes to liquor retail within 100 days

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/09/2019 (1826 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While the attention of most voters has turned to the already tumultuous federal election campaign, the results of the recent provincial election merit attention from Manitobans who enjoy wine, beer and spirits.

On Sept. 18, Premier Brian Pallister outlined 100 actions his government wants to take in the first 100 days in office, and three of the changes will affect liquor purchases in Winnipeg and beyond.

First up is the proposed lifting of restrictions on Sunday and holiday shopping. Currently, only beer vendors and Ellement Wine & Spirits sell products later than 6 p.m. on Sundays and some holidays (Ellement can stay open later because of its location at The Forks Market).

Lifting the shopping restrictions currently in place on Sundays and holidays would surely result in more private wine stores staying open later, and could also result in Liquor Marts offering longer hours on those days.

Second, among the 100 actions in 100 days is the pledge made by the provincial government to eliminate the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MLL) markups on products sold on-premise at local craft distilleries, breweries and cideries. This means a visit to a local brewery or distillery taproom to purchase products made on-site will see far more revenue going directly to the producer, rather than the 10 to 49 per cent markup on craft beer (the amount varies based on production volume) and the 95 per cent markup on cider or spirits imposed by MLL.

But don’t expect prices to fall dramatically based on the elimination of the markups. Since any product listed by Liquor Marts must be sold for the same price anywhere in the province, prices would mostly stay the same, but buying at the brewery/distillery/cidery would see more of your money going directly back to the producers.

Finally, there’s the complicated pledge of changing legislation so restaurants can deliver liquor directly to customers. Currently, Manitoba Liquor Marts offers delivery via its website, as do some of the private wine stores, while others, including some beer vendors, have partnered with delivery services such as Skip the Dishes.

What makes the issue complicated is the question of what pricing would look like on liquor coming directly from a restaurant. Say a bottle of wine retails for $15 at Liquor Marts, and is on the wine list of a restaurant for $35. While a restaurant can currently mark up a wine as much as they want when someone is dining on-site, what happens when they are essentially acting as a wine retailer for someone looking for delivery of a product to their home? If you order food and a bottle of wine for delivery from a restaurant, how much can (or must) the restaurant charge you for the bottle of wine?

This matter might be sorted out by the introduction of wholesale pricing for restaurants, a structure that currently doesn’t exist in the province — but which could make things even more complicated. Stay tuned…

Beer briefs

Here are a few local beer-related tidbits to wet your proverbial whistle…

● On Sunday, Sept. 22, Barn Hammer Brewing Co. (595 Wall St.) is hosting an event in conjunction with Bike Winnipeg from 12:30-2:30 p.m. For $25, you get an afternoon learning about how to repair bikes while enjoying a pint of Barn Hammer beer, as well as a tour of the brewery. For tickets, visit eventbrite.ca.

● It’s pretty much last call for thirsty Winnipeggers looking for tickets to the Oktoberfest Beer Tasting Festival, presented by Fort Garry Brewing Co. and taking place at Club Regent Event Centre (1425 Regent Ave. W.) on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $39.99 plus taxes and fees for the matinee event and $49.99 for the evening event, and are available at Ticketmaster.

● Half Pints Brewing Co. kicks off a new food-pairing series called Full Plates, Half Pints on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with the local catering crew at Loaf & Honey. The brewery, located at 550 Roseberry St., is planning to host the event on the first Tuesday of every month, and will pair brews with a wide range of dishes. Tickets for the debut are $65 plus fees at eventbrite.ca.

● Trans Canada Brewing Co. celebrates its second anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 5, in its 1290 Kenaston Blvd. brewery and taproom. The free festivities get underway at 3 p.m. and will feature indoor and outdoor live music, including performances from Greg Arcade and Catie St. Germain. The brewery will be pouring 20 beers that will be exclusive to the anniversary celebration, along with some special releases in its retail store.

uncorked@mts.net

Twitter: @bensigurdson

 

Wines of the week

 

The Winery of Good Hope 2017 Mountainside Syrah (Stellenbosch, South Africa — around $18, private wine stores)

Bright ruby red in colour, this South African Syrah brings austere aromas of black cherry, smoke, leather, raspberry and spice. It’s a medium-plus bodied, juicy red that brings juicy cherry and raspberry flavours on the palate with black tea, white pepper and very subtle smoky notes, a splash of acidity and some light tannins on the finish. it’s another example of a well-priced South African wine that is helping reshape what we see on our store shelves. Purchased at Ellement Wine & Spirits. ★★★1/2 out of five

19 Crimes 2017 Shiraz Durif (Victoria, Australia — $18.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Deep purple in colour, a mashup of red and black fruit — cherry, raspberry, blackberry — and a lovely violet note come through aromatically. On the full-bodied palate the black cherry, blackberry, plum and raspberry notes are joined by herbal and anise notes before light tannins and a long, slightly warm finish. The oak here is decently restrained, although the 14 per cent alcohol is a touch aggressive; let it sit in a glass for half an hour to mellow out, or try with spicier, heavier grilled fare. ★★★1/2 out of five

Zuccardi 2016 “Q” Malbec (Valle de Uco/Mendoza, Argentina — $21.49, Liquor Marts and beyond)

This Argentine red is inky black in colour, and on the nose delivers complex plum, blackberry, violet spice, anise and herbal notes. It’s dense and full-bodied with an almost-chewy texture and soft tannins and light acidity that come with the deep blackberry and blueberry flavours and a secondary black licorice and peppery component. Drink now or hold for three to five years. It’s regularly $23.99, making it a particularly good buy until the end of the month, when the current sale price expires. ★★★★1/2 out of five

100 day action plan