Good article on wine from The Gazette.
Definition of a racket:
"There are two parallel sales streams for wine and alcohol in Quebec. One is for the wines you find on the shelves of the SAQ and supermarkets, and the other wines are referred to as private import. Every wine sold in Quebec is represented by one of many promotional agencies that act as intermediaries between wineries and the SAQ. These agencies propose wines to the SAQ, and if accepted, the agency’s job is simply to promote the wine."
However, more often than not, the SAQ decides not to accept the wine. This can be for any number of reasons. The SAQ may be looking for wines from a particular country, in a particular price point or even a specific grape variety. After all, there is limited shelf space available. Another reason is that many highly sought-after producers can’t supply enough quantity to make it worth the SAQ’s effort to list and distribute them. The SAQ also wants nothing to do with no-sulphite wines, as it doesn’t feel they are “stable.”
Yes. The government sets the demand for wine.
And by the way, no-sulphites in wine is healthier and tastes better. Heaven forbid we let the market decide if they like it or not.
"...And in many ways this is true. The service you get from many of these agencies is something you can’t find at the SAQ. This is not to denigrate the many passionate and knowledgeable people who are working in the SAQ stores. But the people at these agencies know not just their wines intimately, but the stories behind the wines as well. This is on a level that is beyond what one can reasonably expect from a person working within the SAQ system.
Now, private import is not for everybody. If you are content with the selection of wines at the SAQ — and more and more wines that were once only available on private import are now being offered at the SAQ — then continue buying them there. But if you are into more artisanal wines, low-sulphite wines or wines from regions that are not well represented at the SAQ (Alsace, Jura and Burgundy are a few examples), then I suggest you talk to one of these agencies."
No kidding.
Definition of a racket:
"There are two parallel sales streams for wine and alcohol in Quebec. One is for the wines you find on the shelves of the SAQ and supermarkets, and the other wines are referred to as private import. Every wine sold in Quebec is represented by one of many promotional agencies that act as intermediaries between wineries and the SAQ. These agencies propose wines to the SAQ, and if accepted, the agency’s job is simply to promote the wine."
However, more often than not, the SAQ decides not to accept the wine. This can be for any number of reasons. The SAQ may be looking for wines from a particular country, in a particular price point or even a specific grape variety. After all, there is limited shelf space available. Another reason is that many highly sought-after producers can’t supply enough quantity to make it worth the SAQ’s effort to list and distribute them. The SAQ also wants nothing to do with no-sulphite wines, as it doesn’t feel they are “stable.”
Yes. The government sets the demand for wine.
And by the way, no-sulphites in wine is healthier and tastes better. Heaven forbid we let the market decide if they like it or not.
"...And in many ways this is true. The service you get from many of these agencies is something you can’t find at the SAQ. This is not to denigrate the many passionate and knowledgeable people who are working in the SAQ stores. But the people at these agencies know not just their wines intimately, but the stories behind the wines as well. This is on a level that is beyond what one can reasonably expect from a person working within the SAQ system.
Now, private import is not for everybody. If you are content with the selection of wines at the SAQ — and more and more wines that were once only available on private import are now being offered at the SAQ — then continue buying them there. But if you are into more artisanal wines, low-sulphite wines or wines from regions that are not well represented at the SAQ (Alsace, Jura and Burgundy are a few examples), then I suggest you talk to one of these agencies."
No kidding.
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