The opinions expressed in NGV Uncorked regarding the Niagara and Ontario wine industry are those of the author. Niagara winery & wine selections in NGV Uncorked reflect personal preferences and are based on recent winery visits and tasting sessions, not reviews by wine critics / writers or industry wine awards.

 

Vol. I - 6   /   September 2009

Big Brother Not Watching or Helping Much

Ontario wine industry needs more government support

Seeing the impact of a weak economy on Regional Niagara and the struggles of its 50+ small estate wineries makes one thing Riedel crystal clear - the wine industry needs more government support. Lots more. And while consumers can do their part, both the federal and (especially) the Ontario government and its LCBO arm could be doing so much more to encourage, advise and support grape growers and wineries alike.

Presently, a number of issues fester - the grape content of "cellared in Canada wines", available shelf space for Ontario wines in LCBO stores, the possibility of VQA-only wine shoppes / boutiques, the VQA certification process itself, "grandfathered" wine-shop sales privileges, the LCBO-VQA wine sales subsidy, bailouts / crop insurance for Ontario grape growers, and limited media promotion for Ontario wine tourism.

Wouldn't government intervention / legislation on all or some of the following things effectively prop up the Ontario wine industry ? Here in Niagara, the wine industry (growers, wineries, tourism, sales outlets) may well be among the Region's largest employers.

Increasing the Ontario grape content in "cellared in Canada" wines to (at least) 50%. Re-instating the LCBO-VQA wine per-bottle subsidy. Devoting more LCBO shelf space to Ontario VQA wines. Franchising "VQA-only" wines shoppes in densely populated areas. Reduce the cost and beauracracy of VQA accreditation. Phase out "grandfathered" wine sales licences for "privileged" wineries. Offer better crop protection to Ontario grape growers. Aggressively promote Ontario wine tourism in the media.

Accordingly, if calling for more government support for the Ontario wine industry, wine drinkers must also take matters into their own hands - literally and figuratively. Ontario wine drinkers must recognize and accept the fact that many Ontario VQA wines are superior to many popular imported wines. "Cellared in Canada" wines (in reality, predominantly imported wines) are not. Medals won by Ontario VQA wines at competitions around the world validate their quality. And, most are competitively priced with similar-quality imported wines. Too often, wine drinkers compare apples to oranges when it comes to pricing.

Another unfortunate reality is that, for the current vintage, 500 or more of Ontario's best VQA wines are available only at the wineries themselves, not at the LCBO or LCBO Vintages. That is one of a few key hurdles that must be overcome in the effective marketing of Ontario VQA wines.

 

NGV Uncorked (editorials) - Archives



9. Steps in the Right Direction ?
8. Initial Pop Will Fizzle Out
7. What Are They Drinking ... er, Thinking ?
6. Big Brother Not Watching or Helping Much
5. Bottle Shock - Niagara Style
4. LCBO - VQA Rebate Discontinued
3. Best ... or Best in Show ?
2. Cellared in Canada Wines
1. Riesling - Niagara's Signature Wine

Niagara Grapevine pours only VQA Ontario wines