Ontario wine sales increased after US products
The retailer stated that the sales of Ontario Wine increased by more than 60 percent as LCBOs pulled out American products from their shelves earlier this year, indicating a change in buying habits among consumers in the province.
A spokesman from LCBO said in a statement, “Operians are committed to purchasing local and Canadian products rapidly.”
“VQA wine (made up of 100% Ontario-big grapes) has seen an increase in sales of more than 60%, with VQA raids and whites have seen an increase of 71% and 67% respectively, and VQA sparkling wine is growing by +28%.”
From the beginning of March to the beginning of June, the total liquor sales declined by 13 percent, LCBO said.
In response to the US tariff, the Ontario government directed the LCBOs in March to implement the ban on all American beverage liquor sales and related imports.
Spirits, wine, cider, beer, ready-to-drink coolers/cocktails and non-drug beverages produced in the US were immediately drawn from the shelves of LCBO retail stores and convenience outlets.
The move has been a “opportunity” for local liquor manufacturers, according to the Dell Rollo, former president and current board member of Wine Grover Ontario. Rollo said Canadians have never become more emotional about supporting local people and buying Canadians.
“We are capitalizing on it as an industry and are sure that the shelves are full, and they are tasting the wine and they are loved them,” the rollo said.
Restaurant, winery is also watching boosts
The change towards drowning Ontario wine has also promoted local restaurants and winery.
According to retail manager Liam Mastersmith, the sales have increased by about 25 percent since the start of trade war in Carp.
Mastersmith’s family owns the vine turn that states that it is home to the northern Pinot Noor and Shardonay grape in the province. The company sells most of its wine in the vineyard and through restaurants, and it is also available in select LCBO stores.
“The Otawa Valley has always been great in supporting the local anyway, and so what we have seen is that more people are coming outside the Ottawa valley and trying our wine,” the Mastersmith said.
Customer William Hordic Growed up near the famous Niagra wine area of Ontario and says that supporting local producers has always been important, but now he is paying even more attention.
He said, “I am more conscious of it now and of course to ensure that I am supporting the local Canadian and Ontario Winery, looking more closely on it.”
Ontario wine also has legs in local restaurants. Food and Wine owner Stephen Bacta, owner of Becta Dining and Wine, Gazelig and Ottawa, attracted a lot of attention to announcing the removal of all American wines from their menu earlier this year.
Since then, he said that the sale of Ontario wine in his restaurant has jumped about 30 percent. Beckta said that he wants the trade war to end, but customers have been very receptive to try new Canadian and Ontario wine.
He said, “What we have seen is more confident about supporting our own industries, and it is a wonderful by -product that will be here, regardless of the business war really end,” he said.
The LCBO stated that apart from VQA wine, other ontario-made liquor categories such as international-gentle mixes are experiencing slight growth, while Canadian wine has experienced a strong growth in response to demand, about 18 percent.
