[Growwine] Ontario's drinking culture: A big part of the battle?

[Richard Best]

Paul Bulas wrote:
> Lately I've been thinking that some of the obstacles to getting a true 
> artisanal wine culture started across Ontario might stem from the 
> overall views toward alcohol - in addition to the regulatory obstacles 
> we discussed last week (e.g. 5-acre minimum, etc.).  We now have grape 
> varieties that work across much of Central Ontario - so the 
> viticultural difficulties are being fast addressed.  But what about 
> the cultural aspects in general?  Would an overall liberalization of 
> views about public alcohol consumption help a fledgling artisanal wine 
> industry?
I had an interesting experience last night. We went to an Italian style 
restaurant and ended up buying a wine from NOTL. There were a few 
Ontario wines on the list, but this one was the cheapest at $32 
(remember that tax is added on to this). It was a cab-merlot, typical of 
Niagara Cab: green, weedy, unripe. Not bad but something your average 
cab buyer would never touch again -- nor any other Ontario cab I bet.

Job one is to make sure the grapes are suitable to the land. Job two is 
to educate the public that there's more to life than Cabernet. I also 
think that everyone would benefit from less abusive markups in 
restaurants. $32 plus tax for a mediocre $12 wine is not helping to 
promote wine.

As for encouraging more drinking ...  isn't that the LCBO's job?

Regards,
Richard Best - The Frugal Oenophile

"Use it up; wear it out; make it last"
And please don't leave your vehicle idling. 

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