Ontario Allows Wine on Grocery Store Shelves

In addition, existing wine stores inside supermarkets – such as The Wine R‎ack and The Wine Shop – will be allowed to use regular grocery store checkouts.

During a media event at a Toronto grocery store, Wynne noted that the price of beer and wine in the province “is lower than in other jurisdictions across the country”.

“Given the significant economic impact of the grape and wine industry, it was important the government took the time it needed on this issue”.

Wine will be sold at 70 grocery locations in Ontario by the fall and as many as 300 such stores on a timeline as yet to be established.

On the wine sales, Clark recommends Ontario allocate further tranches of grocery store licenses at three year intervals to get up to the total of 150, saying that would allow producers to keep up with the increased production demand.

“The WGAO has worked diligently with Mr. Clark and his team to ensure the changes provide growth opportunities for all segments of the Ontario wine industry”.

Eventually, 150 Ontario stores will be able to carry wine.

“We are pleased that government has continued to build on the social responsibility successes in the grocery channel”.

Wynne also announced that cider can be sold in any grocery store that sells beer, and that the program allowing Vintners Quality Alliance wines to be sold at farmers’ markets will expand to include fruit wines and craft cider.

Spirits, however, will be restricted to the LCBO monopoly.

The boutique producers will be allowed to sell directly to bars and restaurants as well as directly to the public from their distilleries.

“Our government is taking action to stop climate change by helping our business sector create prosperity and jobs for today and tomorrow”, she said.