mhicken January 6th, 2010
Today’s Globe and Mail wine column by Beppi Crosariol highlights good value wines that retail for under $20. Beppi provides an interesting range of picks for consumers who want to find a reasonably priced “house wine”. However, the picks highlight the ridiculous price of wines in British Columbia. For the wines that are available in both Ontario and BC, here’s the price comparison:
Louis Latour Chardonnay: $15.95 in ON; $19.99 in BC
Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Cab Sauv: $19.99 in both provinces
Santa Rita Medalla Real Cab Sauv: $19.99 in both provinces
Remole Toscana: $12.95 in ON; $13.99 in BC
Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone: $14.95 in ON; $17.99 in BC
Les Fumes Blanches Sauv Blanc: $11.95 in ON; $13.99 in BC
MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir: $19.95 in ON; $24.99 in BC
J & F Lurton Pinot Gris: $10.95 in ON; $13.99 in BC
Bollini Pinot Grigio: $16.95 in ON; $18.99 in BC
Pierre Sparr Gewurtraminer: $16.50 in ON; $21.99 in BC
Ouch … only two wines are the same price and many of the wines are significantly more expensive in BC. And this is a comparison between two liquor monopolies … not a comparison between the U.S. and Canada where the differences would be even greater. Something is seriously wrong with the LDB pricing structure when you have differences this large between MONOPOLIES. Doesn’t a government monopoly have an obligation to act reasonably when its the only game in town?
Tags: bc, LCBO, LDB, liquor stores, ontario, prices, taxes, wine