Quebec wants to make local wines available at grocery stores

Local wine could soon be available on grocery store shelves acrossthe province after the Couillard government tabled a bill Thursday authorizing its sale.

Finance Minister CarlosLeitaotabled a bill onThursdaythat would authorize thesale of local winesalong with ciders and ice wines -outside ofSAQs.

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The move, which was promised by Quebec Premier PhilippeCouillardfollowing his 2014 election victory,is an attempt to give producers in the province greater access to the local market.

'We can increase our visibility'

At the moment, Quebec wine producers can only sell bottles at wineries andSAQs.

Local producers, not surprisingly, welcomed the proposed change.

LonCourville, who runs a vineyard in LacBrome, said the SAQ can be a "complex and not always profitable" networkto navigate.

With grocery stores, he said, "we can increase our visibility."

Microbeweriesalso stand to benefit

The billis also intended to help localmicrobreweries, as well, by allowing themto sell bottles ofbeer to go.

FrdrickTremblay, head of Quebec's association ofmicrobreweries, said the change would provide a big boost, particularly during the tourist season.

Not everyone is happy with the proposed bill, however.

Quebec distillers won't be allowed to sell directly to customers, because theyuse products from outside the province to produce vodka, gin and whisky.

NicolasDuvernois, head of PUR Vodka, said local distillers should have been consulted.