SAQ boosts wine prices across Quebec

Are you a wine drinker? You may want to double check theprice tag.

Quebec's government-runliquor board boosted the selling priceof 200 different bottles on its shelves.

The price of a $15 bottle of wine rose by an average of 65 cents as of Wednesday at SAQ outlets across the province.

• Quebec micro-distilleries face more hurdles to sell locally than abroad
• SAQ defends monopoly on liquor sales in face of Robillard report

However, the SAQ also lowered the prices of about 20 of its 1,200 products.

The spikecomes in part due to a sluggishCanadian dollar, the SAQ said.

A spokesperson said 20 per centof imports are paid for inEuros or the American dollar so costs rise and fall based on the value of the loonie.

The SAQ is allowed to raise or lowerthe prices of certain wines if the Canadian dollar fluctuates by three per cent butsuppliers do have the choice to absorb the costs.