Some Ontario grocers now selling wine

Some 70 grocery stores across Ontario can sell wine now.

The province granted approval to aselect group ofstores earlier this fall, but Friday marks the first day the grocers can stock their shelves with vino. Previously, wine was only sold at LCBOor Wine Rack stores, farmers' markets or vineyards.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the changes will helpOntario winemakers, grocers and customers.

"Being able to pick up wine alongside food offers more convenience for shoppers," Sousa said in a news release.

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The retailers approved to sell wine represent a mix of large and independentgrocers, including Farm Boy, Highland Farms, Loblaws, Metro andSobeys, as well as:

• Canex Canadian Forces Exchange System
• Coppa's Fresh Market
• Fresh Market Foods
• Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
• Starsky's Fine Foods Hamilton Inc.
• Uxbridge Foods Inc.
• Walmart Canada Corp.
• Yummy Market Inc.

It's unclear at this time whichToronto stores will be stocking wine.

The government says the winning grocers were selected inacompetitive bidding process held by the Liquor ControlBoard ofOntario.

Beer and cider will eventually be sold in up to 450 grocerystores in Ontario under a plan to liberalize alcohol sales and winewill be available in up to 300 of those stores.

Beer was introduced in some grocery stores lastDecember, and thegovernment says those grocers received more than 532,000 cases ofbeer from the LCBO, amounting to net sales of about $24 million.