Brett happens

Reflecting the post-holidays zeitgeist, the latest issue of Vintages (January 8th release) is slimmer than usual and focuses on low-end wines and spirits, ten of which are also sold at the SAQ.

SAQ / LCBO

$10.05 / $9.95 Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, Kim Crawford (375 ml)
$13.35 / $10.95 Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2008, Ripasso, Tommasi (375 ml)
$14.00 / $14.95 Minervois 2008, Cuvée Mathilde, Château de Gourgazaud
$14.65 / $12.95 Touraine 2009, Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine Bellevue
$15.10 / $14.95 Costières de Nîmes 2009, Réserve Blanc, Château de Nages
$17.90 / $14.95 Viognier 2009, North Coast, Cline Cellars
$19.30 / $16.95 Côtes du Rhône 2009, Nature, Domaine Perrin
$19.75 / $17.95 Ménage à Trois red 2009, California, Folie à Deux
$21.15 / $19.95 Merlot 2007, Mendocino County, Bonterra
$25.90 / $24.95 Ron Abuelo Añejo Reserva Especial

SAQ 1, LCBO 9. What’s more, the SAQ is often 10% and even 20% more expensive. The results appear to confirm the widely held belief that inexpensive wines are generally cheaper in Ontario.

What gives? Probably a combination of factors. The monopolies’ different markups on low-end bottles. Also, all these products are new arrivals at the LCBO but have been listed by the SAQ for a while, meaning the Ontario monopoly may have benefited from the recent, more favourable exchange rate. In addition, the prices include sales taxes, which rose by more than 1% in Quebec on January 1.