BC Wine Institute Applauds Expanded BC VQA Wine Retail Opportunities and Resulting Industry Provincial Economic Impact
March 7, 2013 (Kelowna, BC)
The BC Wine Institute is encouraged by BC Government’s recent announcement of plans to allow the sale of BC VQA Wine from designated BC grocery store shelves by Christmas 2014.
“BC is home to the original 100-mile diet with BC consumers having long supported ‘buy-local’ and specifically the BC VQA Wine industry. Premier Clark and Government’s announcement of having BC VQA Wine available in grocery store aisles will increase exposure for people to enjoy or discover our world class 100% BC Wine.” said Miles Prodan, President & CEO, BC Wine Institute.
The BC Government has outlined a unique, two-part model for liquor sales in grocery stores that will ensure convenience and choice for consumers, promote BC products and create jobs. One model will accommodate existing BC VQA Wine Store licences, as well as a limited number of new licences, to allow BC VQA Wine to be sold off designated shelves within the stores, and purchased at designated check-out tills.
“The success to date of the BCWI’s BC VQA Wine Store licences, representing 2% of liquor retail outlets in the Province, but selling over 8% of all BC VQA Wine in the Province, clearly demonstrates strong consumer support for the BC Wine Industry. Expanding the model to aisles in grocery stores will help drive forward a $2 billion per year industry, create jobs and stimulate the economy” said Prodan.
BC VQA Wines
Put very simply, the BC VQA designation on the Wines of British Columbia is a guarantee that you’re purchasing a wine that is 100% from British Columbia. BC VQA stands for “British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance” and is an appellation of origin system, similar to the AOC and DOC systems utilized in France and Italy, respectively. The BC VQA system guarantees origin and ensures that qualifying wines meet certain minimum quality requirements.
BC Wine and Grape Industry Facts
- The BC Wine Industry’s $2.0 billion economic impact is a significant driver to the BC economy. For every bottle of wine produced in the Province, there is $42 of economic impact generated.
- BC Wine Economy has 235 grape wineries and over 864 vineyards on more than 9,800 acres of land.
- More than 10,000 people have jobs in BC as a result of the wine and grape industry.
- The BC Wine Industry generates $476 million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact.
About British Columbia Wine Institute
Since 1990, the BCWI has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing quality wine tourism experiences.
Representing 137 member wineries throughout the province, the BCWI supports and markets the Wines of British Columbia (BC VQA), which gives consumers assurance they are buying a wine that is made from 100% BC grapes. The BCWI also markets the Wine Regions of British Columbia; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of its members. Learn more at www.winebc.com.
