Dear Editor,
When you search “sour grapes” you’ll find it defined as: “Making a false pretence to form a rationalization (expression originated in The Fox and the Grapes, one of Aesop’s Fables).”
For those who’ve been following the saga, you’ll know that B.C. liquor laws recently joined us all in the 21st century by allowing for some sales of alcohol in grocery stores, through either a 100 per cent B.C. wine-on-shelf or store-in-store full liquor model, depending on the licence.
The move came after an extensive public consultation with consumers, industry, community groups, academics, unions, cities and more.
Of late, it’s become an almost weekly occurrence that the media republishes a dispatch in which self-serving talking points, half-truths and often complete untruths are being presented as broad-representative opinion of the B.C. liquor industry post liquor-reform by one of the many divergent special interest groups alleging to support B.C. wine.
The same voices decrying the BC Wine Institute (BCWI) for having the apparent audacity of showcasing 100 per cent B.C. grown and produced premium wines in community grocery stores to willing consumers who had the equal audacity to ask for it, are the same who claim to care about local economies and small (their) business. One almost gets vertigo.
In reality, although there are some legitimate concerns out there, and some folks would like to see more changes, or none at all (ever) — the truth is that the sky isn’t falling, nobody is really afraid of a “U.S. take-over” and everyone is simply adjusting to the new paradigm of bringing B.C. liquor policy out of the Dark Ages.
For 25 years, the BC Wine Institute and its members have been staking bold positions for 100 per cent BC VQA wine on the global stage, and today, we’re doing the same in our own backyard, by defending our right, as determined by the people of British Columbia, to be able to sell our locally grown and produced premium products from the shelves at select local grocery stores right here at home.
We remain absolutely resolute in our mission to expand sales opportunities for our 248 B.C. family-owned wineries. We will defend our member-owned BC VQA store licences’ right to operate and sell our wine, wherever that may be.
Sour grapes is no sunny ways, and we at the BCWI will be continuing to shine light on 100 per cent B.C. wines!
Miles Prodan
BC Wine Institute President/CEO
Kelowna
