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Wine whiners have no case for discrimination

It is time for the California vintners to cease and desist in their hypocrisy.

If the wine and beer industry depended upon the likes of me to stay in business, they would soon be out of business.

That does not mean I do not enjoy an occasional glass of red wine with my T-bone steak, or white wine with my Colonel Sander’s KFC.

California vintners are arguing that exclusive access for B.C. VQA wines is discriminatory. The 12 grocery stores in B.C. – six per cent of the total amount in B.C. – will have VQA-only licences. These 12 grocery stores are selling convenience at a higher price than at your regular liquor outlets.

They are not out to undercut the prices of foreign or domestic products offered in all other private or government outlets, putting them at an unfair price disadvantage.

It really is no different than a regular restaurants or pubs in the U.S., or Canada, offering, or excluding, any or all foreign products they so choose.

It is time for the California vintners to cease and desist in their hypocrisy. In my opinion, they have no case.

 

Fred Perry

Surrey