Sarah Baird tastes a glass of red wine at Terrior, Prince Edward County’s annual premiere wine and food festival, at Picton’s Crystal Palace on Saturday May 14, 2016. Baird was one of hundreds that packed the facility and surrounding grounds, sampling from local wineries and food catering services in what many described as a ‘delectable experience for the taste buds’. (Photo: Michael J Brethour / Quinte News)
Some good news for local wine lovers, as the province announced new rules, allowing the sale of wine in some grocery stores across Ontario.
Finance Minister Charles Sousa made the announcement Friday, that wine will be available at 67 grocery stores Ontario-wide, including WalMart on Millenium Parkway in Belleville.
It’s a bit of consolation for Quinte-area residents, who were upset that no local locations were tapped when beer began being sold at 57 grocery stores last December.
The government’s plan is to have wine in 300 of the province’s 1,500 grocery stores and beer in 450 of them, by 2025.
Grocers will also be restricted to selling wines with a retail price of $10.95 per 750 mL bottle, or higher and the sale of wine, beer and cider adheres to standard hours, which are: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
