September typically signals change. The summer holiday ends, and the cooler days accompany students back to school. 

This September will be different. The landscape for beverage alcohol is changing in Ontario. Beginning September 5, over 4000 additional grocery and convenience stores will begin selling wine, beer, cider and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. This change is a result of Doug Ford’s political promise. About half of the convenience stores in the province will be licenced to sell beverage alcohol. Also, since uniform pricing in the province is ending, the practice of having the price of your favourite bottle of wine be the same at your favourite grocery store, convenience shop, and the LCBO will end. Expect marginally higher prices as these new retailers attempt to rationalize this unfamiliar category. Grocery and convenience retailers can offer their beverage alcohol selection between 7 am and 11 pm every day, including holidays.

The product selection is initially restricted to products made in Canada. After October 1, imported wines, beer, cider, and RTD will be added. To retain control of the fine wine business, VINTAGES selections remain exclusive to LCBO, as do spirits.

While some are excited about this change, others are not. Many convenience operators are rushing to meet the unpredicted September 5th date, suddenly announced on May 24.

Some domestic wineries and craft brewers see this new channel as an opportunity to innovate and offer new, highly rated and exciting items not available at The Beer Store or LCBO.

Let’s explore a few from handful of Ontario Craft Brewers.

Cameron’s Cosmic Cream Ale

Collective Arts Ransack The Universe six-pack

Great Lakes Brewery Vienna Lager

Thornbury Kings Pilsner

Looking for new local wines that are under $20? Try Ramblers from Niagara. These crowd-pleasing wines are to be enjoyed and not taken too seriously. Due to their reasonable prices, you will see this brand in convenience stores.

Ramblers The Chiller Unoaked Chardonnay 2023 is lively with refreshing acidity and tropical flavours. Serve with rotisserie chicken, spicy vegan curry, pasta with cream sauce and Brie.

Ramblers Schmoozer Cabernet Merlot 2022 is smooth, with vanilla and berry aromas, a rounded mouthfeel and a soft, balanced finish. Serve with burgers, pizza, grilled portabello mushrooms and cheddar cheeses.

Wine is about enjoyment and exploration. Just released in VINTAGES is Planeta Frappato 2022 from Sicily. Italy is one of the world’s most varied wine-growing regions, with 350 officially recognized indigenous grape varieties. There may be closer to 600 if you include lesser-known, locally cultivated varieties. Frappato is a rare, unique, indigenous red grape from Sicily, producing medium-bodied, aromatic wines with good acidity. Planeta Frappato 2022 is juicy with forward floral aromas, spicy flavours and a lingering flavourful finish, offering a unique taste experience. Serve this food-friendly wine with pasta with tomato-based sauces, Charcuterie boards, Asian cuisine, roasted red peppers and soft, semi-soft and mild cheeses.

Cheers to the evolving landscape of beverage alcohol in Ontario!

Shari 🥂

Not from Ontario? Try WineSearcher.