The Friday Files: News & Notes from Canada's Wine Scene

Well, I guess they say "better late than never," riiight? Looks like another progressive step in bringing liquor policy into modern times is happening, this time evening the playing field for private and government (and soon grocery) stores with all receiving the same wholesale liquor discounts. Apparently, restaurants will still pay full retail. Here's how it affects BC wine.

I can riff on this and make a joke, but the deadpan delivery by The Drinks Business does better by just laying out the facts: "Wildlife officials have been called upon in the Yukon to help sober up flocks of Bohemian waxwings after a number of crash landings." According to reports by The Toronto Star, a number of residents reported seeing several birds feasting on the berries of Mountain Ash trees before flying off erratically and crashing into windows. Unable to fly in a straight line, officials have taken to detaining the inebriated birds in makeshift “drunk tanks”, essentially hamster cages, until the effects have worn off.

Hey, it's the Toronto Gourmet Food & Wine Expo this weekend and I’m stoked to be in town for it! Looking forward to catching up with My Wine Canada’s EastDell Estate Wines, Oxley Estate Winery, Creekside Estate Winery and more!

The Globe & Mail’s Beppi Crosariol put wine aside to focus on craft distilleries, highlighting some good, solid Canadian content as well.

The major success story that is Vancouver’s Fresh Tap, the group who’ve put wine-on-tap into most of the city’s hot restaurants, continues eastward with an Ontario outpost. Let the wine flow!

Finally, when in Rome – do as the Romans do! British Columbia’s Okanagan College, nestled right in the heart of wine country, is now offering wine workshops. Here’s hoping everyone gets plenty of homework!!

Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine consultant, writer, competition judge and enthusiast. He’s not half as fancy/boring as that sounds. He Tweets and Instagrams @KurtisKolt.