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Wine wins with new deal

Local wine may start flowing eastward in greater volumes with a recently signed inter-provincial deal.

The new trade agreement is expected to cut down on red tape for B.C.’s wineries, which will open up the markets in Ontario and Quebec for local wine.

In a news release, director of the B.C. Wine Institute Ezra Cipes said this will be an opportunity for those in Central Canada to get a taste of western wines.

"Each wine region across our country has something unique to offer consumers who are looking for a diversity of choices,” Cipes said. “This change is a step in the right direction for Canadian wine lovers to discover the beauty and diversity of Canadian wines."

B.C. Wine Institute president and CEO Miles Prodan said the benefits would extend to wineries in Ontario and Quebec.

"We strongly believe in the free trade of Canadian wine and this is a great common-sense change that will positively impact wine producers from all three provinces,” Prodan said.

The deal follows similar agreements with Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Manitoba.

There are currently more than 320 wineries in B.C., up from 70 in 2001.

The industry has created more than 10,000 jobs in the province, according to the Wine Institute.

The B.C. government noted that this is a step toward modernizing the province’s liquor laws.



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