Summer rosés

Beginning in 1916, the law of the land prohibited the manufacture and distribution of alcohol in Ontario. When prohibition was finally repealed, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) was formed. Since then, it’s been a long road to the more relaxed standards of today.

Even though the great sobriety experience had failed, the newly formed LCBO—as sole provider of liquor permit cards— proved itself an able agent of an authoritarian government. Between 1927 and 1962, you had to apply for a permit to purchase alcohol. Permit holders were required to maintain public decorum and sobriety. Failure meant loss of permit and the privilege to purchase alcohol. Ontario citizens who lost their permits had their names circulated throughout the various police departments and could have the pejorative title “drunkard” applied to their name in the event of over-consumption.

Suffice to say, the rules are somewhat more relaxed today and the same institution makes in excess of $1.8 billion profit for our province. What’s next? How much could be added the provincial coffers if the LCBO outlets were privatized, as in Alberta? What if you could buy alcohol at a local dépanneur, as they do in Quebec?

SUMMER ROSÉS
This summer heat begs a chilled glass of rosé wine to cool the fevered brow and help the slide into an evening’s leisure.

Stay a step ahead of the heat: select one of our excellent County-grown rosés to enhance your summer social event, pair up with your favourite summer fare, or simply to enjoy a moment of repose while watching the sunset. With over 30 wineries to choose from, why not create a rosé wine tour to sample and discover your favourites—then stock up for the summer.

If the weather gurus’ prognostications are correct, it might see you through the upcoming deluge.