Wine Kitz Atlantic

NOVA SCOTIA LIQUOR CORPORATION 2011 ANNUAL REPORT

Several weeks back I reviewed the recently released NSLC 2011 Annual Report.

It was with much delight, but with very little surprise, I discovered that retail wine sales in Nova Scotia have grown by 5.9% when compared to 2010 wine sales. According to last year’s 2010 NSLC Annual Report, retail wine sales grew by 3%, making the 2011 5.9% increase that much more impressive. According to the 2011 Annual Report, “wine continues to drive overall sales performance with growth in both sales and volume.”  Good news all around!

We, the stakeholders and store owners/operators in the consumer-made wine industry are very pleased by the above sales figures. Despite the fact that the NSLC has often labeled us a “significant competitor” to the commercial wine industry, we have always considered ourselves “supplementary” to the commercial wine industry.  We not only teach consumers how to make wine, but we also introduce consumers to the benefits of enjoying a good bottle of wine (or two). Winemaking consumers often purchase wine when out for dinner at local licensed establishments. Winemaking consumers often compare their own wines by purchasing commercial wines.  This all adds up to increased wine sales at NSLC retail stores.

In keeping with the old adage “numbers don’t lie”, this 2011 report is further proof that the winemaking stores which currently offer in-store winery services have had nothing but a positive impact on commercial wine sales in NS.

In closing I must offer kudos to the NSCL for a job well done!  The stakeholders in the consumer-made wine industry are pleased and proud to be partners in continued overall wine sale increases.

The 2011 NSLC Annual Report can be found at the link below. Wine reports are on pages 25-26.

http://issuu.com/nslc/docs/nslc_ar_2010-2011?mode=window&backgroundColor=%230069af