Québec SAQ

• Wine is part of a provincial monopoly. The government owned Société des alcohols du Québec (SAQ) is responsible for 58% of alcohol sales.
• Consumer like European wine. It accounts for 76% by value (74.8% by volume) in Québec.
• SAQ stores offer 14,000 wines. Listings are determined through a blind tasting selection process.
• Import agencies act as expert intermediaries and are crucial to navigating the system. Seventy-two agencies represent over 95% of sales at the SAQ.S
• 3,666 closures (out of over 22,000 restaurants and bars) were closed since the start of the pandemic.
• Many skilled sommeliers and well-known wine critics provide consumers with relevant information.
• Natural wine is an important niche. Québec’s enthusiasm for natural wine attracted the likes of RAW WINE fair which first started in 2018.

Read here the full article by Meininger's Wine Business International on Quebec