Total sales reached 333 million euro in 2017 and although the market is growing, increase in export from Italy is still not significant. The reason is that there are monopolies in Canada which import wines and distribute them on the domestic market. Recently, a free trade agreement between Canada and Italy, with the aim to abolish duties, should bring lower-priced wines to the market, and consequently foster growth. Imported wines account for about 70% of wine sales in Canada.
The Consumer
Canadians love their vino, and tend to favor traditional producers from France and Italy. In fact, Canada is one of the world’s top consumers of imported red, white and rosé wine by volume — drinking 32.7 million cases of foreign wine in 2017. Wine has become part of lifestyle for many people. Canadians now drink 15 litres of wine a head each year. That’s 20 bottles a year – about a bottle and a half a month – and it’s twice what they were drinking in 1990.
The Market
Il Botolo entered the Ontario market in 2014 and has happily been gaining popularity in the province in both the private and restaurant sectors. In February 2017, il Botolo entered the “Products of the World” Program of the LCBO, and we can be found directly in the Destination Italy Store in Woodbridge, Ontario (8260 Highway #27, Woodbridge, L4H 0R9, telephone: 905-264-7366), or on the LCBO on-line store (www.lcbo.com).
On 19 February 2024 we will participate in the sixth edition of Barolo&Friends, organized by the I Vini del Piemonte promotion consortium, where we will have the opportunity to present