The SAQ Is Raising Prices On All Bottles, Except For Cheap Wine

Your next house party might cost you a bit more for booze. The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) just announced they're bumping up prices on most of their bottles. But it's not all gloom for the budget-conscious buyer.

Wines that don't break the $15 mark are getting a free pass from the price surge, safeguarding roughly 41% of the SAQ's stash from the uptick. Quebec's liquor retailer says the price hike is all about keeping the balance between making customers happy and making sure the organization is still making money.

For those already tallying up the extra coins they'll need to shell out for their beloved beverages, there's a silver lining. That $25 bottle of wine or the $45 spirits will only see a 0.6% climb in cost.

Meanwhile, the SAQ is also uncorking a new schedule that allows upward price adjustments three times a year, starting in May. The move is supposed to make pricing more flexible and responsive to market conditions and suppliers' needs.

The cost of a bottle at the SAQ includes taxes and duties paid to the Canadian and Quebec governments, the supplier's price (which includes shipping), and the SAQ's own markup.

A3, an association representing Quebec's wine and spirit agencies, is on board with the price shift, calling it "a breath of fresh air in the SAQ’s ways of doing things." The new system is expected to help producers offer a wider and more appealing selection of products at fair prices.

While you might notice a slight increase in prices for some drinks at the SAQ, the impact on your wallet should be minimal, especially for cheaper wines. The updated pricing strategy could also bring a wider variety of options to the shelves — a win for consumers looking for new and interesting drinks.