A Château Cheval Blanc for $19,000 for six liters. A Château La Mission Haut-Brion for $13,725. A Masseto for $10,982.50. These rare nectars, which cost more than $250, are popular with the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), whose numbers have exploded by 60% in five years.
“These wines continue to find buyers,” confirmed Jacques Farcy, CEO of the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), in an interview with the Journal last month on the sidelines of an announcement in the metropolis.
“More high-end bottles always have a customer base. “It's not something where there has been a particular slowdown,” remarked the SAQ big boss when Le Journal asked how luxury was doing in his area.
60% jump
Over the past five years, the number of bottles and containers priced over $250 has increased from 62,800 to over 100,700, an increase of 37,900, or 60%, according to data submitted in response to a request for information Access to the journal's information was obtained.
In total, this represents revenue of $23.7 million in 2018-2019, which reached $37.6 million in 2022-2023. This is an increase of $13.9 million, or nearly 59% (see table at end).
“We can talk about these products that are a little iconic, but ultimately they only represent a small part of the SAQ's total sales. We do not choose our customers. We do not specialize in any particular clientele. We must serve all Quebecers,” emphasized Jacques Farcy.
That $37.6 million is actually a fraction of the SAQ's total revenue of $4.1 billion that year.
Not just wine
There's more than just Methuselah wine in these $250+ bottles (6 liters, the equivalent of 8 bottles).
There are also Scotch whiskeys for $5,651.25 per bottle and Louis Roederer Champagne for $4,482.75 per jeroboam (three liters, the equivalent of 4 bottles).
“These bottles will be made available primarily through the weekly pre-sale system on SAQ.com. Quebecers can access it every Thursday,” explained Jacques Farcy.
“If there is excess inventory, it will be redistributed to the stores,” he concluded.
