California Legislators Plead With Quebec To Take Their Bourbon Back, Premier Legault Discovers The Joy Of Saying Non
California lawmakers, representing a state whose economy is larger than most G7 members, have written to Quebec Premier François Legault asking, with what aides describe as "increasing desperation," for the SAQ to please, please put American booze back on the shelves.
Legault, a man who has spent his political career explaining that Quebec is different, appears to be enjoying the novel experience of being begged by Californians. Sources close to the premier say he read the letter twice, poured himself a glass of Cru du Coteau, and filed it under "interesting."
The California delegation's argument leans heavily on the shared values of two jurisdictions that both consider themselves nations trapped inside larger federations. Quebec's counter-argument leans heavily on the fact that Napa Valley did not, in fact, publicly object when the tariffs were announced, and now would like the retail shelf space back please.
The SAQ, for its part, reports that Ontario VQA sales are up, French Bordeaux is moving, and a Nova Scotia sparkling wine nobody had heard of in March is now in its third reprint of shelf tags. Consumers, it turns out, adapt.
One Sacramento staffer, speaking on background, admitted the letter was a long shot. "We thought maybe the maple syrup lobby had a soft spot for us," he said. It does not. The maple syrup lobby has never had a soft spot for anyone, including other maple syrup.