Yellowknife (Oct 17/03) - A wine tasting contest had to be cancelled when organizers found out about 1972 liquor regulations.

The Yellowknife Figure Skating Club's fundraiser on Oct. 25 was supposed to include a homemade wine contest with celebrities judging on the outcome.

Shawna Allooloo, a clerk at JJ Hobbies, shows off the wine and beer-making supplies the hobby store sells. - Jennifer Geens/NNSL photo

However, Alan Cash of the skating club said that part of the event got scuttled when organizers checked the liquor regulations and realized that in the NWT, homemade wine can only be consumed in the home of the person who made it.

"We got the idea from events held in other places, like California," Cash said.

"But when we checked the regulations we saw it wasn't going to fly here."

The fundraiser at the Multiplex's DND gymnasium will now include wine sampling, food, mini lectures, entertainment and exhibit tables by local retailers that sell wine-related products.

Ron Courtoreille, general manager of the NWT Liquor Commission, couldn't say exactly how old the regulation governing homemade wine making was.

"It's been around as long as I've been here, and that's 18 years."

He said it probably dated back to 1972 when the liquor regulations were enacted, and this one has never been amended.

Section 105 of the NWT liquor regulations states "a wine permit authorizes the permit holder to make wine in his or her residence for consumption in the residence of the permit holder by the permit holder, his or her family and a guest who is permitted to consume liquor under the Act and these regulations."

The purpose of the regulation, said Courtoreille, is to allow the making of wine for personal consumption, but prevent homemade wine from getting out onto the commercial market.

Without that regulation, it would be possible for bars could make and sell their own liquor.

"The regulations require licensed premises to buy wine from the liquor commission," Courtoreille said.

Though the act makes provision for issuing permits to make wine, Courtoreille said that it isn't enforced.

"We know people are out there making wine. But we're not knocking on doors to find out," he said.

Homemade wine unique

Jennifer Eggenberger of JJ Hobbies has sold wine making equipment and supplies for about 10 years.

"I don't think most people realize they potentially need a permit," she said.

"We're not selling anything alcoholic, just juices. It's not until it starts to ferment and turn into liquor that you have to worry."

Eggenberger said the attraction of wine making is the possibility of playing around and coming up with something unique.

"You can tailor what you're making to your own personality. You don't have to go to the liquor store and buy the same old red wine," Eggenberger said.

She said she understood why the liquor regulations would restrict consumption of homemade wine, citing health concerns.

"You don't know what's in it," she said.

But Eggenberger felt that had the contest gone on, Yellowknife's winemakers would have been keen on entering.

"It's your own personal sweat and tears that go into it, and the attitude of the grape gods that day. People would have been interested," Eggenberger said.