Author: MarkH

There continues to be a great deal of media coverage of anti-alcohol advocates who claim that there is “no safe level” of alcohol consumption. This series of blog posts provides 3 reasons why I will continue to ignore these assertions.

Reason #2 – Don’t Listen to Biased Sources

The second reason that I am not paying much attention to the anti-alcohol advocates is that I generally only give credence to scientists and other experts that I believe are looking at the issues with a proper unbiased perspective and who are neutral. In other words, I pay attention to who is making the claims and what their motivations might be. I need to trust the source. I think that much of the work coming from the anti-alcohol camp is not neutral science … rather it is advocacy cloaked in scientific language. Most of the anti-alcohol crowd derive from one of two camps: they are either public health professionals or are academics whose research interests are devoted to anti-alcohol work.

In terms of the public health group, I believe that for the most part, this group is well-intentioned but often becomes misguided. On many contemporary public policy issues, public health has focused their analysis far too narrowly, often using a metric of mortality reduction related to a single disease without considering the wider effects on society or even on properly targeting the actual problem. In addition, they have sometimes demonstrated a propensity to not provide the whole truth if they believe that a “white lie” will accomplish their policy objectives. The World Health Organization has become, sadly, a prime example of this.

The results can be problematic … as was demonstrated during Covid regarding the contradictory messaging regarding the effectiveness of masks.  In my home province of British Columbia, this approach also caused serious political repercussions when a “harm reduction” policy of drug decriminalization was accepted at the behest of public health. This resulted in rampant social disorder, out-of-control public drug use and continued increases in overdose deaths. The province had to reverse the policy to stem the damage.

Many of these same experts have also advocated for various anti-alcohol policies such as hefty tax increases and sales restrictions, arguing that an overall reduction in alcohol consumption will reduce alcohol-related harms. That blunt and over-reaching approach rarely works as Scotland recently discovered when increases to its minimum alcohol pricing had little to no effect on problem drinkers (while increasing the costs for everyone else). See Minimum Pricing, Miserable Results.

The reality is that simple solutions to complex problems rarely work … and that if you want to actually reduce alcohol-related harms, you should target the people who are drinking too much … not those who are drinking wine in moderation with dinner.  

In terms of the other group of academics, I also don’t believe that most of them are truly neutral. Decades of scientific analysis has shown that moderate alcohol consumption is either fine or confers some small health benefits. Some recent studies have argued that the earlier work was wrong and that there is “no safe level” of alcohol consumption. However, the science behind such a change in conclusions is dubious at best and probably wrong. See Has the WHO lost its way regarding alcohol? 

Many of the proponents of these claims have built careers on anti-alcohol advocacy and are enjoying a moment in the sun, supported by unquestioning media. I believe that it is appropriate to question whether someone who gains all or nearly all of their income from anti-alcohol research is ideologically biased. Some of these folks also have long established connections and working relationships with avowed temperance organizations such as Movendi (formerly the International Order of Good Templars) which requires a lifetime pledge of abstinence to be a member. It’s a bit like asking your vegan cousin to organize the food choices for the family picnic … don’t be surprised when there are no meat options.

Reputable studies and institutions continue to publish studies that provide balanced analysis and continue to show certain benefits from moderate consumption. These are reviewed nicely in this excellent article by Dr. Laura Catena, a physician who is also a winemaker. There is also a good analysis by Dr. Ken Mukamal from Harvard here: Is Alcohol Good or Bad for You? Yes. As such, I recommend being careful who you listen to on these issues – and consider tuning out if you suspect that the “scientist” is someone who is motivated by anti-alcohol bias and/or is someone whose career has been defined by that type of work.

Who should you trust? An accomplished researcher from Harvard and an experienced physician? Or a social science professor with a long history of anti-alcohol work? I know who has my trust and confidence. As a result, I will continue to drink wine in moderation, as I have for the past few decades and as civilized society has for thousands of years.

Stay tuned for Reason #3 – Individuals Should Make Their Own Choices

Reason #1 is here: Only Pay Attention to Good Science

There continues to be a great deal of media coverage of anti-alcohol advocates who claim that there is “no safe level” of alcohol consumption. This series of blog posts provides 3 reasons why I will continue to ignore these assertions.

Reason #1 – Only Pay Attention to Good Science

I studied the history and philosophy of science as an undergraduate. While I have great respect for scientists and their accomplishments over the centuries, I am also keenly aware of what can go wrong. Science often has an aura of both truth and infallibility, which is perpetuated by the media. In reality, science and its conclusions are only as good as the scientific method that is used for any particular analysis. Unfortunately, some science is either poorly done or extremely difficult to do … and the conclusions are often dubious or incorrect. 

The science behind the “no safe level” alcohol claims is part of a branch of science known as “nutritional epidemiology”. It is based on observations of the lifestyles and health of people which are almost always compiled from questionnaires (i.e. data which can be inherently unreliable due to inaccurate responses and/or bias). This branch of science has serious structural issues which should prevent sweeping conclusions or, at the very least, any conclusions should be subject to extensive caveats and warnings. 

John Ioannidis is a professor at Stanford University and an acknowledged expert on the validity of scientific studies and conclusions. In 2018, he wrote that “the emerging picture of nutritional epidemiology is difficult to reconcile with good scientific principles. The field needs radical reform.” There is a good analysis of the overarching problems in this book by Stuart Ritchie: Science Fictions: How Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype Undermine the Search for Truth (at p.164 onward). And there is more specific analysis regarding the “no safe level” claim in this fine article by David Morrison: Has the WHO lost its way regarding alcohol?  

For further background on the science related to alcohol and health, you might want to take a look at these recent books: The Very Good News About Wine by Tony Edwards and Wine & Health by Richard Baxter, MD.

At a most basic level, and after carefully looking at all the evidence, I do not believe that there is any reliable scientific evidence that the moderate consumption of alcohol poses any significant risk to most individuals … and I am strongly of the view that the “no safe level” conclusion has almost zero scientific merit. As such, I will continue to drink wine in moderation, as I have for the past few decades and as civilized society has for thousands of years.

Reason #2 – Don’t Listen to Biased Sources

In mid-September, AIDV Canada will be holding a webinar that focuses on the regulatory and business processes related to importing grapes between BC and Washington state.

Speakers will discuss their experiences to date which can offer a roadmap for winery and vineyard operators and their advisors on both sides of the Canada-US border. Such a roadmap is not specific to Washington State and British Columbia, but rather can be adapted for future cross-border (bi-directional) sale of grapes or juice between North American wine regions.

Further information and registration information is here: AIDV September Webinar on Importing Grapes/Juice

The 2024 AIDV Canada wine law conference and annual general meeting will be held in Toronto on April 24th. There are options for in-person and virtual attendance. There is a great line-up of speakers covering essential topics such as interprovincial trade barriers, regulatory updates and the effects of Quebec’s language laws on labelling and marketing. If you are able to attend in-person, there will also be a lunch and wine tasting. Full details and registration information is here.

I have been involved professionally in the BC wine industry since 2008. Since that time, the industry has grown exponentially and has enjoyed considerable international recognition. While there have been some bumps and challenges along the way, the intervening years have generally been “golden” years of growth and expansion. Unfortunately, and mostly due to Mother Nature, the good times have come to an abrupt end. The industry is now in a state of crisis beyond anything that I could contemplate. I am gravely worried about the near future and almost as concerned about the longer term. Here’s why.

If you have not heard, the interior wine regions of BC experienced a deep freeze in December 2022. Generally, temperatures dropped below a danger zone for vines for about 42 hours. The resulting effect was primary bud loss of over 50% and vine death of about 30% for planted vineyards. This resulted in a dramatic reduction in the 2023 crop as well as a need to replant those affected vines that had died completely.  It generally takes 3 years for replanted vines to start producing in sufficient quantity and quality. 

On its own, this was a calamitous event as it seriously affects the economics of wine production. There will be a lag before the financial consequences kick in as it takes time between harvest (in the fall of a particular year) and the time when the wine is ready to be sold. This lag will vary between wineries and particular wine styles but is often about 1-2 years for white wines and 2-3 years for red wines. For example, as a result of the reduced 2023 crop, wineries could have about 50% less white wine to sell in 2024-2025 and 50% less red wine in 2025-2026. They would also have to pay for the unexpected cost of replanting vineyards which runs about $50,000 an acre … and wait for those new vines to start producing useable grapes.

Sadly, things have become much worse. In January 2024, another deep freeze hit which was worse than the first one (see this excellent presentation by Dr. Ben-Min Chang if you want the details). This time temperatures dropped further into the danger zone and for longer … for 57 hours. Initial assessments have catalogued primary bud loss at 90-100% with wide-ranging secondary and tertiary bud loss as well which will affect the next year. The extent of vine death is harder to measure until the weather gets warmer but it will be worse than the first freeze and could be extensive.  Cumulatively, this likely means the following:

• More than 50% crop loss for 2023 
• Close to 100% crop loss for 2024
• Additional significant crop loss for 2025 due to tertiary bud damage
• Additional significant crop losses for 2025-2027 due to vine death

It is hard to catalogue the extent of the consequences of the above for the wine industry and connected businesses, such as growers, workers, retailers and restaurants, but here are some possible effects assuming that no external assistance is available and that wineries do not take proactive remediation measures:

• Extreme contraction in availability of VQA and 100% BC wine during the affected years.
• Significant reduction in revenue for wineries and growers over the affected years.
• Significant losses on the financial statements of almost all wineries and growers – most would be deep in the red over the affected years.
• Layoffs and widespread cost-cutting.
• Many wineries going out of business and/or for sale.
• Inevitable loss of market share for BC wine to imports. 
• Further reduction in vineyard real estate values and winery business values. 

There will also be “knock-on” effects for others in the supply chain. For example, some retailers are either legally restricted to selling only BC wine or have chosen to do so. For those retailers, there will be much less wine to sell.  Many will be forced to start selling other wines if they are legally able to do so. Similarly, some restaurants have created wine lists that are predominantly BC. Again, they will be forced to re-think and to start selling other wines.

It is my view that only the most well-capitalized wineries would be able to survive this tumultuous period without taking drastic proactive measures. I just don’t see how most small to medium sized wineries can survive such significant losses of revenue over such a protracted length of time. I am aware that there are efforts underway to form an industry-wide request for government assistance … and I am aware that government has indicated a general willingness to help. Nevertheless, individual wineries may wish to consider if some of the following proactive steps may be desirable:

• For commercial wineries, import juice or grapes from elsewhere in order to have product to sell (albeit not 100% BC product). 
• For land based wineries, consider converting to commercial categorization so that you can do the above. Conversion may not be as onerous as you believe, contact me if you need advice.
• Advocate for temporary changes to the LDB’s land-based winery rules to allow some form of the above without losing land-based status.
• Ensure that any labelling of non-BC product is not misleading and compliant with federal labelling rules.
• Unify around a request for government assistance. Government will be more likely to act if the industry can provide options that have consensus or near-consensus.

I note that the Walla Walla region in WA state has experienced devastating freeze events from time to time, particularly in 1996 and 2004. This has resulted in some of its storied producers sourcing grapes from outside the appellation (and even from outside the state). See this news story for details and this resulting “Appellation American” wine from prominent producer, Leonetti Cellars.I note that the above applies to the interior wine regions of BC. Coastal wine producing areas thankfully escaped the extreme temperatures. As such, wineries in these regions will be able to continue business pretty much as normal (likely with increased demand for 100% BC product). Regrettably, it will likely take years before the interior wine producing regions can recover fully from these tragic climate induced events.