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Throughout Norway, pretty much all sales of alcoholic beverages over 4.7% happens through state-run liquor stores (Vinmonopolet). Their selection is pretty gre
by pcl 6y ago
Throughout Norway, pretty much all sales of alcoholic beverages over 4.7% happens through state-run liquor stores (Vinmonopolet).
Their selection is pretty great, but obviously imposes limits vs. a totally open import arrangement. And if a local store doesn't have something in stock, you can order it for later pickup, much like at a library with multiple branches. I don't know how that works in Svalbard, since it's so remote, but I wouldn't be surprised if they follow more or less the same procedures.
Interestingly, since they are a single buyer for millions of people, the Vinmonopolet purchasers get some great deals. And, since it's state-owned and very regulated, there are rules about how much they can mark up a bottle vs. their purchase price. So, you see this weird phenomenon in which people from elsewhere in Europe will fly to Norway to buy a case of some vintage that turned out really well and as a result is super-expensive everywhere else.
- owenversteeg 6y agoInteresting! Do you have any examples of wines like that? I tried to search and found nothing.
- elygre 6y agohttps://www.aperitif.no/artikler/frankrike-er-kanskje-ikke-best-i-fotball-men-har-verdens-dyreste-viner,349229 https://www.aperitif.no/artikler/frankrike-er-kanskje-ikke-b... Is an article from 2015. It mentions Petrus 2012, at that point available for nok 9500 at vinmonopolet, while winesearcher.com had it at nok 22000.
- zwaps 6y agoInterestingly, almost all "plain" European beers have either 5% or 4,9% of alcohol (Pilsners, Lagers etc.) It seems this may also be a measure to boost local sales?
- nso 6y agoYou don't know a lot about Norwegian politics on this subject if you'd even suggest that. In short it's a way for the government to limit and control the damages associated with alcohol consumption. While this would probably rub the average american the wrong way, most norwegians, including myself, approve of the system. Other posters have given more detail but here is some reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinmonopolet#Foundation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinmonopolet#Foundation https://www.vinmonopolet.no/social-responsibility https://www.vinmonopolet.no/social-responsibility
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]