Canada’s Taste for Wine is Increasing

Canadians have become real red wine connoisseurs, but we still like our home grown beer, too. According to Statistics Canada, alcohol sales throughout the country in 2013 rose 2.2% from 2012, but a change in what Canadians are buying at the liquor store is noticeable.

Although beer remains the most popular choice, the market share of wine has been increasing steadily. For instance, in 2003, beer had a 50% market share, while wine possessed 24% of the market. By 2013, the market share for beer declined to 43%, with wine increasing to 32%.

All provinces demonstrated their increased taste for wine over the last year, with Alberta seeing the largest sales increase at 11%.

Red wine has become more popular in the last decade throughout the country. In 2013, red wine represented 56% of total wine sales throughout Canada, compared with 51% in 2003.

Domestic beer and wine witnessed a slight preference over imports in 2013.