Confident Curious Drinkers

The latest numbers from Statistics Canada point to a phenomenal jump in wine consumption over the previous decade. Year-over-year since 1998, the average gain has been close to eight per cent with 2007 topping out at 11.2 per cent above 2006.

British Columbians are currently drinking 17.3 litres per capita and even more stunning is a national average of 15 litres per person, or 50 per cent more than it was in 1998. One could say the numbers are a natural evolution as wine drinkers become more curious and more confident.

In many cases, Canadians are now growing up in households where wine consumption with meals is already in its second and third generation. It's all about experience.

With just under 400 wineries now registered in Canada, Canadians see wine in a much different light then they did even a decade ago. We grow grapes, we make wine and here's the big change: It may not be the big, evil, demon drink it has been made out to be for so long by the anti-alcohol lobby.

In a world where everyone is concerned about food sources and natural products, wine is the ultimate poster child for sourcing. Not only do most wines tell you where they come from, we know who makes them and who owns the company. Producers visit consumers and talk about their product and how it's made. It is also heading down the sustainably grown path quicker than any other global food.

As good as the news may be for wine, there are plenty of dark clouds ahead. Rising fuel/transportation and energy costs will have a significant impact on future pricing and consumption. Local producers may be licking their chops thinking we will turn to B.C. wine in even bigger numbers but the latest statistics don't quite support that scenario.

According to Statistics Canada what we are paying for those 17.3 litres of wines is $215.50 annually or approximately $12.45 per litre which is just over half the price of a typical litre of B.C. VQA wine. So going local means a big drop in consumption unless we want to spend a lot more money, and it doesn't appear either is an option at the moment.

But we digress -- let's drink some wine. We can't wait much longer for summer or rosé season to arrive so here's some top pinks to kick off summer, with or without sunshine.

The style of the Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine is rich and slightly heavier than what you might expect from even the normally richer Tavel roses. It has a bright, citrus, fruit nose with candied red fruits flecked with mineral and floral notes. There is plenty more earthy cherry fruit with bits of red apple, a touch of almond with a candied apple finish. A summer dinner wine.

The Morandé Pionero Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Rose 2007 is a mix of cabernet sauvignon and syrah pressed off after a few hours of skin contact. Look for fresh tangy acidity on the palate subduing any sense of overt sweetness. There is more strawberry cherry fruit behind and a touch of savoury in the finish. Serve well chilled with grilled prawns. Good value at $13.

Sparkling pink Prosecco doesn't get much better than the Bartolomeo Prosecco Marzemino Vino Spumante Rosato Extra Dry. From its pale raspberry colour to its fresh, slightly sweet entry to its delicious pear, peach, red apple, mineral, light melon flavours. Perfect for summer wedding receptions.

Leave it to Antinori and his Guado al Tasso Scalabrone 2006 to make a summer splash in style. The nose is a mix of red fruit notes with a twist of grass and earth. On the palate the fruit flavours are tangy, cleaning the palate from front to back and offering up subtle hints of strawberry and mineral. A solid pink for pre-dinner party, appetizers on the deck. Look for it in select private wine stores only.

Domaine Le Pive 2007 comes from the unlikely Vin de Pays des Sables du Golfe du Lion region (quick grab an atlas), or better yet, just drink it. The blend is a mix of grenache noir with merlot and cabernet franc. The colour is spot-on pinky-orange, with a very aromatic nose of red fruits and dried herbs. The palate is fresh with strawberry citrus leafy notes and a dusting of sweet fruit in the finish. There is just enough acidity to sets of the sweet fruit and keep the finish fresh.

Another fun sparkler is the Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rose with its faint pink-coppery-salmon colour and strawberry-cranberry fruit flavours. It has plenty of zippy acidity and a whiff of minerality to make it very food friendly. Excellent for patio appetizers or sushi.

Price: $22.99

UPC: 785255000028

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Big cherry earthy, red apple fruit.

MORANDE PIONERO CABERNET SAUVIGNON SYRAH ROSE, REGION DEL VALLE CENTRAL, CHILE

Price: $13.00

UPC: 07804449002877

Score: 86/100

Remarks: Strawberry cherry fruit and a touch of savoury in the finish.

BEATO BARTOLOMEO BREGANZE PROSECCO MARZEMINO VINO SPUMANTE ROSATO EXTRA DRY N/V, VENETO, ITALY

Price: $22.00

UPC: 8017799117651

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Delicate, fresh, fruity style.

GUADO AL TASSO SCALABRONE 2006, BOLGHERI, TUSCANY, ITALY

Price: $25.00, select private wine shops

UPC: 8001935253204

Score: 87/100

Remarks: A solid pink for pre-dinner party, appetizers on the deck.

DOMAINE LE PIVE GRIS 2007, LANGUEDOC, FRANCE

Price: $15

UPC: 3186127715540

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Buy this one by the case and party on.

LUCIEN ALBRECHT CREMANT D'ALSACE BRUT ROSE N/V, ALSACE, FRANCE

Price: $25

UPC: 03471952318005

Score: 89/100

Remarks: Excellent for patio appetizers or sushi