Wine suppliers around the world are very interested in Canada. Between 2005 and 2009 Canadian wine consumption increased 22.5 per cent, leaving the beer and spirits category growth in the dust. Wine consumption in Canada is growing six times faster than the world average. According to one authoritative research firm, this sort of growing Canadian interest in wine between 2010 and 2014 will translate into wine sales of almost $200 billion in this country.
Thankfully wine is gradually becoming part of our lifestyle.
I was in conversation with a New Zealand lawyer-come-pastor friend of mine. We got chatting about the similarities between our countries and he made an interesting observation. Like Canada, New Zealand and Australia were very much pioneering cultures for much of the past 150 years and all had hard drinking backgrounds - perhaps something instinctively done to escape harsh surroundings or socialize in an environment of limited entertainment options. He then went on to note that where wine had begun to become the drink of preference, social attitudes and norms began to change dramatically - as in New Zealand where grape growing and wine consumption have rapidly become part of the new cultural fabric in the last 30 years. Gender inclusiveness, alcohol related violence, the tone and tenure of social gatherings and parties, restaurant culinary standards were all positively affected by more widespread wine consumption. Interesting.
I have seen how wine can be a valuable ingredient in a wholesome lifestyle. Since the earliest times, grape wine has been part of a healthy community. When we talk of health here we're referencing relational enhancement (shared celebration) and moderate consumption (drunk on an expensive bottle of wine is no more noble than drunk on a cheap bottle of whisky). I've shared memorable glasses of aged scotch and cold beer with friends (thank you, John and Minnie) but it's the centrality of food and the rituals of shared food where wine really shines.
Perhaps it's the way wine can dance so beautifully with so many foods in so many cultures, taking simple fare and transforming it to great. I'm biased but it's in this context of food where wine seems to call for sharing louder than does beer or spirits. Pouring wine for a friend or stranger, sipping, savouring aromas in the glass, attentiveness to the interplay of food on plate and wine in hand, catching up on each other's week, unwinding all part of the most positive aspects of a shared glass of wine.
Beer drinkers: God still loves you. But a nice bottle of wine (say $15-$20) may be a surprisingly pleasant experience for you and your friends.
Enjoy.
Doug Reichel
Visit: FineWinesSask.com
Doug's Wine Picks of the Week
Generation Seven White 2011 - VQA Canada ($15.99 - ID No. 16040) Winemaker: Paul Bosc Jr. Wine Description: three grapes all grown on the winery estate: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurtraminer. An easy going wine. Unoaked, fresh and fruity. I've had hardened red wine drinkers admit they really like this white wine. Food pairing suggestions: salads, salsa, oven-roasted chicken basted with fresh herbs, lemon and butter.
Melipal Malbec 2009 - Argentina ($19.75 - ID No. 6952) - Winemaker: Martin Tosolini. Wine Description: 100 per cent organically grown Malbec grapes from their estate. This is how a Malbec should taste: dark, thick, rich fruit with a soft rounding in the palate from 6 months in oak barrels. Food pairing suggestions: grilled burgers or red meats (beef, lamb, bison, venison, etc.), smoked turkey or chicken, chicken wings, tacos, pastas and lasagnes, soft cheeses, you name it.
All wines listed are available in Saskatchewan through your local government liquor store or rural liquor franchisee. If they don't have it in stock, request it by ID# - they'll bring it in.
