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Here in Canada, sparkling wine is one of the few wine categories with broad momentum despite overall softness in wine volume
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A number of factors have conspired to boost sparkling wine consumption in B.C., turning a once-sleepy category into something far more compelling. Among the obvious reasons are the naturally high acidity in cooler sites, more informed viticultural techniques, greater investment in using traditional Champagne methods, stronger demand from restaurants, and a consumer shift away from bubbles being only a celebratory drink.
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And then there is the Prosecco phenomenon. The Italian bubble-lite has been on a worldwide growth rampage for several years, inspiring a younger generation of sparkling wine fans by turning late-afternoon and early-evening bubbles into a standing ritual.
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West Coast Table
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Here in Canada, sparkling wine is one of the few wine categories with broad momentum despite overall softness in wine volume. Statistics Canada reported that total wine volume fell 3 per cent in 2022-23, while sparkling wine sales rose 5.9 per cent, making it the standout performer in an otherwise difficult market. And it is all happening just as consumers are embracing white wines and rosé, and many of those selections involve effervescence.
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B.C., in particular, boasts a wide range of styles, including several that do not compete directly with Champagne in style or price. While there are some excellent traditional-method labels to look for, and some that take you to Champagne, there are far more frizzante wines, pét-nats, and ancestral-method bottlings that, in many ways, ape the Prosecco style, coming with less pressure, lower acidity, a hint of residual sugar and a mix of small and medium frothy bubbles.
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B.C. producers have also been curious enough to go beyond the traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blends by releasing individual renderings of Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Gamay and sparkling Pinot Gris, in various styles: rosé, blanc de blancs and blanc de noirs.
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The 2026 WineAlign National Wine Awards sparkling wine results have just been released, and while Ontario clearly won the day, there were some excellent showings from B.C. in a category that yielded a record number of medals awarded, with 23 golds, 34 silvers and 43 bronzes.
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Here is a quick look at the top-performing B.C. labels that entered the competition by their rank. There were no vintage restrictions, so over time we see more and more aged sparklers earning top marks, which speaks to the development of Canadian sparkling wine.
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Serendipity 2016 Sparkling Truth ($50), and 50th Parallel 2020 Blanc de Noir ($102), topped the B.C. list this year. At 10 years of age, the Serendipity exhibits the finesse and taste profile you would hope for from a decade-old sparkler, while the 50th Parallel simply sparkled. Both wines earned high-level gold medals and, as far as we know, are available directly from the winery at the estimated prices provided to organizers when they entered the wines.
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From there the rest of the Top 10 features some familiar labels: La Frenz 2021 Aster Brut ($40), 2023 Seven Stars (Township 7) Rigel Fool’s Gold ($40), Tinhorn Creek N/V Blanc de Blanc ($45), Tantalus 2023 Blanc de Blancs ($42), Fitzpatrick 2021 Fitz Brut ($42), 91 Blue Grouse Charme de l’île Brut ($30), and 2017 Seven Stars (Township 7) Sirius LD ($92).
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It would seem the biggest opportunity for local sparkling wine producers is to stop positioning their wines as a Champagne alternative and instead position them as B.C.’s own high-acid, mountain-coastal, food-friendly, place-driven answer to modern wine drinking.
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Weekend wine picks
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Liber Estates Everyday Chardonnay 2025, Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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$23.99 | 90/100
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UPC: 611138444705
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Organically grown Similkameen Chardonnay is a great start for a high-quality everyday white wine. Fresh, juicy and fruity, it shows a streak of tropical fruit before a touch of texture, ending in a mostly dry pear-and-red-apple finish. It is also made for everyday foods: tacos, fish cakes, popcorn, and Margherita pizza. Great value here.
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Clos du Soleil Winemaker’s Series Whispered Secret Vineyard Pinot Gris 2025, Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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$26.90 | 90/100
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UPC: 626990344957
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Similkameen Pinot Gris has as much promise as any in B.C., and this white peach, pear, and citrus example confirms the variety’s growing reputation among those who favour its leaner, more electric side. A touch of desert scrub and melon on the finish makes it a winner. The fruit comes from the certified organic Whispered Secret Vineyard on the south side of the Similkameen Valley. Clean, fresh, and a good step above the norm.
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Mt. Boucherie Rosé Zweigelt — Pinot Noir 2025, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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$27.99 | 89/100
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UPC: 812289000561
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There is something about a field blend that brings a wine together before it even reaches the crush pad. The mix is Pinot Noir and Zweigelt, with a pale fluorescent pink colour. On the nose, there are white-flower and citrus aromas. The palate offers pleasing sweet watermelon and citrus-orange notes, balanced and ready to drink. Patio perfect.
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Four Shadows Merlot 2021, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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$29 | 88/100
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UPC: 626990339328
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A classic Bench Merlot with a fragrant, minty cassis nose and an earthy, savoury undercurrent. The tannins are seamless, and the savoury black plum delivers a polished, fruity mid-palate and a balanced, persistent finish. It is another wine you can drink now or hold through 2028. Built for both near-term enjoyment and short cellaring, serve now with braised veal shanks.
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Mazzei Zisola 2022, Sicily, Italy
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$32 | 89/100
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UPC: 8016118461147
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This is an interesting look at Sicilian Nero d’Avola given a touch of Tuscan polish. The trick is taming Sicilian ripeness with a bit of Tuscan restraint. Look for blackberry, mulberry, orange peel dusted with wild Mediterranean herbs, measured oak, dark fruit, licorice, and mostly smooth tannins. The calcareous soils and cooling sea breezes preserve freshness, giving the wine energy, structure, impressive drinkability, and a surprisingly elegant, lightweight style that is perfectly in tune with summer.
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Calendar and other items
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• Painted Rock managing director Lauren Skinner has posted a terrific “mom’s guide” of family-friendly things to do in the South Okanagan. Skinner spends a large part of every summer in Penticton with two girls (ages four and seven) and is responding to that never-ending question from visitors: Where should families go when visiting the South Okanagan? It’s not just a “kid attractions” guide, but one that recommends real spots where parents can still have a great meal or drink good coffee, while the kids are genuinely happy, too. You will find the full story at paintedrock.ca, and I have to say, she nailed it.
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• Congratulations to Benoît Gauthier, chief operating officer and director of winemaking and viticulture, and the team at Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery, whose flagship traditional-method sparkling wine, Noble Ridge 2019 The One ($40), has been named best sparkling wine of the year at the All Canadian Wine Championships. The fruit is grown in the Home Vineyard overlooking Vaseux Lake in Okanagan Falls. It is a 77/23 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, aged an impressive 67 months in bottle, giving it ample time to develop its character. A sophisticated glass of sparkling wine, ready to enjoy, and yet another B.C. bubble making waves across the country.
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B.C. wine of the week
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Lakeboat Merlot 2023, Kaleden, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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$29.95 | 89/100
UPC: 696852078610
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I enjoy the juicy, fragrant style of this wine, which seems to be a Merlot you can depend on and drink the moment you get it home. Lakeboat wines tend toward an approachable, fruit-forward style. Look for plenty of plums, black cherry, soft tannins, and just enough oak to support all that without overwhelming it. Definitely easy sipping and ready to drink at an affordable price. Pure fun, all value.
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Value wine of the week
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Fontanafredda Derthona 2023, Piedmont, Italy
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$39.99 | 92/100
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UPC: 8000174014232
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Derthona is the ancient Roman name for Tortona. Timorasso is a native grape of the Colli Tortonesi DOC, a hilly region (colli) surrounding Tortona, located 60 miles east of Barolo and the Langhe hills. In 2000, the Consorzio registered Derthona as a trademark for their Timorasso, honouring its historic origins in the territory of this grape. Many locals regarded it as Barolo’s white wine because of its excellent aging potential. I compare it somewhat to Sémillon — not in flavour, but in its ability to attract when young and after extended bottle aging. Expect a deep straw-yellow hue, an aromatic nose of exotic fruits that carries through the palate, and a finish with nutty and mineral notes. As it matures, it will develop more weight and complexity, pairing well with richer dishes. Available until the 25th.
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