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Beer or wine?

nonothing

Well-known member
By Lauren La Rose, The Canadian Press



TORONTO - Canadians may still love a good brew, but over the course of a decade, market share for beer has dipped while wine has been on the rise, according to new statistics. And insiders say the changes are likely linked to an emerging sophistication in consumer tastes.


Popping open a cold one still holds appeal for the majority of Canadians. Almost 2.3 billion litres of beer were sold in 2006-07, amounting to $8.4 billion in sales - an increase from the previous year.


But over a 10-year period, beer has seen a decline in its market share, according to figures released Monday by Statistics Canada.


In 1997, beer accounted for 52 per cent of dollar sales, spirits for 27 per cent and wine for 21 per cent. By 2007, beer had dipped to 47 per cent and spirits had slipped to 25 per cent, while wine had captured 28 per cent of dollar sales.


As more people discover wine, there's been a "trading up" phenomenon, where people step up to higher quality wines as they grow more knowledgeable about the products, said Chris Layton of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.


This, in turn, tends to increase net sales, he said.


"I think all those factors are at play pretty much year after year," Layton said. "Just as the marketplace gets more sophisticated, people's knowledge of the products increase, so definitely I think that was in place back in 2007."


In the case of the LCBO, one of the world's largest purchasers of beverage alcohol, the retailer saw a more than 13 per cent increase in its fine wine and premium spirit sales from its Vintages products in fiscal 2007-08, while wine sales rose almost six per cent.


Wines priced between $15 and $20 had the greatest growth, up 19.3 per cent.


Tony Aspler, a Toronto-based wine writer for the past 30 years, agrees the figures reflect a growing sophistication in the Canadian consumer. He said part of wine's appeal is that it lends itself readily to be enjoyed as part of a social ritual.


"With wine, it's much more of a social engagement that you're sitting at tables, you're having food, you're talking, there's conversation and interchange, and I think wine sort of oils the wheels of social connections," said Aspler, co-author of "The Definitive Canadian Wine & Cheese Cookbook."


The introduction of new packaging, such as the move to Tetra Paks and plastic bottles, as well as easier to understand labelling has all helped to lessen the "intimidation factor," Aspler said.


"I think the pretense has gone out of wine," he said, adding that the presence of young, hip sommeliers in restaurants who are willing to explain wines without being snooty is making a difference as well.


As one of the principal investigators at the Consumer Perception and Cognition Laboratory at Brock University, Isabelle Lesschaeve is focusing her research on understanding consumer behaviour in terms of purchases, choices and preferences when it comes to wine.


Lesschaeve said they've read of similar trends in the U.S. with respect to the rise in market share for wine, and said the movement could be part of a generational shift.


"Maybe it reflects the fact that the wine consumer, the consumers who are really interested in wines, (who) are buying most of the wines are the baby boomers," said Lesschaeve, an associate professor with Brock's Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.


"And I guess over the last 10 years, this generation has increased in number and are able to purchase more wines and are definitely looking at premium wines as well."

In addition, she noted there is anecdotal evidence that some people are choosing red wine over white because of a perception that it may have some health benefits.

Overall, Canada's beer and liquor stores and agencies sold more than $18 billion worth of alcoholic beverages during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007. That accounts for an increase of 4.9 per cent more than the year before, and the fastest rate of growth in sales since 2003.

The agency says the rise in part reflects a 1.4 per cent increase in the population aged 15 and over as well as a 0.9 per cent average increase in alcoholic beverage prices.
 

CattleArmy

Well-known member
This post proves my post awhile back about those drinking Canadians. :wink:

Because of a friend I have recently started trying wines. It's fun to try new ones and sit socially with a glass of wine. I've never liked beer. :drink:
 

Shelly

Well-known member
Me neither! It just doesn't taste like anything! But then I'm not much of a wine drinker either. I'll have the odd glass every now and then, but it's a very odd glass. Now, if you were to put a pail of vodka paralyzers in front of me, look out!
 

Mrs.Greg

Well-known member
Shelly said:
Me neither! It just doesn't taste like anything! But then I'm not much of a wine drinker either. I'll have the odd glass every now and then, but it's a very odd glass. Now, if you were to put a pail of vodka paralyzers in front of me, look out!
Uhhh Huhhhh,now I know why I can't you here for a visit,I've been offering Mint Julips when your a Paralyzer gal. You visit,I'll make a pail of paralyzers,they won't be curdeled either :wink:
 

Shelly

Well-known member
Mrs.Greg said:
Shelly said:
Me neither! It just doesn't taste like anything! But then I'm not much of a wine drinker either. I'll have the odd glass every now and then, but it's a very odd glass. Now, if you were to put a pail of vodka paralyzers in front of me, look out!
Uhhh Huhhhh,now I know why I can't you here for a visit,I've been offering Mint Julips when your a Paralyzer gal. You visit,I'll make a pail of paralyzers,they won't be curdeled either :wink:

Nothing worse than getting one after you've ordered it, and having the milk curdle because it's not made right. I don't know why some people can't figure out to put the splash of coke in first, then the milk. And more milk than coke. Cream's even better!
 

codymccue

Well-known member
you paralyzer gals should try a "dirty mother" for a little change.

vodka or tequila/Kalua/milk or cream...

I'll stick with brown bottles...
 

gcreekrch

Well-known member
Now I'm not much of a drinkin' man for 2 reasons, I can't afford it and I don't like the after-effects.

But I do have my likes and dislikes.


#3; Imported Australian Yellow Tail red wine :)
#2; Crown Royal & water :)
Last but definately not least; Bella Coola 190 proof Homebrew :shock: :shock: :D
 

Kato

Well-known member
My first experience with wine was a bad one. :shock: :shock: Homemade wine that was about a half a step away from moonshine. Cured me of wine drinking for life. :roll: :D :D :D Which is not a bad thing. :wink:

My preference is beer. Kokanee and Rickard's Red are at the top of my list. Hubby likes Bud, but I don't really care for it.
 
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