Monthly Archives: March 2012

March 21 8-9pm PST: BC Wine Prices

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HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:

BC WINE PRICES

As you can see, we certainly do not dance around controversial issues on #BCWineChat.  Jumping right in with both feet this week to discuss pricing.  Are BC wine prices too high given the rest of the world market?  Are they justified due to production costs in our small industry?  If you purchase BC wines what price range do you search for if it is to be an everyday-drinking-wine?  A special occasion wine?  If you work in retail or at a BC restaurant what do you think about BC wine prices compared to the other wines you purchase?

It seems that each week on BCWineChat the discussion works its way around to pricing so why not have an entire hour to discuss it?

March 14 8-9pm PST: Does BC Do Pinot Noir Well?

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HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:

DOES BC DO PINOT NOIR WELL?

It’s a large topic but specific to one grape.  Pinot noir.  It is done all over the world…Burgundy, Champagne, California, Oregon, New Zealand and on and on.  But do we do a good job with it in British Columbia?

Open up a bottle of BC Pinot noir and snuggle up for a discussion about this Pinecone-shaped (=Pinot) grape variety. Everyone seems to have something to say about this grape so don’t just sit on the sidelines…or Sideways…get on the hashtag #BCWineChat and talk BC Pinot Noir!

March 7 8-9pm PST: No Such Thing As A Stupid BC Wine Question

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HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:

NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID BC WINE QUESTION 

Here in BC we don’t take our wine too seriously.  We have great, enthusiastic customers, well-informed retailers, not too snobby restauranteurs and diverse winery folk. Everyone has  questions for one another that we have never had the courage to ask.

If there is a BC Wine question that has gnawed at you for some time, this is the chat hour for you.    Maybe you have a question for a people who sell BC wines, or for those who make them.  Perhaps some winemakers might have questions for the retailers?  Maybe the wine shop owners want to ask the consumers a question or two.

February 29 8-9pm PST: Your BC Wine Epiphany Moment

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HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:

YOUR BC WINE EPIPHANY MOMENT

What was your BC wine epiphany moment?  Was there a BC wine that you enjoyed that helped you realize the great quality of wines out there?  Was there a place, a person, a restaurant, a wine store, a touring experience that introduced you to BC wines?  Or perhaps a time when you said to yourself, “I’m really surprised by how much I love this wine” or “I knew they could make white wines, but reds?”

Share with BCWineChat your epiphany moment(s) with BC wine.  It’s time to celebrate your love affair with some home grown goodness.

February 15 8-9pm PST: Ways to Boost Winery Tourism–Part Deux

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HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:

WAYS TO BOOST WINERY TOURISM–PART DEUX

Because one week of this topic was just not enough…many good ideas thrown out there, how many are achievable?  What organizations or cooperative organizations are not already set up to implement some of these ideas?  If you missed it, or if you want a reminder, read the “Ways to Boost Winery Tourisim in BC–Part Une” on the “Previous Chats” section of the website to replay Part Une.

Set an alarm on your smart phone for 8pm Wednesdays.  Be a part of the conversation.  You never know when something will be suggested that eventually turns into a beautiful reality.

February 22 8-9pm PST: What will the BC Wine Industry Look Like in 2017?

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HERE’S HOW THE CHAT WENT:

WHAT WILL THE BC WINE INDUSTRY LOOK LIKE IN 2017?

Here’s a quick look back at the BC wine industry in the past few years: (most data courtesy the BC Wine Institute–thank you!)

  • There are 196 winery licenses in BC right now.  Five years ago that number was 134.
  •  In 2008 there were 9,100 acres of vineyards and only 4 years before that there was only 5,462acres. Today there are 710 vineyards (both winery owned and independent growers)
  • Per capita consumption of wine in BC is 15.9 liters per annum (average for Canada is 13.1 liters) with British Columbians drinking 49% white v 51% red wines (via Statistics Canada)
  • In 2010 BC VQA wines sold for an average of $17.54 per bottle whereas five years before in 2005 the average price was $15.47
  • The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch of BC website says they are not accepting applications at this time for new licensee liquor stores or for off-site retail wine stores.

Where will we be in 5 years?  Will we see our industry contract, gradually expand or boom?  Will British Columbians still be paying the prices they are for BC wines or will they look elsewhere for better value?  Will there be more or less wine shops in BC?  This is one hour of imagination–where will our industry be 5 years from now?