What are the Most Popular Wine Regions?

This is a pretty large and open-ended question. Popular wines tend to vary by region and also by year. Popularity can also have as much to do with price point and availability as it does with flavour and quality. Asking your wine shop about their most popular wines can give you a good starting point if you’re looking to try something new, or if you want a reliably high-quality wine to serve at an event.

The top-selling wines from individual wineries change all the time -- that said, we consistently see specific regions in our “most popular” category.

British Columbia Wines

In BC, it only makes sense that BC wines would be at the top of the charts. In recent years, BC has established itself as an interesting locale for innovative and delicious wines. BC wines come from regions across the province, from Vancouver Island in the south, to the Thompson Valley and up to Prince George and northern BC, with each winery bringing a unique flavour and heritage to their wines.

In the past decade, the idea of supporting local top wineries has gained significant momentum, adding to BC consumer’s desire for local wines. Wine-savvy consumers are keen to discover new favourites from local wineries, and purchasing local wines also lets consumers feel good about supporting local, keeping the BC economy strong, and cutting down on carbon emissions related to international shipping. This was a trend even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and one that has been strengthened by it and seems to be carrying over into 2021 and beyond.

Select New Arrivals from BC:

Kutatas Pinot Gris ($34.90)

Checkmate 2015 Fool’s Mate Chardonnay ($92.90)

French Wines

French wines are also very popular with our consumers. France has a very established wine culture and a long history of winemaking, which lends to the high quality of many French varieties. The most popular wines from France include Vin de Pays, Côtes du Rhône, Bordeaux, and Sauvignon Blanc. Many French varieties are beloved favourites among wine connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike, and new varieties are also coming from this region as historic vineyards innovate to compete with so-called new world wines (like BC wines).

Because French wine is so established, it’s easy to find good wines at a variety of price points from this region. An experienced wineseller can direct you to a wine that will pair well with whatever you’re serving, and that fits into your budget.

Select New Arrivals from France:

Cave de Cairanne 2019 Cotes du Rhone "Pas de la Beaume" Blanc ($23.90)

Domaine Ott 2019 Chateau de Selle Rose ($77.90)

Italian Wines

Along with France, Italy is one of the top four largest wine producers in the world. Like the French, Italians have been perfecting their winemaking secrets for centuries, and there are currently hundreds of distinct Italian wine varieties, so consumers have plenty to choose from when it comes to Italian wines.

BC has a sizable Italian population with many second, third, and fourth generation Italians, so generational support for Italian wines is strong. Because Italian wines have been popular in BC for decades, many winesellers carry a robust selection of wines from Italian wine regions like Tuscany, Sicily, Veneto, and Piedmont.

Select New Arrivals from Italy:

Villa Marchesi 2018 Rosso ($17.89)

Elio Grasso 2017 Dolcetto D'Alba "Dei Grassi" ($46.90)

Of course, just because a wine is popular doesn’t always mean it’s going to be the best wine for you. The best way to discover your favourite new wine is to try a range of wines in different styles, from different wineries and regions.

We recommend getting to know the staff at your local wine store. We’ll be able to tell you what’s most popular at a given time or in your local area. At Marquis, we think of ourselves as advocates for you, the customer, rather than agents for the wineries. We want to provide our customers with the best wine and the best drinking experience for their tastes and budget.

Tell us about the kinds of wine you like to drink, and the kinds of pairings you tend to gravitate toward. Understanding your preferences will help us steer you toward the kind of wine that you want to drink -- be it our current bestseller, or something a little different.