Tawse wines were awarded 32 medals in the recent competition held by Wine Access Magazine, setting a record with both their overall medal count and their nine gold medals. The Vineland winery also won nine silver medals and 14 bronze.

Canadian wine exports have increased steadily over the past few years - from $19 million in 2009, to close to $38 million in 2011. A large part of that bump in sales is due to the emergence of a vibrant Asian market, and its appetite for Canadian icewine.

The outlook for wine demand in Canada is strong and will likely continue with moderate growth. Winery output surged nearly 10 percent in 2011, to a record high.

The Niagara College Teaching Winery is in the spotlight this month after receiving an international wine award and recognition as one of the country's leading wineries

On Monday, the government said it would give the green light to three more privately-owned liquor stores - one in Regina and two in Saskatoon.

The use of new French oak, and sometimes barrels that have been deliberately charred, will impart coffee characteristics into red wine.

Northcore Technologies Inc., announced the successful delivery of the Dutch Auction platform for Alberta based BlackSquare Inc. and their flash sale site Tannic.ca.

"Combining Northcore's innovative auction software with our Tannic.ca flash sale site enables the kind of technical magic our clients expect from us as we continue to revolutionize the wine ecommerce industry."

Liquor retailers in Alberta are dismissing a report which says alcohol is cheaper in the government run stores of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

"Sophisticated consumers are willing to buy more premium wines, providing an opportunity to produce higher-value products."

Canada's wine industry, according to a report released Tuesday by BMO Economics, has grown 3.1 per cent on average since 2005 -- outpacing the country's overall economy.

BMO Economics forecasts wine sector will continue to outpace other alcohol sales

Ed Neuser passed away Wed., Oct. 24 in Toronto at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer, according to the Waupoos Estates Winery and Gazebo Restaurant.

Depending on their location, many producers reported loses between 20 to 100 percent of their perennial fruit crops, however sales of Ontario wines continue to grow and in 2012 topped $600 million.

British Columbia has a robust agricultural sector that generates $10.5 billion annually for the province, and Victoria intends to rev up that economic engine to $14 billion in the next five years.

The issue came to light earlier this week, when the branch told a Victoria theatre group it could not auction off donated wine at its annual fundraiser planned for this weekend.

LiveSmart BC program helps fund projects to generate power

The branch says groups cannot resell alcohol, and wines must be bought at a B.C. liquor store or approved vendor.

The Inter-Provincial Importation of Wine and Beer Act, among others, was left on the order paper when the Ontario Legislature prorogued last week.

The theatre company will lose as much as $30,000 because it was forced to cancel Sunday's Crush wine auction.