Sparkling wine in Canada is proving to be more than just a trend. While the market in both the U.S. and Canada slowed slightly in 2023 and 2024, Canadian sales still remained strong—over 25% higher than pre-pandemic levels. That’s a clear sign that this bubbly favorite is here to stay.
Across the country, wineries continue to expand their sparkling wine production. The 2025 WineAlign National Wine Awards, recently held in Penticton, highlighted just how far the industry has come. These awards, which include a two-week rollout of winners in various categories, began by spotlighting the top sparkling wines from across Canada.
British Columbia stood out as a true leader. Almost half of the gold medals for wines scoring 91 points or more went to BC producers. A standout category was Blanc de Blanc, a white sparkling wine made entirely from white grapes. Some of these wines were aged up to five years, adding rich layers of flavor.
At the top of the BC winners list was the 2017 Township 7 Seven Stars Sirius, priced at $80. This wine ranked second nationwide and scored 91 points. The result is a major success for winemaker Mary McDermott, whose Seven Stars program is gaining a serious reputation beyond traditional Champagne standards.
Another highlight was the 2018 Brut Nature from Evolve Cellars, priced at $58. Ranked fourth in Canada, this crisp, dry sparkling wine will soon be joined by more releases. The winery plans to open a sparkling-only facility on the Naramata Bench this fall, further boosting its presence in the market.
More BC sparkling wines made the national top rankings, including:
- Tantalus Vineyards 2022 Blanc de Noir ($42) – 8th place
- Fort Berens 2022 Blanc de Blanc ($35) – 11th place
- Township 7 Seven Stars 2020 Rosé Nebula ($50) – 12th place
These entries show the geographic range of BC’s wine strength—from Kelowna to Langley and Lillooet.
A decade ago, BC’s sparkling wines were not on most radars. But that has changed quickly. With cooler climates, BC vineyards maintain the acidity needed for fresh and balanced sparkling wines—something traditional European regions are struggling with due to rising temperatures.
Two more wines that stood out were:
- Lightning Rock Winery 2022 Blanc de Noirs ($40) – 13th place
- Road 13 2019 Sparkling Chenin Blanc ($52) – 15th place
Road 13’s entry is especially unique, using Chenin Blanc vines planted as early as 1968—some of the oldest of their kind in Canada.
BC wines also took 16th, 18th and 21st positions:
- Laughing Stock 2020 Market Bubbles ($40) – new release
- Gray Monk 2022 Odyssey Rosé Brut ($32) – affordable and consistent
- Township 7 2021 Seven Stars Polaris ($40) – another winner from the Seven Stars line
These results prove that BC’s sparkling wine industry is not only growing but improving in quality and global appeal.
The WineAlign National Wine Awards are considered one of Canada’s most trusted wine competitions. This year, the sparkling wine category saw 98 entries from across the country. Earning a medal among such strong competition is no small feat.
As the industry looks ahead, BC’s bubbly wines are set to play a major role in Canada’s wine future.
