Predicting the year for spirits, wine and beer

While I can’t offer insight into what your love life, financial situation or employment status holds in the coming year, I do feel equipped to offer some modest predictions for 2026 when it comes to wine and drinks in the province.

So with that in mind, I’ve pushed aside the case of Baby Duck aging in my basement closet and pulled out the old crystal ball to gaze into the future for local wine, beer and spirits enthusiasts in the year to come…

Modest local growth

The boom days of local craft brewery openings are now about a decade in the past, but 2026 should see a small bit of growth — although not necessarily any new names and faces.

Two brewery tap rooms are slated to open in South Osborne — both facilities being built for existing, established brewers. In early 2025 Nonsuch Brewing Co. announced it was expanding beyond its facility at 125 Pacific Ave., opening a second facility at 551 Osborne St. Expect the doors to open in the first half of 2026.

Just up the street, work continues on Dastardly Villain Brewing Co.’s facility at 726 Osborne St. The contract brewer currently makes beer at Oxus Brewing Co. (1180 Sanford St.); the new nanobrewery space (think small) will occupy the location that formerly housed proprietor Scott Tackaberry’s Grape and Grain, a home-brewing equipment store that closed one year ago today. The crystal ball isn’t getting a clear read on when the “makers of beer-flavoured beer” might open in 2026.

(A somewhat related public service announcement: the tap room at Oxus Brewing Co. will be closed for renovations and maintenance until Jan. 21.)

Non-alcoholic options more than a trend

The rapid expansion of non-alcoholic bottle shop Sobr Market (now with three Winnipeg locations as well as shops in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia), coupled with studies that continue to show a drop in alcohol consumption, are clear signs the non-alcoholic/sober-curious movement isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Folks have changed how and what they’re drinking, if they’re drinking at all, and abstinence from booze now runs far beyond Sober October and Dry January.

Watch for more lounges, bars and eateries to introduce a wider range of non-alcoholic beers, mocktails and wines year-round. Could a full-fledged non-alcohol lounge be on the horizon? The crystal ball says it’s too soon to say.

Southern border to stay closed

After languishing in a warehouse for months, American wines and spirits made a return to Liquor Mart shelves, with proceeds going to local charities. The initial plan was to sell them until Dec. 24, but (as predicted in this space in early December) the selloff of on-hand products continues.

Given the rhetoric that persists (albeit not as loudly these days) from south of the border, expect elbows to remain up, meaning no new American products landing in our market anytime soon. Combined with continued boycotts in other provinces, it’s possible we could see further closures in the U.S., temporary or otherwise, of production facilities, similar to the one seen at Jim Beam’s Kentucky bourbon facility.

And while a handful of American spirits is now once again available at a retail level, they won’t be at this year’s Winnipeg Whisky Festival. The list of products being poured at the event, which takes place in March, is already on the festival website (winnipegwhiskyfestival.com), and for the second year in a row includes no American spirits. The festival has historically been an important show for bourbons and other American beverages; they’re usually among the most popular pours at the fest.

More B.C. wines with U.S. grapes

Peruse the Canada shelves at your local Liquor Mart or private wine store and you’ll likely find a handful of wines made in the Okanagan Valley, but with grapes coming from elsewhere. Two consecutive deep freezes in B.C. saw temporary exemptions made by regulators so wineries could source fruit from vineyards elsewhere, with producers purchasing grapes from Ontario, Washington State, California or Oregon to keep their business afloat until decimated vineyards could be re-planted and start producing fruit.

That exemption was extended by a year in 2025. Now, if you’re still sipping with elbows up, it’s worth remembering that the wines in question would have been made prior to the most recent U.S. election, and are meant as a stop-gap to keep B.C. wineries afloat until vineyards are back online (which is happening, albeit slowly).

King of reds to feature at wine fest

A fairly easy prediction here: based on the Winnipeg Wine Festival’s social media, which has been dropping some not-so-subtle hints, the theme of this fall’s fest will be Cabernet Sauvignon, taking over from the 2025 theme, sparkling wines.

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Wines of the week

Falasco 2024 Chacabuco Viognier (Mendoza, Argentina — $16.99, De Nardi Wines)

Pale gold in appearance, this Argentine Viognier brings big tropical fruit aromas (think mango) as well as spice and apricot notes.

It’s light-plus bodied and dry, with deep peach, mango and apricot flavours, a hint of spice, some modest acidity and, at 12.5 per cent alcohol, a modest-length finish. A solid, unoaked white wine for the price. 3.5/5

Rocca delle Macie 2021 Chianti Riserva (Tuscany, Italy — $18.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Deep ruby in appearance, this Tuscan red, made primarily of the Sangiovese grape, offers plum, raspberry, tobacco leaf, leather and vanilla notes aromatically.

It’s a dry, full-bodied red, with tart raspberry and cherry flavours coming with white pepper, herbal and woody notes, medium tannins and, at 13.5 per cent alcohol, a finish with a bit of a punch. A slightly rustic red that would work well with pasta in a red sauce. 3.5/5

Viña San Pedro 2022 “1865” Carmenère (Colchagua Valley, Chile — $22.99, Liquor Marts and beyond)

Inky cherry in appearance, this Carmenère offers aromas of eucalyptus, dark chocolate, cassis, blackberry and baking spice.

It’s full-bodied and dry, with heaps of blackberry, dark chocolate, plum, white pepper and vanilla (the latter thanks to 12 months in French and American oak barrels), medium tannins and, at 14 per cent alcohol, a long, warm finish. Drink now or set aside for 2-3 years. 4/5

 

winnipegfreepress.com/bensigurdson