Great grapes!

Summer is right around the corner and once again the forecast it is looking like merlot, pinot and chardonnay.

2016 is on track to be another notable wine year, just like 2015, which was recognized for not only producing a stunning vintage, but also producing a lot more wine.

This expected increased crop will help quench a growing thirst for British Columbia wines, both nationally and internationally.

"Over the past year, BC VQA Wine sales have increased by nearly 12 per cent in the province, which demonstrates the consumer's continued support of the category and thirst for locally grown and produced 100 per cent BC VQA Wines,” says BC Wine Institute President/CEO Miles Prodan.

The 2015 British Columbia Wine Grape Crop Report was released this week, and it shows an increase of one per cent (from 31,383 to 31,640 tons) over 2013 in total estimated tonnage.

While this may not seem significant, the BC Wine Institute notes that current tonnage reflects a balanced industry with sufficient supply for our important local market, as well as growing international markets.

Prior to 2013, the industry experienced several short crops before the crop levels finally increased.

Despite not having a large change in overall estimated tonnage, there was a big difference between the total estimated tons of red and white varieties harvested.

The total white estimated tonnage went up 10.5 per cent, while the red estimated tonnage went down 8.5 per cent.

The major contributors to this change were significant swings in estimated tonnages of pinot gris (up 23 per cent), sauvignon blanc (up 18 per cent), riesling (up 27 per cent) and merlot (down 19 per cent).

Manfred Freese of the BC Grapegrowers' Association says that the substantial increases in pinot gris and riesling are in line with industry expectations based on the increased acreage in Kelowna and Lake Country.

He also explains that frost damage was likely the main culprit behind the decrease in red tonnage.

Merlot in particular was hit hard in parts of the valley and there was also a slight decrease in merlot acreage, dropping two per cent from 2011 to 2014.

Although there may be a little less red to go around this year, the quality of the entire 2015 vintage is exceptional.

“With the whites currently hitting the shelves to rave reviews, we can be thankful that, with the early arrival of summer, there will be a few more vibrant BC VQA white wines to enjoy this season,” adds the BCWI.