Production at Canada’s wineries has grown at more than 7% since 1998.

A report from the Bank of Montreal’s capital markets says the output is outstripping the overall beverage sector, which grew at an annual rate of 1%.

Beer is still the alcoholic drink of choice among Canadians, but more and more people are switching to wine.

A senior BMO economist says the growth reflects a shift to better-quality grapes and the creation of the Vintners Quality Alliance standard.