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Wine sales in Canada are rising six times faster than in the rest of the world, putting Canada on track to become the world's third largest wine importer behind China and the U.S. in the coming years, a global market research report has found.

But increasing imports are not the country's only source of vino, with local production and sales surging. Sales of spirits are also growing steadily.

The report, conducted by research firm IWSR for the wine and spirits industry group VINEXPO, does not track beer sales, although it appears an interesting dynamic is occurring: While the value of beer sales has continued to inch up in Canada, figures show that per capita consumption has been on the decline since the mid 1970s. In effect, Canadians are developing a more "cultured" palate.