27. Canada Flashcards by Shaun Walton

Why is the vast majority of Canada unsuitable for viticulture? (2)

1) High latitude
2) Extremes of temperature

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The vast majority of Canada’s wine production comes from which two provinces?

1) Ontario
2) British Columbia

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Most Canadian vineyards are planted next to what geological feature to moderate temperatures? What are the three benefits depending on season (3)

1) Near lakes
2) The lake effect reduces the risk of winter freeze
2b) In spring the water heats up slowly delaying budbreak usually until after the risk of spring frosts.
2c) It then retains summer warmth into the autumn, extending the growing season.

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What is a negative consequence of Canada’s vineyards being close to lakes?

The lakes cause higher levels of humidity, raising the risk of fungal disease.

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How are the vines naturally protected from the cold winter air?

The moisture from the lakes evaporates and meets the ambient cold air production precipitation in the form of snow offering cover to protect the vines and insulate them.

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At what latitude are Canada’s vineyards?

41° and 51° N

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Canada’s northerly latitude means what? (2)

1) It makes for a shorter growing season
2) Longer daylight hours in the summer compensate for this

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Why is VSP the most common form of vine training in Canadian vineyards near lakes?

Canopy management: the canopy needs to allow air flow to reduce the risk of fungal diseases

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What are the six main pests in Canada’s vineyards?

1) Moths
2) Mealy bugs
3) Leafhoppers
4) Birds
5) Deer
6) Bears

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Canada’s growing season can be as short as between what months?

May - budbreak
August - harvest

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Harvest can be between which months?

August - February (the following year) depending on style

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Where is drought a concern?

Okanagan Valley, BC

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In areas where the winters can be bitterly cold, such as Prince Edward County, how do producers protect their vines and what is a disadvantage of this practice?

1) Bury their vines
2) Time-consuming and labour intensive and therefore can significantly add to production costs.

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Some wineries are experimenting with what as an alternative to burying their vines in winter?

Geotextiles - fabrics draped over the vines to help protect against winter damage

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What other method of protecting the vines during winter is employed in Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys?

Hilling up soil around the graft

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What is Canada’s most important hybrid variety?

Vidal

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What three characteristics of Vidal make it suitable for viticulture in Canada?

1) High acidity
2) Slow ripening
3) Thick skins

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Even in warmer areas, Canada’s wines are characterised by high acid. Why? (2)

1) Cooler temperatures
2) Wide diurnal range

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Which province accounts for the majority of Canada’s icewine?

Ontario

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Production regulations state that icewine must be harvest at what temperature?

-8 celcius and below

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Some wineries harvest by hand, but many now machine harvest. Why?

Due to the difficulty of sourcing pickers to work at night in
very cold temperatures

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The very high levels of sugar in the must often mean that fermentation stops naturally at what ABV

9-11%

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How much residual sugar is typically left in icewine?

200–250 g/L

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Besides Riesling and Vidal what three other varieties are used to make icewine?

Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay.

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Icewine is typically fermented and matured in what vessel type and why?

Stainless steel to retain the aromas and flavours of the grape variety

Why are icewine yields so low? (2)

1) Due to the grapes dehydrating 2) Damaged or lost due to bad weather, rot and animals while waiting or temperatures to drop to –8°C (18°F) or below

What does VQA stand for?

Vintners Quality Alliance

VQA wines with a single variety stated on the label must contain at least what percent of that variety?

85%

Where two or more varieties are listed those varieties must make up at least what percent of the wine?

95%

A significant amount of wine bottled in Canada is still produced at least in part from imported must or wine. As of 2018, these wines must be labelled how?

International blend from imported and domestic wines

Wines that are made entirely from Canadian grapes but do not qualify for VQA status may state what on the label?

Product of Canada

Ontario’s vineyards are mainly planted on or near the shores of which two of the Great Lakes

Erie Ontario

Describe the soils of Ontario

Clay and sand The areas around the lakes have a high concentration of limestone from an ancient seabed

What are the three primary appellations of Ontario?

1) Niagara Peninsula 2) Lake Erie North Shore 3) Prince Edward County

Name a significant producer in Ontario?

Inniskillin

What is the largest appellation within Ontario?

Niagara Peninsula

What is the Niagara Escarpment?

A north-facing limestone bluff which rises to around 100 metres above the level of neighbouring Lake Ontario

What are Ontario's two most planted white vinifera varieties?

1) Chardonnay 2) Riesling

What four black vinifera varieties can be found in Ontario?

1) Cabernet Franc 2) Merlot 3) Pinot Noir 4) Gamay

Ontario is one of the deepest of the Great Lakes, meaning what?

It takes longer to warm up in the spring, and takes longer to cool down in the autumn

How do the lake and escarpment provide warming air flow in winter and cooling air flow in the summer, prolonging the growing season and reducing the risk of fungal disease and frosts? (4)

1) During the winter, the land away from the lake cools quickly. 2) Cold air above this land flows down the slope of the escarpment under the influence of gravity. 3) At the same time relatively warm air over the lake rises and flows inland. 4) As cold air flows down the escarpment, it is replaced by the warm air above.

What are the two regional appellations of Niagara Peninsula that fall within its overarching boundaries?

1) Niagara Escarpment 2) Niagara-on-the-Lake

Why is Niagara Escarpment appellation the coolest part of the Peninsula? (2)

1) Altitude 2) Cooling lake breezes

What area does the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation cover?

A large area of the relatively flat land along the shores of Lake Ontario, directly to the west of the Niagara River

Why is Niagara-on-the-Lake slightly warmer than Niagara Escarpment?

The proximity to the lake reduces the drop in night-time temperatures and means autumns stay warmer longer.

Niagara-on-the-Lake also produces the same varieties as Niagara Escarpment but in what style?

Slightly riper and fruitier

Why is winter freeze more of a concern in Lake Erie North Shore than in Niagara?

Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes and therefore warms up more quickly in spring but cools down more quickly in autumn than Lake Ontario

Where on Lake Ontario is the Niagara Peninsula?

South-west

Where on Lake Ontario is the Prince Edward County?

North-east

Is Lake Erie North Shore warmer or cooler than Niagara?

Warmer

What is Ontario's most northerly appellation?

Prince Edward County

What is a regular concern for viticulture in Prince Edward County and why?

Winter freeze Due to latitude

What aids ripening in Prince Edward County?

The vineyard area is situated on a broad limestone plateau with a stony topsoil that conducts heat and radiates it at night

On which side of Canada is Ontario?

East

On which side of Canada is British Columbia?

West

What two varieties are most common in Prince Edward County?

Pinot Noir Chardonnay

Are British Columbia’s vineyards north or south of Ontario's?

North (48°–51°) resulting in an even shorter growing season, but longer days resulting in warmer conditions and riper fruit

What is the most planted black grape in British Columbia?

Merlot

What is the most planted white grape in British Columbia?

Pinot Gris

Describe Pinot Noir grown in British Columbia compared with Ontario's

Riper and fruitier than Ontario with relatively high tannins

Describe Merlot grown in British Columbia compared with Ontario

Tends to be more full-bodied than that in Ontario, with higher tannin levels, higher alcohol and riper fruit flavours.

Name a significant producer in British Columbia

Le Vieux Pin

If named on the label, what per cent of the grapes must have come from that appellation of British Columbia?

95 per cent The remainder from elsewhere within British Columbia.

What are the two key appellations of British Columbia?

1) Okanagan Valley 2) Similkameen Valley

What moderates the hot summer and cold winter temperatures of Okanagan Valley?

A chain of lakes, most notably Okanagan Lake in the north (smaller than in Ontario)

How can the Okanagan Valley be splitand what are the corresponding soil types?

1) North - glacial deposits of various loam 2) South - desert-like sandy where irrigation is essential

What is the climate of Okanagan Valley?

Extreme continental climate with cold winters, risk of spring frost and very warm summers

What role other than moderating temperatures do BC's lakes play?

Irrigation due to low rainfall

At what altitude are Okanagan Valley vineyards planted and what role does it play?

1) Around 300–600m 2) Diurnal range - cool nights as very hot days

What five varieties are best suited to the northern end of the Okanagan Valley and on east-facing slopes that are shaded from the afternoon sun?

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer

What four varieties are best suited to the hotter southern end of the Okanagan Valley?

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and even Syrah

The climate of Similkameen Valley is similar to Okanagan, but why is it hotter? (2)

1) There aren't any lakes to moderate temperature 2) The mountains also trap heat in the valley later into the evening.

What are the four main varieties of Similkameen Valley?

Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay

What are the three western appellations strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean?

1) Vancouver Island 2) Gulf Islands 3) Fraser Valley

What is the climate of Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Fraser Valley?

Cool, maritime climate moderated by the Pacific Ocean.

What variety is best suited to Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Fraser Valley?

Early- ripening most notably Pinot Noir

Demand exceeds supply and Canada is still a large net importer of wine. Why?

Due to relatively low production and the inability to produce certain styles of wines (e.g. the full bodied, very ripe wines of lower latitude climates)

Where is most Candian wine consumed (excluding Icewine)?

Domestically (and within the province it's made)

Why is tourism and cellar door purchases very important for Canadian wineries?

Some provinces disallow direct to consumer shipping from Canadian wineries