35 - Canada

Question 1

What is the climate of Canada’s wine regions?

Answer 1

harsh and continental. average annual temps are low but average daytime temps in July and August are high.
Large lakes can moderate temperature extremes.
Winters are very cold and can drop below zero for long periods -> suitable for icewine

Question 2

What is Canada’s appellation system?

Answer 2

Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) - Ontario and British Columbia use the VQA scheme.

Each province is broken down into smaller Designate Viticultural Areas (DVAs) - these are then divided into appellations and sub-appellations.
must be made 100% from v.vinifera or selected hybrids.

Question 3

Which is the most important DVA of Ontario? What are climate influences here?

Answer 3

Niagara Peninsula (south-western corner of Ontario). 
The lake cools down and heats up more slowly than the surrounding land, which extends the growing season in the autumn ->grapes can ripen more fully.

Question 4

What are the main grapes grown in Ontario?

Answer 4

Riesling (fresh, fruity dry and off-dry whites and finest Icewines)

Vidal also used for Icewine - this is a hardy grape but lacks character when made into dry wine. However it is capable making high quality Icewine though lacking aromatic of Riesling.

Question 5

Which is the most important DVA of British Columbia? Where is it located and what is the resulting climate?

Answer 5

Okanagan Valley
lies in rain shadow between two mountain ranges ->very low average rainfall. semi-desert environment.
Day lengths during growing season are very long which aids grape ripening.

Large glacial lakes - help moderate temps and extend the growing season.

Question 6

What are the most widely planted varieties of British Columbia?

Answer 6

Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Icewine also produced, usually from Riesling or Vidal