35 - Canada

Question 1

Canadian wine laws

Answer 1

• Canada’s appellation system is the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA)
• 2 provinces currently use the VQA scheme: Ontario & British Columbia
• each province is broken down into spaller Designated Viticultural Areas (DVAs)
• which are divided into regional appellations & then sub-appellations
• every VQA wine must use 100% grapes that are grown in that province
• they must be made 100% from V. vinifera varieties or selected hybrids

Question 2

VQA

Answer 2

Vintners Quality Alliance
(Canada)

Question 3

DVA

Answer 3

Designated Viticultural Area
(Canada)

Question 4

2 provinces currently use the VQA scheme

Answer 4

1. Ontario
2. British Columbia

Question 5

every VQA wine must use …
and be made from …

Answer 5

1. 100% grapes grown in that province
2. be made 100% from V. vinifera varieties or selected hybrids

Question 6

climate of Canadas wine regions

Answer 6

• harsh continental climate
• moderating influences from large bodies of water
  –> large lakes
• average annual temperatures are low
• average daytime temperatures in July & August are often very high
• winters are cold & temperatures may drop far below zero for long periods, creating suitable conditions for Icewine production

Question 7

wines of Canada

Answer 7

• produces some world-renowned Icewines, along with steadily growing volumes of dry wines, both white & red

Question 8

where is Ontario

Answer 8

• Canada
• below Hudson Bay, towards the Atlantic Ocean (east)

Question 9

1. number of DVAs in Ontario
2. most important DVA

Answer 9

1. 3
2. Niagara Peninsula

Question 10

Niagara Peninsula
1. where
2. climate & infl.

Answer 10

1. Ontario, Canada. South-western corner of Lake Ontario
2. climate & infl.
   - the lake cools down & heats up more slowly than the surrounding land
   - extends the growing season in the autumn allowing grapes to ripen fully
   - delays budburst in the spring, helping to minimise frost damage
   - air flow helps to reduce fungal disease.

Question 11

grapes & wines in Ontario

Answer 11

Riesling:
- fresh, fruity dry & off-dry whites
- the finest Icewines

Vidal:
- hybrid
- hardy
- little character when made into a dry white
-high-quality Icewines, although without the acid structure & aromatic complexity of those made from Riesling

Chardonnay
- good quality dry Chardonnays are also made
- generally with pure fruit & restrained oak

Black grape varieties
- some producers are making very high-quality wines from PN
- plantings of Cabernet Franc, CS & Merlot are increasing

Question 12

where is British Columbia

Answer 12

west coast of Canada

Question 13

1. number of DVAs in British Columbia
2. most important

Answer 13

1. 5
2. Okanagan Valley

Question 14

Okanagan Valley
1. where
2. climate & infl.

Answer 14

1. British Columbia, Canada
2. climate & infl.
   - lies in a rain shadow between 2 mountain ranges, which results in very low annual average rainfall & a semi-desert environment
   - day lengths throughout the growing season are extremely long due to the northern latitude, & this prolonges the time in which photosynthesis can take place, aiding grape ripening
   - large glacial lakes help to moderate temperatures & extend the growing season, enabling successful ripening of white grapes in the north & black grapes in the south

Question 15

grapes & wines in Okanagan Valley

Answer 15

• Merlot
• Pinot Gris
• PN
• Chardonnay
• Icewine is also produced here, usually from Riesling or Vidal