C35 - Canada Flashcards
What is the general climate in Canada?
Continental throughout
What are the average annual temperatures in Canada?
Low
What are average daytime temperatures in July and August in Canada?
Very high
How are temperature extremes moderated in Canada?
By large lakes
Describe winters in Canada
Temperatures can drop far below zero for long periods
What are the long, freezing winters ideal for?
Icewine
How many DVAs are in Ontario?
Three
What is the most important of Ontario’s DVAs?
Niagara Peninsula
Where in Ontario is Niagara Peninsula?
On the south-western corner of Lake Ontario
What effect does Lake Ontario have on Niagara Peninsula?
It cools down and heats up more slowly than the surrounding land, extending the growing season in Autumn and delaying budburst in spring
What are the effects of the extended growing season and delayed budburst in Niagara Peninsula?
The extended growing season allows grapes to ripen fully| Delayed budburst helps to minimise frost damage
Other than temperature moderation, what is the other benefit which comes as a result of Lake Ontario in Niagara Peninsula?
Increased air flow helps to reduce fungal disease
What is the most successful grape variety in Niagara Peninsula?
Riesling
What styles does Riesling make in Niagara Peninsula?
Fresh, fruity, dry and off-dry whites| The finest Icewines
Other than Riesling, which other grape variety is common for Icewine?
Vidal
Describe the feature of Vidal
A hardy hybrid with little character as a dry wine but makes good Icewines (though without the acid structure or aromatic complexity of Riesling)
Other than Riesling and Vidal, which other variety is popular in Niagara Peninsula?
Chardonnay
Describe the style of Chardonnays made in Niagara Peninsula
Good qualityDryPure fruit and restrained oak
What are the black varieties most commonly grown in Niagara Peninsula?
Pinot NoirCabernet SauvignonMerlotCabernet Franc
Where in Canada is British Columbia?
The west coast
How many DVAs are in British Columbia?
Five
What is the most important of British Columbia’s DVAs?
Okanagan Valley
Describe the climate of Okanagan Valley
It lies in the rain shadow of two mountain ranges which are on either side of the valleyVery low annual average rainfallSemi-desert environment
Describe the main effect that latitude has on Okanagan’s growing season
Day length is very long during the growing season
What is the effect of longer days in Okanagan Valley?
This prolongs the time in which photosynthesis can take place, aiding grape ripening
What is the effect of large glacial lakes in Okanagan Valley?
They help to moderate temperature, extending the growing season
What does the extended growing season caused by proximity of lakes in Okanagan result in?
It enables successful ripening of grapes in the north, and black grapes in the south
What are the most widely planted grapes in Okanagan Valley?
MerlotPinot GrisPinot NoirChardonnay
Other than still, dry wines, what else is produced in Okanagan Valley?
Icewine from Riesling or Vidal
What is the appellation system of Canada?
Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA)
Which two provinces use the VQA scheme?
Ontario and British Columbia
How are Canada’s participating VQA provinces further broken down?
Into smaller Designated Viticultural Areas (DVAs)
How are DVAs further divided?
Into regional appellations, then sub-appellations
What are the main restrictions for VQAs?
Every VQA wine must be made 100% grapes that are grown in that provinceThey must be made 100% from V. vinifera varieties or selected hybrids
