Canada

Question 1

Canada General

Answer 1

Vitis Vinifera planted in 1970

Although good icewine can be fashioned from Vidal—the only French hybrid allowed for VQA icewine—Inniskillin produced its most noteworthy wines from European grapes like Riesling and Cabernet Franc.

In 1988, Canada signed a free trade agreement with the US, which required Canadian producers to refocus on quality in order to compete in their own domestic market and, when coupled with a government-sponsored vine-pull scheme, led to an even larger share in the vineyard for vinifera grapes. In the same year, an appellation and quality control system known as the Vintners’ Quality Alliance (VQA) was launched in Ontario.

British Columbia established its VQA standards in 1990. Ontario and British Columbia, respectively Canada’s first and second most important wine regions, are the only areas with VQA status today. VQA standards are legally enforced in Ontario but voluntary in British Columbia. Approved bottlings will always carry the stylized VQA logo.

Question 2

VQAs

Answer 2

Ontario

British Columbia

Labeling
100% of grapes grown in the respective province.

If labeled with a more precise appellation, British Columbia VQA wines must contain a minimum 95% of grapes grown in the stated appellation, whereas Ontario VQA wines require 85% for appellations and regional appellations, and 100% for sub-appellations (in Niagara Peninsula).

Question 3

Ontario

Answer 3

Canada’s largest producer region

Between 41 and 44 degrees latitude

The Niagara Peninsula is the largest viticultural area.
Divided in two: Niagara Escarpment and Niagara-on-the-Lake
Icewine (Inniskillin producer)

4 subregions
Niagara Peninsula
Lake Erie North Shore
Prince Edward County
Pelee Island (currently deregulated)