Canada Flashcards
canada history
- Hybrids from early 1900, first planting of vinifera in 1950, no hybrids use in 1980 (high latitude and extreme temp were hard to produce wine)
- us canada trade deal opens market to american imports, and appellation system VQA starts
- during prohibition wine was exempt and wineries number increased, after that the monopolies were introduced
ontario and inland british columbia climate
extreme continental (summer 30, winter -20)
main moderating climate factor in canada
vineyards are planted near lakes
- during the winter reduce winter freeze
- in spring water heats up slowly delaying budburst
- retains summer warmth in august, extending growing season
- high level of humidity, risk of fungal diseases
- during winter lake moisture evaporates meeting cold air from the ambient creating snow; it will cover vines and protect them from cold air reducing winter freeze
main climatic problem in canada
- winter freeze, can be so strong to minimise snow cover on the vine
- climate change is reducing snow cover
- drought in inland regions of british columbia (rain shadow effect of two mountain ranges) and hotter vintages in ontario
canopy management techniques
- open canopy to reduce fungal and increase air flow
- vsp (also some geneva double curtain scott henry, lyre)
pests
mothes mealy bugs leafhoppers deer/bears usually are less of a concern and because of that there’s more organic agriculture
growing season and harvest
shorter (budbreak late in may and harvest in late august) harvest can continue till november for icewine rain and autumn frost are always a risk
most common system or irrigation
drip mainly where is needed (e.g. okanagan valley)
burying vines
- where is bitter cold they use fabrics draper on the vines (cost effective)
- snow
- put up soil onto the graft level
vidal
french hybrid
can stand harsh winters
high acidity
not as aromatic or acidic as riesling
slow ripening
thick skin
suitable for sweet late harvest/icewine
other varieties apart from vidal
bordeaux (cab franc, merlot, less cab sauv) chardonnay pinot noir gewurz riesling also syrah viognier, malbec
ontario vs british columbia climate
ontario - cold british columbia - hotter (in certain areas)
common practices in modern canadian winemaking
chaptalisation (cooler years)
ambient yeast
neutral vessels, reduced oak unfiltered wines
where is most icewine grown?
ontario
icewine harvesting
- harvested at -8
- by hand at night (problem with skilled workers), many doing machine to save cost
varieties for icewine
mostly vidal also riesling, cab franc, gewurz, chardonnay
icewine fermentation
stainless steel (retain aromas) stops naturally at 9-11% with 200-250 g/l residual
maturation icewine
stainless steel oak (extra flavour)
why icewine yields are low?
10% of a still wine harvest
- dehydration of the grapes
- damage or lost bunches because of adverse weather, rot and animals
icewine volume production
13% of canada production premium, ultra-premium prices