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
icewine laws
owned trademark by canadian vintners association and incorporated into vqa system
- grapes must be naturally frozen
- all grapes must be grown in the region of canada
- minimum sugar levels prescribed
- concentration or addition of sugars are prohibited
vqa laws
- made exclusively in the province (ontario, british columbia)
- 100% from vinifera or certified hybrids
- minimum must weight, chaptalisation limits
- wines are checked and tested through sensory evalation and lab tests
- if single varietal 85% of the state variety, 95% of the stated blend if more than 1 varietal
- if wine or must are imported label has “international blend from imported and domestic wines”
- if a canadian wine doesnt pass vqa test can belabeled as product of canada
canada largest appellation
ontario
where are vineyards planted in ontario?
near the Great Lakes (Ontario, Erie), outside that area vinifera cannot survive the cold
soils in ontario
- next to the lakes, limestone from seabed from glacial activity
- general clay, sand, gravel and rocks
main grapes of ontario
vidal - biggest icewine production riesling - from dry to sweet chardonnay - can show tropical fruits even if its cold cab franc - most planted black, oaked or icewine merlot pinot noir gamay noir
primary ontario appellations
niagara peninsula
lake erie
price edward county
largest wine producer in ontario
niagara peninsula
niagara peninsula location
large area from shore of lake ontario till niagara escarpment
niagara peninsula vineyards location
slopes niagara escarpment (limestone buff)
influences of niagara peninsula
lake ontario - deepest lake, takes longer to warm up in spring, longer to cool down in autumn escarpement - aid air circulation as cold air runs down it, meeting warm air from lakes, also protects from cold west winds reduce fungal diseases and frost more continental inland
appellation and rules of niagara peninsula
appellations - niagara escarpment and niagara on the lake (85% from stated subzone) sub-appellation (100% from area)
niagara escarpment (climate and grapes)
northern slopes of the escarpment (altitude + cooling from lakes = coller area) chardonnay, pinot noir, also cab franc and riesling
niagara on the lake (climate and grapes)
large flatter area along lake ontario’s shores, west to niagara river warmer with lake influence chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir, cab franc more suited to bordeaux red blends
lake erie north shore (climate and grapes)
gentle slopes ear lake erie and small islands (pelee) southwest of the country so is warmest area completely surrounded by water (moderating influence)
lake erie is a shallow lake (warms up quick but also cools down quickly so winter freeze is a problem)
merlot, cab franc, cab sauv
prince edward county (climate - grapes)
northernly appellation, surrounded by water, winter winds winter freeze common (cover or bury vines) broad limestone plateau with rocky topsoil (heat storing + radiates back) chardonnay pinot noir
2 main areas of british columbia
- close to pacific coast, maritime
- inland, sheltered by mountains (oakanagan)
british columbia climate
northern than ontario, shorter season but longer days high diurnal range, always ripe flavours with high acidity
varieties in british columbia
vidal (icewine) only hybrid remained merlot - most planted red, always full body style pinot noir - high tannins, fruitier cabernet sauvignon pinot gris - most planted white, both full body or italian style chardonnay
british columbia most famous producers
mission hill le vieux pin
VQA british columbia general laws
if appellation is on label 95% from state appellation
okanagan valley climate and influences
85% of plantings in british columbia, 250 km long so different climates
extreme continental (not cold to bury vines tho) chain of lakes (deep lakes so effect is smaller) provide water for irrigation
300/400mm rainfall dry region - less pests and diseases - spring frost common (mid-slope plantings)
altitude 300-600mt
okanagan soils
glacial deposits, loams with sand in the south irrigation is essential
okanagan valley varieties
pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay, gewurz souther areas merlot, cab franc, cab sauvignon, syrah
similkameen valley climate and varieties
rugged rocky valley similkamen valley influence high mountains funnes hot winds no lake influences altitude 400-500 (only moderating influence) merlot, pinot noir, cab sauv, chardonnay
coastal regions of british columbia climate and varieties
vancouver island, gulf island, frase valley
cool maritime
pacific ocean moderating effect (no winter freeze) summer cool and wet (fungal) and damp
pinot noir
canada domestic consumption
apart from icewine mostly domestic low production, beer sales are not higher demands exceed supply
main export markets of canada
china usa south korea hong kong japan
who makes wine in canada
mostly estates - they own grapes, they can buy some from growers most growers are now producers all small productions
who controls alcohol sales and distribution
provincial liquid boards LCBO (liquid control board of ontario) SAQ (societe des alcools du quebec)
liquid boards effect on canadian wine market
- wine is consumed only within privince (shipping is illegal or higly complex)
- only some provinces can sell direct to consumer
- because of those 2 things wine tourism is high
