Canada Flashcards
Vitis vinifera vines in Canada were not planted on a commercial scale until the?
1970s
Which was the most planted grape in Canada until the 1970s?
De Chaunac, a red French hybrid developed by Albert Seibel but introduced to Canada after World War II by Adhemar de Chaunac, became one of Canada’s most planted varieties by the 1970s
Which are the wine regions of Canada?
Ontario
British Columbia
Nova Scotia
Quebec
Quality control system known as the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) was launched in Ontario when?
1988
Which was the first wine region of Canada?
British Columbia in 1990
Which are the only areas with VQA status today which can carry also the VQA logo?
Ontario and British Columbia
VQA wines from Ontario or British Columbia must be made from?
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)
Varietal wines from both regions must contain a minimum?
To be labeled with a single vineyard in either province
VQA standards set limits on
a minimum 85% of the stated variety
a VQA wine must solely contain grapes grown in the stated vineyard
chaptalization (it is not authorized for the production of late-harvest wines or icewine), acidification, must weights, and other technical aspects of winemaking
Which is Canada’s largest producer?
Ontario
Ontario is divided into three main appellations, or VQA Designated Viticultural Areas (DVAs):
the Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore, and Prince Edward County
The Niagara Peninsula is the largest viticultural area and is subdivided into two regional appellations:
Niagara Escarpment and Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Peninsula produces mainly?
cool climate varieties Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Gamay, and Pinot Noir are the dominant vinifera varieties in the Niagara Peninsula. Icewine, a German style first adopted in the Niagara Peninsula by Inniskillin, remains one of the most acclaimed wines of the region.
Icewine is harvested?
when temperatures reach at least -8 degrees Celsius
Prince Edward County produces?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Describe the climate of British Columbia
British Columbia’s vineyards are further north (48°–51°) than those of Ontario. As a result,
the growing season is shorter but, during the growing season, the days are longer. Inland
in particular, the long, hot summer days and cool nights create a wide diurnal range. This
produces grapes which develop ripe, fruit flavours whilst retaining high levels of acidity
British Columbia supports nine DVAs:
Fraser Valley, Gulf Islands, Kootenays, Lillooet, Okanagan Valley, Shuswap, Similkameen Valley, Thomson Valley, and Vancouver Island. The Okanagan Valley is one of the world’s most northerly wine regions
British Columbia produces?
Virtually equal amounts of red and white wine are produced
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Pinot Blanc enjoying significant acreage
85 per cent of British Columbia’s vine plantings are located in?
Okanagan Valley
Describe Ontario’s climate
All of Ontario’s appellations are located between 41 and 44 degrees latitude, where the cool continental climate is mitigated by the lake effect of the Great Lakes, although the effect dissipates quickly as one travels away from the coast.
Name some top producers from Ontario and some of the top wines
inniskillin (Gold Label Oak Aged Vidal Icewine)
Hidden Bench Vineyards
Tawse Winery
Peller Estated Niagara-on-the-lake (signature series oak aged vidal)
Thirty Bench
Cave Spring Vineyard. Cave Spring, which was established in 1975, is among the pioneering estates in Ontario, renowned for its benchmark Riesling
Foxcroft Vineyard (stony Chardonnays)
Twenty Mile Bench (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir)
Ontario’s soils?
The soils of Ontario’s Great Lakes Basin are derived from an ancient seabed, which has been exposed to millions of years of glacial activity. There is sand, clay, rock, and a high percentage of Dolomitic limestone
Which is the best terroir in Niagara Peninsula?
The Bench is most eloquently and elegantly expressed by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Ravine Vineyard Estate and Pearl Morissette are famous for?
Cabernet Franc
Name some top producers from Okanagan Valley
Mission Hill (red bordeaux blends mainly)
Foxtrot Vineyards (Pinot Noir)
Inniskillin (Vidal and Riesling)
Phantom Creek Estate (Rieslings by Olivier Humbrecht)
Tantalus Vineyards (has some of the area’s oldest Riesling vines, planted in 1978)
Martin’s Lane Simes Vineyard (Pinot Noir)
Laughin Stock Vineyards (bordeaux Blend)
Poplar Grove Winery (Cabernet Franc)
Which is the most planted grape in Okanagan?
Merlot followed by Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris from whites
Order the following appellations from smallest to largest
Niagara Peninsula, Escarpment and Lakeshore
Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Escarpement and then Peninsula
Cidre de glace is a specialty of which province?
Quebec
What is the minimum residual sugar level required for Canadian icewine?
100g/L
What is the minimum alcohol content allowed for Canadian icewine?
7%
What is the most widely planted white grape in Ontario?
Vidal
Niagara Escarpment is less susceptible to frost than the rest of the Niagara Peninsula.
True
What is the minimum Brix level required at harvest for “Special Select Late Harvest” wines in Ontario?
30
According to Wines of Canada, which region is considered to be the organic farming capital of the country?
Similkameen Valley
VQA sparkling wines must be vintage dated.
False
Gabriola and Saturna Island are unofficial sub-regions of which DVA?
Gulf Islands
The unofficial wine regions of Laurentides, Lanaudière, and Montérégie surround which major Canadian city?
Montreal
Where is Norman Hardie located?
Ontario
Where is Nichol Vineyard?
British Columbia
The Golden Mile is an official sub-appellation of which regional appellation?
Okanagan Valley
In Ontario, what percentage of grapes in a bottle labeled “Cellared in Canada” must be grown in Ontario?
30%
Tidal Bay is the only official appellation in which province?
Nova Scotia
In which month must a producer in Ontario declare their intent for icewine production?
November
Essex County is home to which DVA?
Lake Eire North Shore
