Canada Flashcards
Why is most of Canada unsuitable for viticulture?
Ontario;
British Columbia.
q
What are the climates of Ontario and British Columbia?
Both have an extreme continental climate.
Much like the Finger Lakes, Canadian vineyards are planted near _____.
Why?
Lakes;
The winter lake effect moderates temperatures, reducing the risk of deep winter freeze.
Why is drought problematic in the inland areas of British Columbia?
These inland areas are in a rain shadow of two mountain ranges.
Canada’s viticultural areas are between 41° and 51° N. What does this mean for the growing season?
Growing season is short BUT summers have longer daylight hours (sun rises at or before 5am and sets after 9pm).
Because grape growing areas around lakes are more humid which increases fungal disease pressure, what does that mean for canopy management?
Canopies must stay open for improved air flow to decrease the risk of fungal disease.
What three ways do Canadian grape growers use to protect their vines from harsh winter temperatures?
Bury the vines;
Use geotextiles (fabrics draped over the vines);
Soil up around the grafts.
Canadian Icewine regulation states that the grapes must be harvested at this temperature.
–8°C (18°F) or below.
Icewine fermentation usually stops naturally around ___% abv.
___g/L RS usually remains in the wine.
9-11% abv;
200-250g/L
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Most Icewine in Canada is made with this grape variety.
Vidal.
Which wine-producing Canadian province is larger and has more area under vine: Ontario or British Columbia?
Ontario.
Most of Ontario’s vineyards are planted on or near the shores of which two Great Lakes?
Lake Erie;
Lake Ontario.
What are the soils like in the immediate surroundings of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario?
Lots of limestone in the soil from ancient seabeds (some clay and sand the farther away from the lakes you go).
Which grape variety is the most planted in Ontario?
What is it typically made into?
Vidal;
Icewine.
The 3 most planted vitis vinifera grape varieties in Ontario are:
Riesling;
Chardonnay;
Cabernet Franc.
What are the three major appellations (VQAs) in Ontario?
Prince Edward County;
Niagara Peninsula;
Lake Erie North Shore.
What is the Niagara Escarpment?
A north-facing limestone bluff whose altitude is ~100m above Lake Ontario;
Several river valleys cut down from the escarpment to the lake, hence giving the area a variety of soils and microclimates (so different styles of wine).
How do Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment work in tandem to affect the immediate grape-growing area?
They work together to create warm airflow in the winter and cool airflow in the summer.
What are the two regional appellations within Niagara Peninsula?
Niagara Escarpment;
Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Why is the Niagara Escarpment the coolest grape-growing area of Niagara Peninsula?
It has elevation combined with the cooling lake breezes.
Why does Niagara-on-the-Lake make riper and fruitier wines than Niagara Escarpment?
Niagara-on-the-Lake is largely flat, slightly warmer, and its proximity to Lake Ontario means nights stay warmer and autumns stay warmer longer.
Lake Erie is the shallowest of all the Great Lakes.
What does this mean for its wintertime influence over its grape-growing vicinity?
Winter freeze is a greater problem in Lake Erie North Shore VQA because the lake loses its accumulated summer warmth faster.
Lake Erie North Shore is the ___est of all Ontario’s grape-growing areas.
How do its wines show compared to those from Niagara Peninsula?
Warmest;
Wines show more ripe fruit but have a bit less structure than those from Niagara Peninsula.
Prince Edward County VQA is on which Great Lake?
Lake Ontario.
Prince Edward County is the most northerly appellation in Ontario and routinely has winter freezes.
What makes it possible to ripen grapes at such a northerly latitude?
Vineyards are planted on a broad limestone plateau with a stony topsoil that stores heat during the day and radiates it at night, helping to ripen grapes in this very cool region;
Planting early-ripening varieties;
Long daylight hours in peak growing season;
Extended autumn warmth from Lake Ontario.
What are the two distinct grape-growing areas in British Columbia and what are their respective climates?
Cool, maritime climate for areas close to the Pacific Ocean;
Continental climate inland.
Which has a more northerly latitude: British Columbia or Ontario?
British Columbia
Name three things about British Columbia’s growing season.
Short;
But it has long sunlight hours during the growing season (fruit ripens well);
Has a large diurnal range (cool nights which help grapes retain acidity).
The most planted red grape in British Columbia is _____.
The most planted white grape in British Columbia is _____.
Red = Merlot
White = Pinot Gris
How do the climate and soils vary in Okanagan Valley?
Northern part is cool with loamy glacial deposits;
Southern part is arid and hot with sandier soils (irrigation essential here
What body of water helps moderate the cool, northerly area of northern Okanagan Valley?
Okanagan Lake.
What are the climate risks in Okanagan Valley?
Spring frosts;
Low rainfall in southern area.
Where are vineyards mostly planted in Okanagan Valley, and why?
Mid-level slopes to reduce frost risk;
300–600m asl provides diurnal rang
What are the grape varieties planted in the northern and southern areas of Okanagan Valley?
North = Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer (cooler climate varieties);
South = Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah (warmer climate varieties).
