Canada

Question 1

Why is most of Canada unsuitable for viticulture?

Answer 1

Ontario;
British Columbia.

Question 2

q
What are the climates of Ontario and British Columbia?

Answer 2

Both have an extreme continental climate.

Question 3

Much like the Finger Lakes, Canadian vineyards are planted near _____.

Why?

Answer 3

Lakes;

The winter lake effect moderates temperatures, reducing the risk of deep winter freeze.

Question 4

Why is drought problematic in the inland areas of British Columbia?

Answer 4

These inland areas are in a rain shadow of two mountain ranges.

Question 5

Canada’s viticultural areas are between 41° and 51° N. What does this mean for the growing season?

Answer 5

Growing season is short BUT summers have longer daylight hours (sun rises at or before 5am and sets after 9pm).

Question 6

Because grape growing areas around lakes are more humid which increases fungal disease pressure, what does that mean for canopy management?

Answer 6

Canopies must stay open for improved air flow to decrease the risk of fungal disease.

Question 7

What three ways do Canadian grape growers use to protect their vines from harsh winter temperatures?

Answer 7

Bury the vines;
Use geotextiles (fabrics draped over the vines);
Soil up around the grafts.

Question 8

Canadian Icewine regulation states that the grapes must be harvested at this temperature.

Answer 8

–8°C (18°F) or below.

Question 9

Icewine fermentation usually stops naturally around ___% abv.
___g/L RS usually remains in the wine.

Answer 9

9-11% abv;
200-250g/L

Question 10

q
Most Icewine in Canada is made with this grape variety.

Answer 10

Vidal.

Question 11

Which wine-producing Canadian province is larger and has more area under vine: Ontario or British Columbia?

Answer 11

Ontario.

Question 12

Most of Ontario’s vineyards are planted on or near the shores of which two Great Lakes?

Answer 12

Lake Erie;
Lake Ontario.

Question 13

What are the soils like in the immediate surroundings of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario?

Answer 13

Lots of limestone in the soil from ancient seabeds (some clay and sand the farther away from the lakes you go).

Question 14

Which grape variety is the most planted in Ontario?
What is it typically made into?

Answer 14

Vidal;
Icewine.

Question 15

The 3 most planted vitis vinifera grape varieties in Ontario are:

Answer 15

Riesling;
Chardonnay;
Cabernet Franc.

Question 16

What are the three major appellations (VQAs) in Ontario?

Answer 16

Prince Edward County;
Niagara Peninsula;
Lake Erie North Shore.

Question 17

What is the Niagara Escarpment?

Answer 17

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).

Question 18

How do Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment work in tandem to affect the immediate grape-growing area?

Answer 18

They work together to create warm airflow in the winter and cool airflow in the summer.

Question 19

What are the two regional appellations within Niagara Peninsula?

Answer 19

Niagara Escarpment;
Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Question 20

Why is the Niagara Escarpment the coolest grape-growing area of Niagara Peninsula?

Answer 20

It has elevation combined with the cooling lake breezes.

Question 21

Why does Niagara-on-the-Lake make riper and fruitier wines than Niagara Escarpment?

Answer 21

Niagara-on-the-Lake is largely flat, slightly warmer, and its proximity to Lake Ontario means nights stay warmer and autumns stay warmer longer.

Question 22

Lake Erie is the shallowest of all the Great Lakes.

What does this mean for its wintertime influence over its grape-growing vicinity?

Answer 22

Winter freeze is a greater problem in Lake Erie North Shore VQA because the lake loses its accumulated summer warmth faster.

Question 23

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?

Answer 23

Warmest;
Wines show more ripe fruit but have a bit less structure than those from Niagara Peninsula.

Question 24

Prince Edward County VQA is on which Great Lake?

Answer 24

Lake Ontario.

Question 25

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?

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

What are the two distinct grape-growing areas in British Columbia and what are their respective climates?

Answer 26

Cool, maritime climate for areas close to the Pacific Ocean;
Continental climate inland.

Question 27

Which has a more northerly latitude: British Columbia or Ontario?

Answer 27

British Columbia

Question 28

Name three things about British Columbia’s growing season.

Answer 28

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).

Question 29

The most planted red grape in British Columbia is _____.
The most planted white grape in British Columbia is _____.

Answer 29

Red = Merlot
White = Pinot Gris

Question 30

How do the climate and soils vary in Okanagan Valley?

Answer 30

Northern part is cool with loamy glacial deposits;
Southern part is arid and hot with sandier soils (irrigation essential here

Question 31

What body of water helps moderate the cool, northerly area of northern Okanagan Valley?

Answer 31

Okanagan Lake.

Question 32

What are the climate risks in Okanagan Valley?

Answer 32

Spring frosts;
Low rainfall in southern area.

Question 33

Where are vineyards mostly planted in Okanagan Valley, and why?

Answer 33

Mid-level slopes to reduce frost risk;
300–600m asl provides diurnal rang

Question 34

What are the grape varieties planted in the northern and southern areas of Okanagan Valley?

Answer 34

North = Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer (cooler climate varieties);
South = Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah (warmer climate varieties).