Canada Flashcards
Who reached the province of Quebec in 1000 CE and established a winter camp?
Leif Eriksson and his crew
What was the first record of wine being made in Canada?
A missionary near Lake Huron noted making wine from wild grapes in 1623
When was the Pelee Island Wine and Vineyard Company established?
1888
What significant sparkling wine was produced by Pelee Island Wine and Vineyard Company in the 1890s?
L’Empéreur Champagne
When did commercial wine production begin in the Niagara region of Ontario?
1840s or 1850s
When did Canada’s modern history of winemaking begin?
Early 19th century
When were Vitis vinifera vines planted on a commercial scale in Canada?
1970s
What act was passed in Ontario in 1916 that affected alcohol production?
Ontario Temperance Act
What were the restrictions placed on wine production during the Ontario Temperance Act?
Wine could be purchased only at wineries and in minimum five-gallon volumes
What happened to various provinces’ temperance laws from 1920 to 1948?
They were repealed, establishing government-owned networks for alcohol sales
What major change occurred in Ontario’s wineries between 1916 and 1927?
Many wineries went out of business as customers returned to beer and spirits
What grape variety became popular in Canada during the 1950s and 1960s?
De Chaunac
Who introduced Chardonnay to Bright’s Winery in 1951?
Adhemar de Chaunac
What was significant about the year 1974 for Canadian wineries?
The moratorium ended, allowing smaller wineries to open
What was the first Canadian Ice Wine and when was it made?
Made by Walter Hainle in 1973 in British Columbia
What major trade agreement did Canada sign in 1988?
Free trade agreement with the US
What was established in Ontario in 1988 to assure wine quality?
VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance)
What was the significance of Inniskillin Vidal Icewine in 1989?
First Canadian wine to win a major wine award
What does the VQA label indicate in Ontario?
Vintners Quality Assurance
What is required for a wine to be labeled with a stated Province in Ontario?
100% of the grapes must grow from that Province
What is the minimum percentage of grapes required for a Stated Appellation in Ontario?
85%
What type of wine must contain at least 85% of the stated variety in Ontario?
Varietal wine
What must be true for Icewine production in Canada?
Grapes must be naturally frozen on the vine
What is the minimum residual sugar level for Ontario Icewine?
100 g/l
What is the main wine region in Canada?
Ontario Province
What types of wines are produced in Ontario?
- Icewine
- Botrytized Wine
- Late Harvest Wine
- Sparkling Wine
- Fortified Wine
What is the climate type of Ontario’s wine regions?
Cool Continental
What are the three main VQA Designated Viticultural Areas in Ontario?
- Niagara Peninsula
- Lake Erie North Shore
- Prince Edward County
What grape varieties are known for the Niagara Peninsula?
- Vidal
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Gamay
- Pinot Noir
What grape varieties dominate Lake Erie North Shore?
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Gewürtztraminer
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the minimum percentage of grapes required for ‘Wine of Nova Scotia’?
Min 85% grapes grown from the province
What is the required growing degree days for the Quebec wine region?
900 growing degree days
What is the primary grape used for Icewine production in Canada?
Vitis vinifera varieties or Vidal Blanc
What is prohibited in Icewine production?
Cryo-extraction or other means of artificial concentration
What is the location of Prince Edward County?
South of the city of Belleville, mostly a peninsula on the north shore of Lake Ontario
What major grapes are grown in Prince Edward County?
- Pinot Noir
- Gamay
- Chardonnay
What type of climate does Prince Edward County have?
Humid, Cool Continental
What is a common practice for vine protection in Prince Edward County?
Vines must be buried or protected by geotextiles
How far is Prince Edward County from Toronto?
About 2 hours away
What is the Okanagan Valley known for?
One of the most northerly wine growing regions, sits on the 49th parallel
What are the authorized wine categories in British Columbia?
- BC ‘Wine of Distinction’
- Table Wine
- Blanc de Noirs Wine
- Nouveau Wine
- Sparkling Wine
- Aromatic Sparkling Wine
- Traditional Method Sparkling Wine
- Fortified Wine
- Liqueur Wine
- Solera Wine
- BC ‘VQA’ Certified Wine
What is the minimum alcohol content for BC sparkling wines?
8.5%
What is the minimum must weight for Icewine?
32° (after pressing)
True or False: All sparkling wines in BC must contain a minimum of 3 bars of pressure.
True
What are the sweetness descriptors for sparkling wines in BC?
- Brut: max. 15 g/l
- Extra Dry: 15-25 g/l
- Dry: 25-35 g/l
- Semi-Dry: 35-50 g/l
- Sweet: min. 50 g/l
What is the climate of the Okanagan Valley?
Cool Continental, hotter summers than California’s coastal regions but colder winters
What is the most planted grape in the Okanagan Valley?
Merlot
Which province in Canada has a desert region?
British Columbia, specifically Osoyoos Arid Biotic Zone
What is the significance of the Fraser Valley GI?
Narrow diurnal temperature shift and relatively high precipitation compared to the rest of BC
What grapes are commonly grown in the Gulf Islands GI?
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Gris
- Chardonnay
- Gewurztraminer
- Ortega
What is the climate like in Quebec for wine production?
Extremely cold winters, with temperatures occasionally falling below -20°F
What is the most important grape variety in Nova Scotia?
L’Acadie Blanc
Fill in the blank: The most important grape in Tidal Bay wines is _______.
L’Acadie Blanc
What are the two important valleys in Nova Scotia?
- Annapolis Valley
- Gaspereau Valley
What is the typical growing season like in Nova Scotia?
Relatively short, with cold to cool winters, warm summers, and potential hurricanes
What is the common practice for grape blending among Quebec producers?
Tendency to blend hybrid varieties rather than produce varietal wines
