Canada Flashcards
What was one of Canada’s most planted grapes by the 1970s? Who introduced this grape to Canada?
De Chaunac - French Hybrid
-Introduced by Adhemar de Chaunac after WWII
What other French hybrids did Adhemar de Chaunac introduce to Canada?
Baco Noir
Rosette
Maréchal Foch
When was the first Chardonnay introduced to Canada? Was this before USA or after?
- 1951 by Adhemar de Chaunac
- before Dr Konstantin Frank by a few years
When was prohibition in Canada and what happened after that continued to hurt the quality of Canadian wine scene?
- early 20th C - ended by 1929
- Moratorium on new winery licenses led to larger producers (Brights) swallowing smaller ones
- by 1974 only 6 wineries in country
What was the first estate winery in Canada? When was it founded and what was their accomplishment?
- Inniskillin
- in Niagara-on-the-Lake
- almost singlehandedly created international rep for Canadian icewine (not 1st tho- Okanagan)
What hybrid grape is used often and the only hybrid allowed in Canadian Icewine?
Vidal
Parents of Vidal?
Ugni Blanc x Rayon d’Or
What grapes did Inniskillin use for their top icewines?
Riesling and Cab Franc
What is VQA? When was it launched?
- Vintners Quality Alliance
- appellation and quality control system
- 1988
What are the two most important wine regions in Canada, in order
1 - Ontario
2 - British Columbia
What region launched VQA? When?
Ontario 1988
When did BC establish VQA?
1990
What are the only two wine regions in Canada to have VQA areas?
Ontario and BC
Between BC and Ontario, which had VQA standards legally enforced, and which has voluntary standards?
Ontario - legally enforced
BC - voluntary
Percentage required for labeled VQA BC or Ontario province
100% from that province
Percentage required for BC vs Ontario: appellation
BC
- 95% for appellation
Ontario
- 85% for appellation or region
- 100% for sub-appellation (in Niagara Peninsula)
Percentage for single vineyard in BC or Ontario?
100%
Percentage for vintage date BC or Ontario?
85%*
*except sparkling wine in Ontario
Percentage for Varietal wines BC/Ontario?
85%
Only certain varietals allowed
Can late harvest or icewine be chaptalized in NC/Ontario?
NO
What province is Canada’s largest producer? how many acres devoted to vinifera?
Ontario
15,000 acres devoted to vinifera
3 main appellations of Ontario?
-Lake Erie North Shore VQA
-Niagara Peninsula VQA
-Prince Edward County VQA
(SW to NE)
What is Canada’s southernmost point?
Pelee Island
What is Pelee Island?
- Canada’s Southernmost point and smallest wine area
- Was a 4th large appellation of Ontario until 2013
- Became sub-appellation of Lake Erie North Shore VQA in 2016
What latitude are Ontarios appellations between?
41-44
- Climate of Ontario
- Moderating influences
- cool continental
- moderated by lake effect of Great Lakes
Largest viticultural area of Ontario
Niagara Peninsula VQA
2 regional appellations of Niagara Peninsula
Niagara Escarpment
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Sub appellations of Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Niagara River (runs along the Eastern edge)
- Niagara Lakeshore (North along Lake Ontario)
- Four Mile Creek (Center, larger)
- St. David’s Bench (South)
Sub appellations of Niagara Escarpment (regional appellation)
-Beamsville Bench
-Twenty Mile Bench
-Short Hills Bench
(E-W)
Dominant grapes of Niagara Peninsula?
Riesling
Chardonnay
Cab Franc
Pinot Noir
Who pioneered Icewine in Ontario? Which appellation?
- Inniskillin
- Niagara Peninsula (Niagara River in Niagara-on-the-Lake)
When do wineries declare intent to make Icewine to VQA? When do they harvest and at what max temp?
- Declare intent in November
- harvest at night
- temp at least -8 degrees C
How much of Ontario’s exports does icewine account for? vs production?
- 50% exports
- <5% production
Most important grapes of Prince Edward County?
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
What is the Niagara Escarpment
-north-facing cliff formation dividing the Niagara Peninsula
Min Pressure and Sweetness levels for Sparkling wine from Ontario or BC
Traditional method - 3 bars (effervescent in Ont - 2-3)
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 Vin de Curé
dried grape wine - Canada
Min RS Ontario Icewine
Ontario Icewine has a minimum residual sugar level of 100 g/l. (125 g/l prior to 2014.)
When/where was first icewine in Canada made? By who?
- 1973 (before Inniskillin)
- Okanagan Valley
- Walter Hanlie
Which coast of Canada is BC?
Pacific (West)
5 VQA DVAs of BC?
- Vancouver Island
- Fraser Valley
- Similakameen Valley
- Gulf Islands
- Okanagan Valley
What is a DVA
Designated Viticultural Area in BC approved by VQA
What is the most developed wine region in BC
- Okanagan Valley
- 82% of province’s wine
Subregions of Okanagan Valley
Golden Mile GI (est. 2014)
Okanagan Falls GI (est 2018)
What parallel is Okanagan Valley on
49th
What mountain ranges is Okanagan Valley between
Cascades
Monashee Mountains
Climate and moderating bodies for Okanagan Valley
Continental - very warm summer, very cold winter
-moderated by Lake Okanagan
Main grapes Okanagan Valley
Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Gris Merlot Pinot Blanc
Where is the Tidal Bay appellation? What is the style of wine produced?
- Nova Scotia (Canada’s East Coast)
- white wines
BC, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec
Put west to east
BC, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia
Does Canada make the most icewine in the world?
Yes
Mission Hill is a famous winery in which DVA
Okanagan Valley
What is the most widely planted RED grape in British Columbia?
Ontario?
BC - Merlot
Ontario - Cab Franc
What is the minimum alcohol content allowed for Canadian icewine
7%
Where would you most likely find Cidre de glace in Canada?
Quebec
