Canada Flashcards
When did winemaking come to Canada
early 1800’s but not on a commercial scale until the 1970’s when a moratorium on new wineries ended in 1974.
Who created the Canadian Icewine market
Inniskillin
When was the VQA launched in Ontario? BC?
1988 in Ontario, the same year Canada signed a free trade agrrement w/ the US forcing Canadian producers to refocus on quality and vinifera grapes in order to stay competitive in their home markets. 1990 in BC
Which Canadian Provinces have VQA status and how is it enforced
Ontario where it is legally enforced and British Columbia where it is voluntary
VQA
Vintner’s Quality Alliance, Canadian wine appellation system
VQA requirements for Province labeling
Grapes must be 100% from province
VQA appellation labeling requirements
BC: 95% of grapes from state appellation. Ontario: 85% for appellations and regional appellations, 100% for sub-appellations in Niagara Peninsula
VQA single vineyard labeling requirements
Ontario and BC: 100% from stated vineyard
VQA vintage dating requirements
Ontario: All wines except sparkling must be vintage dated, min 85% from stated vintage. BC no vintage dating requirement but those that are,min 85% from stated vintage
VQA varietal labeling requirements
Ontario and BC: min 85% of listed varietal. only certain varieties including hybrids are authorized
VQA chaptilization requirements
Not allowed for icewine or late harvest wines
Ice wine requirements
Must be made from V. Vinifera or Vidal Blanc (Hybrid). Grapes used for icewine must be naturally frozen on the vine, and harvested while temperatures are no higher than -8° C. Cryoextraction or other artificial concentration not allowed. Sweet Reserve (süssreserve) may be added at a max. 15%, provided it has the same minimum must weight as the icewine. Ontario: minimum residual sugar level of 100 g/l. (125 g/l prior to 2014.)
Ontario main viticultural areas
Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore, Prince Edward County
Lake Erie North Shore
Main Viticultural area of Ontario Along Lake Erie, the Detroit River, and Lake St. Clair. 1 sub-appelation: South Islands. Mostly red bordeaux varietals
South Islands
Sub-appellation of Lake Erie North Shore in Ontario. Includes 9 islands in Lake Erie including Pelee Island