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
Pelle Island
One of 9 islands included in the South Islands sub-appellation of Lake Erie North Shore. Canada’s southernmost point situated several miles off the shoreline of Lake Erie. Formally it’s own viticultural area until 2013 when it was deregulated and incorporated into the South Islands in 2016
Prince Edward County
Main vitivultural area of Ontario on Lake Ontario. no sub-appellations. PN, Gamay, Chard
Niagara Peninsula
Main viticultural are of Ontario and the countries most important wine region. On the South shore of Lake Ontario near Niagara Falls. Encompasses 2 regional appellations: Niagara Escarpment and Niagara-On-The-Lake and 3 sub-appellations surrounding Niagara Escarpment: Vinemount Ridge, Creek Shores, Lincoln Lakeshore. Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Vinemount Ridge
Sub-appellation of main viticultural area Niagara Peninsula in Ontario
Creek Shores
Sub-appellation of main viticultural area Niagara Peninsula in Ontario
Lincoln Lakeshore
Sub-appellation of main viticultural area Niagara Peninsula in Ontario
Niagara Escarpment
Regional appellation w/in the main Niagara Peninsula viticultural area. 3 subappellations: Beamsville Bench, Twenty Mile Bench, Short Hills Bench
Niagara-on-the-lake
Regional appellation w/in the main Niagara Peninsula viticultural area. 4 sub-appellation: St David’s Bench, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Lakeshores, Niagara Rivers
Niagara Peninsula producers
Cave Spring, Flat Rock Cellars, Thirty Bench, Pillitteri, Inniskillin
British Columbia VQA DVAs
Designated Viticultural areas, currently 10
Fraser Valley
Britich Columbia DVA just outside of Vancouver along the Fraser River
Gulf Islands
British Columbia DVA covering the islands near Vancouver Island
Kootenays
British Columbia DVA as of 2018
Lillooet
British Columbia DVA as of 2018
Okanagan Valley
British Columbia DVA, most import wine region of the province along the Okanagan River and Lake. 4 sub-appellations: Goldon Mile, Okanagan Falls (2018), Naramata Bench (2018), Skaha Bench (2018). Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Pinot Blanc
Golden Mile
Sub-appellation of Okanagan Valley in British Columbia
Okanagan Falls
Sub-appellation of Okanagan Valley in British Columbia as of 2018
Skaha Bench
Sub-appellation of Okanagan Valley in British Columbia as of 2019
Naramata Bench
Sub-appellation of Okanagan Valley in British Columbia as of 2019
Besides Ontario and British Columbia, where else inwine grown in Canada
Nova Scotia and Quebec although no VQA exists in these provinces
