Ch. 27 – Canada Flashcards
Climate in Canada
Extreme continental climate
Most vineyards are near to lakes to moderate temps
- later bud break
- lake effect lessens risk of winter freeze
- retention of warmth into autumn
- snow protects from winter freeze
Higher level of humidity
- fungal disease pressure
Drought is regular concern (mainly British Columbia)
Latitude results in shorter growing season but longer hours of sunshine
Vineyard management in Canada
Very advanced
Canopy management is crucial due to humidity
- VSP most common
- some experiments with Lyre, Scott Henry
Main pests are bugs, birds, and animals
- moths, mealy bugs, leafhoppers
Significant vintage variation
- due to unpredictable weather in autumn
Burying wines over winter, geotextiles over vines, hilling up
Grape varieties in Canada
Still significant number of hybrids used
- Vidal (high acidity, slow ripening and thick skin)
- tropical fruit flavours in icewine (peach, mango)
Bordeaux varieties (mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc)
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Aromatic white varieties
- Riesling
- Pinot Gris
- Gewurztraminer
All characterized by relatively high acidity
General winemaking trends in Canada
Attempts to reduce intervention
- ambient yeast, not filtering
- more moderate use of new oak
Chaptalization is sometimes practised
Icewine in Canada
Must be harvested at 18F or below
Machine harvesting common
Ferment usually stops at 9-11% abv leaving around 200-250 g/l RS
Stone and tropical fruit aromas: Peach, mango
Riesling, Vidal, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay
Usually fermented and stored in steel
- new oak is sometimes used for maturation
Very low yields due to weather, disease, birds/animals, and shriveling
Legal requirements for Icewine in Canada
Legally protected term
Only from grapes which are naturally frozen
All grapes grown in Canada
From Vinifera or Vidal
Minimum sugar level
Artificial concentration or addition of sugar is prohibited
VQA regulations in Canada
Wines must be exclusively from grapes grown in the province stated
100% Vinifera or certain permitted hybrids
Standards for growing and wine production
- e.g. minimum must weights and chaptalization limits
Wines are tested by panel and lab analysis
Single varietal wines must contain at least 85% of that variety
If wine does not meet VQA requirements it is labeled ‘Product of Canada’
International Canadian Blend labelling
made from imported must or wine
‘International blend from imported and domestic wines’
Wine regions in province of Ontario
Niagara Peninsula
- Niagara Escarpment
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
Lake Erie North Shore
Prince Edward County
Wine regions in province of British Columbia
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen Valley
Vancouver Island
Gulf Islands
Fraiser Valley
Province of Ontario
similar latitude to Bordeaux
Vineyards neer to Lake Erie and Ontario which moderate the extreme climate
- Long sunshine hours = ripe fruit flavors
- Cooling influence of lakes = high acidity
90% of Canadian Icewine
Roughly equal plantings of whites and reds:
- Vidal, Riesling, Chardonnay
- Cab Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Gamay
85% of grapes must come from the named appellation and the rest can come from elsewhere in Ontario
Niagara Peninsula
Largest producing region in Ontario (80%)
Wide variety of soils and microclimates
- wide range of styles
Most vineyards on the benches part way up the escarpment, and slopes above
- others are on the plain next to the lake, and some are above the escarpment
Lake Ontario is very deep and moderates temperature
- lake + escarpment facilitate airflow
- cold air flows down slopes toward lake
- warm air above lake replaces it
- reduces risk of frost and fungal disease
- also provides cooling airflow in summer
2 regional appellations
- Niagara Escarpment
- Niagara-on-the-Lake
- 85% of grapes must come from the sub-appellation, with remainder from anywhere in Niagara Peninsula
Niagara Escarpment
Benches and northern slopes of escarpment
- north-facing limestone bluff (rises to ~100m)
Altitude and cooling lake breezes make it the coolest part of Peninsula
- high level of acidity
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (some Cab Franc and Riesling)
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Relatively flat land by lake
- slightly warmer than Escarpment
Proximity to lake reduces the drop in night time temperatures and keeps autumns warm longer
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cab Franc
- slightly riper than Escarpment
- Better suited to Bordeaux style red blends
Lake Erie North Shore
Almost completely surrounded by water
- Includes a number of islands
Shallowest of Great lakes (temp changes more quickly)
- winter freeze is more of a concern here than in Niagara
Warmest vineyard area in Ontario
- Merlot, Cab Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
- more ripe but less structure than Niagara
Prince Edward County
Ontario’s most northerly appellation
Almost entirely surrounded by water
- exposed to winter winds from Lake Ontario
- winter freeze is a regular concern (burying or covering vines)
limestone plateau with stony topsoil which radiates heat at night
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- extremely high acidity
British Columbia
Cool maritime climate near coast
Continental Okanagan Valley
Further north than Ontario
- shorter growing season but days are longer
- wide diurnal range
- ripe fruit flavors and high acidity
1980’s vine pull scheme targeting hybrids
Roughly equal amounts of red and white
- Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon
- riper, with higher tannins than Ontario
- Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
If an appellation is stated, 95% of grapes must come from the appellation, the rest from elsewhere in British Columbia
Okanagan Valley
Climate, topography, soils, and hazards
Wide range of climates (cool north, hot desert in south)
Irrigation is essential (free draining soils)
Chain of lakes (smaller than Great Lakes)
- deep Okanagan Lake helps moderate temps
- provides water for irrigation
Altitude (300-600m) creates cool nights
- High diurnal range
Pest and disease is not such a large isssue
- Organic viticulture is increasing
Frost and winter freeze are a concern
- planting on mid-slope reduces risk
Okanagan Valley
Varieties
North
- cool climate varieties
- Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer
South
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
- full-bodied and ripe, often high in alcohol
Similkameen Valley
Rocky valley with narrow strip of vineyards by Similkameen River
High mountains on each side of river funnel winds down the valley
Similar to Okanagan valley climate but without moderating influence of lakes.
- days are even hotter
- 300-500m of altitude so nights are cold
- wider diurnal range than Okanagan
Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, Fraser Valley
Cool maritime climate moderated by Pacific
Mild winters without winter freeze concern
Cooler wetter summers (fungal disease)
Only early ripening varieties
- Pinot Noir
Canada Wine business
Almost all wine (except Icewine) is consumed domestically
Demand exceeds supply (large import of certain styles)
Vineyards tend to be small and family owned
Liquor boards have control over distribution
- Liquor Control Board of Ontario
Most wine is consumed within the same province because regulations make shipping illegal or highly complex
- one reason why wine tourism is an important route to market
