Chap 35: Canada Flashcards
What is the general climate in Canada?
Continental throughout
What are the average annual temperatures in Canada?
Low
What are average daytime temperatures in July and August in Canada?
Very high
How are temperature extremes moderated in Canada?
By large lakes
Describe winters in Canada
Temperatures can drop far below zero for long periods
What are the long, freezing winters ideal for?
Icewine
How many primary appellations are in Ontario?
Three
What is the most important of Ontario’s appellations?
Niagara Peninsula
Where in Ontario is Niagara Peninsula?
On the south-western corner of Lake Ontario
What effect does Lake Ontario have on Niagara Peninsula?
It cools down and heats up more slowly than the surrounding land, extending the growing season in Autumn allowing the grapes to ripen fully and delays budburst in spring helping to minimize frost damage. Air flow helps to reduce fungal disease.
What is the most successful grape variety in Niagara Peninsula?
Riesling
What styles does Riesling make in Niagara Peninsula?
Fresh, fruity, dry and off-dry whites and the finest Icewines
Other than Riesling, which other grape variety is common for Icewine?
Vidal
Describe the features of Vidal and the styles of wine it can be made into
A hardy hybrid with little character as a dry wine, but makes good Icewines (though without the acid structure or aromatic complexity of Riesling)
Other than Riesling and Vidal, which other variety is popular in Niagara Peninsula?
Chardonnay
Describe the style of Chardonnays made in Niagara Peninsula
* Quality
* Sweetness
* Flavor
Good quality
Dry
Pure fruit and restrained oak
What is the most planted black grape varietal? Describe the styles of wines it is used for.
Cabernet Franc is the most widely planted black grape producing wines with red plum and herbal characteristics. It may be used to make single varietal wines or bordeaux style blends with Merlot and Cab. Sauv.
Other than Cab. Franc, Cab. Sauv and Merlot, what other other notable black grape is planted here?
What is the volume of plantings and quality of the wine it produces.
Pinot Noir - plantings are small but some high quality wines are made.
Where in Canada is British Columbia?
The west coast
How many appellations are in British Columbia?
Five
What is the most important of British Columbia’s appellations?
Okanagan Valley
Describe the climate of Okanagan Valley
It lies in the rain shadow of two mountain ranges which are on either side of the valley, which results in very low annual average rainfall and a semi-desert environment
What are the moderating influences in Okanagan Valley and what effects does it have on the grapes and overall growing season?
- Latitude - Day length is very long during the growing season due to northern latitude and this prolongs the time in which photosynthesis can take place, aiding in grape ripening.
- Large glacial lakes - They help to moderate temperature, extending the growing season, enabling successful ripening of grapes in the north, and black grapes in the south.
What are the most widely planted grapes in Okanagan Valley?
Merlot
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Other than still, dry wines, what else is produced in Okanagan Valley?
Icewine from Riesling or Vidal
What is the appellation system of Canada?
Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA)
Which two provinces use the VQA scheme?
Ontario and British Columbia
How are DVAs further divided?
Each province has a # of approved appellations and then sub-appellations.
What are the main restrictions for VQAs?
Every VQA wine must be made 100% grapes that are grown in that province
They must be made 100% from V. vinifera varieties or selected hybrids
