North America - Canada

Question 1

Where’s Canada?

Answer 1

The Northern Part of North America spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and north to the Arctic Ocean.

Question 2

Climate catergory of Canada?

Answer 2

Primary wine growing areas sit within the 30-50° latitude lines. Climates range from Cool to Continental to Desert.

Question 3

Unique physical features of Canada?

Answer 3

Large bodies of water:
Oceans: Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
Great Lakes: Very deep and rarely freeze helping moderate the winter climate. Lakes and oceans help cool in the climate in the warm summers.

Question 4

Name the white grape varieties

Answer 4

Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer

Question 4

Info regarding Canadian winemaking?

Answer 4

Make wines based on what the climate does best!
Still Wine (red white and rosé)
Sparkling Wine
Ice Wine

Question 4

Grape growing information?

Answer 4

Winter hardy varieties able to stay alive in the deep winter freezes

1. Vitis vinifera
2. North American native vine species Vitis labrusca and Vitis riparia
3. French and American hybrids: Winter hardy/able to stay alive in the deep winter freezes example: Vidal

Question 5

Wine appellation info?

Answer 5

Wine is currently made in at least nine of the Canadian provinces with the largest concentrations in British Columbia and Ontario.

British Columbia: Located on Canada’s Pacific Coast. Climate varies widely from cool to very warm. The only classified desert in Canada Okanagan Valley (main viticultural area)On the 50-degree latitude line. Continental climate with very hot summers and very cold winters. Lake Okanagan moderates.

Ontario: Located on Canada’s east coast with influence from the Great Lakes. Ontario produces half of all Canadian wine.
Niagara Peninsula (main viticultural area) ** Ice Wine: Ontario produces 90% of Canadian ice wine.

Question 5

Name the red grape varieties

Answer 5

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Question 6

Wine laws?

Answer 6

Canada is unique in that it is not one unified wine market with no national wine law. Each individual province has its own laws.

VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) Primary regulatory body for premium wine.

Question 7

Style?

Answer 7

Ice Wine: Leading global producer90% is produced in Ontario. Must be frozen grapes on the vine. Often picked in the middle of the night. Grape varieties for ice wine: Riesling and Cabernet Franc

Vidal is also used for Ice Wine

Question 8

History of Canadian wine?

Answer 8

Commercial wine has been made since mid-1800s
20th Century Prohibition (1916-1927)1970s: The first winery license issued in Ontario

Question 9

Producer/ proprietary brands?

Answer 9

Inniskillen

Question 10

Food and beverage pairings?

Answer 10

Sweet and savory pairings with Icewine