Canada
Canada’s wine industry has only recently come of age. This is largely thanks to a new generation of ambitious and dynamic wine makers, from both within the country and from abroad, who have spent the past couple of decades, upgrading Canada’s vineyards and wineries.
They have had the vision to put quality before quantity and while there is still a long way to go; results to date are extremely promising. Efforts are being directed, specifically at improving vineyard practices, cultivating more suitable vine clones and introducing new technology into the wineries.
Canada’s vineyards are located mainly in the southern parts of the country, around the shores of the Great Lakes and in British Columbia. The two main wine producing regions are Niagara Peninsula, in southern Ontario and the Okanagan Valley, B.C. Ontario accounts for approximately three quarters of all Canada’s vineyards. Although Ontario is on the same latitude as southern France, its climate is extremely different. Lakes Ontario and Erie, however, moderate the region’s harsh climatic conditions. This area is well known for its consistently good, quality white wines and more recently, some decent reds.
There are over 500 wineries in Canada, which produce almost an equal amount of both red and white wines. But Canada is famous for its sweet, white Eiswein made from Riesling or Vidal grapes that have been picked while frozen on the vine.
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Primary Grapes:
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Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon |
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Secondary Grapes:
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Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir |
| Production: |
13 million bottles |
| Primary Wine Regions: |
Southern British Columbia, Ontario near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, southern Quebec, and Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia |
| Premium Labels: |
Joie, Herder, Laughing Stock, Golden Mile, Poplar Grove, Cedar Creek, Rosomel |
| Value Labels: |
Jackson-Triggs, Mission Hill, Okanagan, Peller Estates, Colio Estate, Henry of Pelham |
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