Canadian Wines
Overview
Wine Growing Regions
Category Submissions
Overview
As in much of North America, grape growing and winemaking
in Canada only started in the 19th century. Ontario and
British Columbia, however, have seen recent dramatic
developments in their wine industries that have raised their
status to wine regions that are now respected world wide.
All Canadian viticulture is by definition cool climate.
Most of the grape growing in the various regions is near to
or at the northern limit for the cultivation of wine grapes.
This means that Canada's best wines will have many of the
features that characterize cool climate wines: intense aromas
and flavours, crisp and refreshing acidity and a high degree
of complexity.
Wine Growing Areas
Canada's two largest wine regions are in Ontario
and British
Columbia. Their history and characteristics are
covered well in the respective category descriptions.
Quebec
has a much smaller and newer industry that is only just
starting to develop. The climate is harsher than in, for
example, Ontario's Niagara peninsula or BC's Okanagan
Valley, so grape growers are often limited in the kind of
grape varieties they can successfully cultivate.
Nova Scotia in the Maritimes has a small wine industry
based mainly on French-American hybrid grape varieties.
Prince Edward Island is home to a small acreage of wine
grapes.
These and other areas of Canada feature quite a number of
fruit wineries, using apples, pears, berries and more
unusual ingredients.
Corporate parent of Hillebrand Estates in Ontario and Peller Estates in Ontario and British Columbia. Tour and taste schedules, and quarterly reports. www.andreswines.com
Newfoundland operation produces a selection of fruit wines including blueberry, cloudberry, lingonberry and plum. Also kosher certification. www.rodrigueswinery.com
The country's largest wine appreciation club offers tastings, tours, Wine Tidings magazine, and non-profit cooperative purchasing. Includes a club profile, event listings, and a reference section. www.opim.ca
Alberta-based club devoted to the appreciation of the wines of Bordeaux. Provides details on events, tasting notes, and some Bordeaux links. www.commanderiedebordeaux.com
Makes a wide range of grape and fruit wines on Prince Edward Island's south shore. Features product descriptions, a company profile, and a picture gallery. www.rossignolwinery.com
Forsiden | 