Canada

Question 1

What is the climate throughout most of Canada’s wine region ?

Answer 1

Continental climate
Average annual temperatures are low, average daytime temperatures in July and August are often very high
Large lakes have a moderating influence on temperature extremes
Suitable conditions for Icewine (below zero for long periods)

Question 2

What are the climate hazards in Canada ?

Answer 2

Risks of frost damage due to low temperature

Question 3

What is the quality of Canadian wines ?

Answer 3

World-renowned icewines,
Steadily growing volumes of dry wines, white and red wines

Question 4

Explain the Canadian Wine Laws

Answer 4

- Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA)
- Used by Ontario and British Columbia
- Each province has a number of approved appelations and sub-appelations.
- Every VQA wine must use 100 % grapes that are grown in that province,
- 100% from vinifera or selected hybrids.

Question 5

What are the winemaking regions of Canada ?

Answer 5

Province of Ontario and British Columbia

Question 6

Describe Ontario region and grape varieties

Answer 6

• three primary apppellations: most important Niagara Peninsula
• Ontario lake cools down and heats up more slowly than the surrounding lend and extend the growing season in autumn, allowing grapes to ripen fully and** delay budburst to minimize frost damage.**
• Air flow helps to reduce fungal disease.

Grape varieties
Riesling
- Fresh, fruity dry and off-dry whites
- Finest icewines

Vidal
- Hybrid hardy
- little character for dry wine, but high-quality icewine, althouth without the acid structure and complexity of Riesling

Chardonnay
- Good quality pure fruit and restrained oak

Cabernet Franc
- Most planted
- red plum and herbal characteristics
- used as single varietal of blen with merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

Pinot noir
- Small plantings but high-quality.

Question 7

Describe British Columbia region and grape varieties

Answer 7

• Five primary appellations, the most important being Okanagan Valley. East from Vancouver
• Lies in a rain shadow between to mountain ranges
• Very low annual rainfall and semi-desert environment
• Extremely long day lenghts due to latitude, aiding ripening
• Large glacial lakes moderate temperature and extend growing season (successful white grapes ripening in the north and black grapes in the south)
• Most widely planted varieties : Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay. Icewine from Riesling or Vidal.

Question 8

What two grape varieties often form the base for Canadian Icewines?

Answer 8

Reisling and Vidal