Canadian Wines Canadian Wine Labels Understanding them Cellered

Canadian Wines

Canadian Wine Labels Understanding them

Cellered in Canada – Only has 1% to 30% Canadian Grapes – Balance is comprised of Imported Grapes – Does not have to identify origin of country

Cellered in Canada

VQA – 100% Canadian Origin Quality Authenticity

VQA

Product of Canada Nova Scotia Manitoba Quebec B. C.

Product of Canada

VQA – 100% Canadian Origin Quality Authenticity

VQA - Role l Manage and promote wine appellation system l Set and enforce standards l Verify origin of grapes and test all products for quality l Uphold labeling standards

VQA - Regulations l Wineries must register with VQA Ontario/BC • Fee is $1, 000 per winery l All VQA wines must meet standards for grape quality and origin, winemaking and packaging l Wineries are required to provide detailed documentation and evidence that each wine meets the required standards • Winery Inspections $250

VQA - Regulations cont’d l 100% Ontario/BC grown grapes l Minimum 85% varietal content l Minimum grape ripeness l No additions of water l processes regulated for different wine types

VQA - Testing l Before receiving approval, each and every wine is tested for quality – – Tasting by expert panel Chemical analysis Label review Fee for every wine sent to testing • $175 each product submission • $100 each product re-submitted due to VQA failing

VQA - Regulated Terms l Appellation names l Icewine l Late Harvest l Estate Bottled l Blanc de Noirs l …etc. . .

VQA - Enforcement l Enforcement key to integrity of system l VQA carries out extensive independent monitoring and testing to ensure authenticity and compliance l VQA has full powers of government to inspect, investigate, seize products and prosecute offenses

Canada’s Wine History B. C. Ontario l 1859 Oblate fathers l 1075 1 st vines recognize potential viticulture l 1600 Jesuits make wine l 1921 Growers l 1864 Vine Growers Wines Co. formed Assn formed l 1960 – 1978 pop wine boom l 1866 1 st commercial winery

Canada’s Wine History B. C. l 1978 Cottage Wineries licenses Ontario l 1970 small cottage wineries l 1984 - 13 wineries in B. C. l 1990 growers open wineries l 1989 Farmgate Wineries emerge l 1990 VQA formed l 2006 Niagara subappellations formed l 1990 VQA formed followed by BC Wine Institute

Canada’s Wine History B. C l 2005 - +125 winery licenses over 6, 000 acres vines l 2005 vintage 126, 000 Litres icewine juice Ontario l At present – 130 wineries 100 produce VQA wines (+800 VQA) over 20, 000 acres vines l 2006 vintage 1. 2 million Litres Icewine juice

BC’s Top Planted Varietals RED Merlot Pinot Noir Cabernet Sauvignon Syarh Cabernet Franc Gamay Marechal Foch Petit Vedot Malbec Zweigelt WHITE Chardonnay Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Pinot Blanc Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Ehrenfelser Semillon Viognier Auxerrois

Ontarios Top Planted Varietals l l l White Riesling Chardonnay Gewurztraminer Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris Hybrid – Vidal l l l Red Pinot Noir Gamay Noir Cabernet Franc Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Hybrid – Baco Noir – Maréchal Foch.

Canadian Vineyards

Harvest

Climate / Soil B. C. Ontario

B. C. Wine Regions

DVA’s B. C. Okanagan Valley - 5, 000 acres - 70 wineries Fraser Valley - 100 acres - 10 wineries Vancouver Islands - 200 acres - 25 wineries Gulf Islands - 95 acres - 8 wineries Similkameen Valley - 200 acres -15 wineries

BC Vineyard

Tantalus Riesling

Mission Hill SLC Sauv Blanc/Semillon

Petales d’Osoyoos

Wine Regions of Ontario

DVA’s Niagara Penninsula - largest over 11, 000 acres of vines - 12 new sub-appellation Pelee Island - over 500 acres of vines Lake Erie North Shore - over 500 acres of vines Prince Edward County - newest and smallest

Niagaras Sub-appellations

Niagara Vineyard