27 - Canada Flashcards
How large is Canada’s vineyard area?
12,000ha cf. Bordeaux 120,000ha
Most of Canada’s vineyard area are in Ontario and the Okanagan Valley.
Describe the growing conditions that characterise these regions.
Extreme continentality summer temps above 30c, winter below 20c
Moderating influence of lakes is crucial to protect against winter freeze, prevent spring frost and extend growing season
Lakes increase humidity
Northerly latitude 41-51N means growing season is shorter but longer daylight hours in the summer
What are two specific viti challenges in Okanagan?
Drought sits in a rainshadow from either side
Danger of forest fires are related to dryness
Cutting-edge practices and technologies characterise Canada’s wine industry. For each of the following viti challenges, describe how growers manage them.
Humidity from nearby lakes
Drought risk
Short growing season
Winter freeze
Pests like moths and mealy bugs
Humidity canopy management especially VSP but also Geneva Double Curtain, Scott Henry, Lyre
Drought risk drip irrigation
Short growing season canopy mngt –> budbreak as late as May and harvest beginning in August
Winter freeze burying vines used in extremely cold areas e.g. Prince Edward County, to reduce costs some experimenting with geotextiles draped over the vines
Pests use of IPM
How does the lake effect reduce the risk of winter freeze? (2)
- Keeps temps warmer during the winter
- Causes snow as moisture from lake rises and meets cold air - insulates
Describe the role that hybrids play in the Canadian wine industry. (4)
Historically these were the only grapes that could survive winter
They remain about 40% of yield nationwide - mainly in Ontario
Most used for inexpensive wines made with blend of Canadian grapes and imported juice labelled International Canadian Blends
Vidal remains important for HQ icewine due to thick skins and high acid
Compare Icewine made from Vidal and Riesling. (3)
Style will have 200-250 g/L of RS with 9-11% ABV and high acid
Intense and pure aromas of peach and mango
Riesling has especially high acidity, greater complexity and more ageing potential
While the exact style varies between different growing conditions (e.g. cooler Ontario vs. warmer Okanagan), what characterises most Canadian wine?
High acid even warmer spots experience high diurnal range
Describe the production process for Icewine.
Must be made from VV or Vidal –> most made from Vidal
Grapes harvested at -8c
Hand or machine harvested
Pressed to separate high sugar/acid juice
Fermented and stored in SST but oak maturation may also be used
Fermented to around 9-11 ABV with 200-250 g/L of RS remaining
Why is Icewine expensive? (3)
High production costs due to
1. Low yields due to dehydration of grapes 10% of still wine
2. Low yields due to loss of grapes to disease and animals during autumn
3. Rigorous production standards administered by VQA
What does the term VQA mean?
Vintners Quality Alliance is an appellation system which guarantees wines are made from 100% grapes within the province and from VV or a small number of approved hybrids
Limits chaptalisation and outlines min. must weights
All wines must pass lab and tasting panel
Varietally labelled wines need 85%
What styles of wine is Ontario known for? (4)
1. Icewine produces 90% of Canada’s icewine, Vidal most widely planted grape here
–> Cab Franc also used
2. Whites from Riesling including dry to sweet examples, Chardonnay with fresh acid and a range of flavours
3. Red Bordeaux blends led by Cab Franc with Merlot –> distinct herbaceousness with fresh acidity, Oak widely used; both used on their own to make medium-bodied reds
4. Fresh reds from Pinot Noir (medium body) or Gamay (light body)
If a wine is labelled as a VQA sub-region e.g. Lake Erie North Shore where must the grapes be sourced?
At least 85% from the named area with remainder from within the province
Describe how the topography of the Niagara Peninsula impacts the style of wine produced.
Niagara Escarpment has benches and gentle slopes facing north –> altitude and airflow cool vineyards –> high acid wines from Chard, PN, Riesling
–> Also protected from cold SW winds
Niagara-on-the-Lake next to lake on flats –> warmer days, warmer nights, the longer growing season –> Bdx blends as well as fruitier Chard, PN, Riesling
The OK Valley accounts for 85% of BC’s vineyard area. Describe the range of growing environments found in the region.
Extremely continental –> Hotter in the south up to 40c in the summer –> desert conditions
Lake moderates temps and reduces frost risk –> smaller lakes so effect less marked than in Ontario
Northerly latitude shortens growing season but increases day length
Rainfall is generally low ~300mm but a little higher in the north
Soils are free-draining glacial deposits incl. loam, more sandy in south
Altitude helps with diurnals 300-600m
There is a marked difference between growing environments in the North and South of the Okanagan Valley. How does this impact the styles of wine produced?
Cooler northern areas (esp. with east-facing slopes –> why cooler?) produce PN, PG, Riesling, Chard, Gewurtz
Hotter southern areas suit Merlot, Cab F, Cab S and Syrah –> high alcohol, ripe fruit
How is the climate of Similkameen Valley different from the Okanagan?
Adjacent so very similar but no lake effect –> wider diurnal range
