Canada Flashcards
(72 cards)
1
Q
How many ha under vine does the country have in total?
A
12,500 ha
2
Q
In what two regions is the majority of grapes grown?
A
- Niagara Peninsula (Ontario)
- Okanagan Valley (British Columbia)
3
Q
What is Canada famous for? How did this style evolve? How much of production does it represent?
A
- Ice wine
- German immigrants
- Represents only small amount of production
4
Q
What is Canada looking to build a reputation for?
A
High quality drys still wines and sparkling wines
5
Q
Climate
What is the climate in the majority of Canadian wine producing regions and where are vineyards planted?
A
- Extreme continental climate
- Summer: temps can regularly exceed 30°C
- Winter: temps of below –20°C
- Most vineyards planted near lakes
6
Q
Climate
What effects do the lakes have where most vineyards are located?
A
- During winter: reduced risk of winter freeze
- During spring: delayed budbreak (low risk of spring frost)
- During summer and autumn: extends growing season
- Risk: higher levels of humidity -> risk of fungal disease
7
Q
Climate
How are vines protected from extreme temps in winter?
A
- Moisture from lake evaporates, meets ambient cold air and produces precipitation in the form of snow -> insulates vines
- Growers may bury their wines (expensive!)
8
Q
Climate
Besides temperature and fungal diseases, what other problem regularly occurs?
A
- Drought (esp. in British Columbia)
- Often irrigation systems installed
9
Q
Vineyard management
What is the current state of the viticulture industry and how are humid conditions managed and what training systems are used?
A
- Very advanced (up-to-date technology)
- Careful canopy management
- VSP as most common training system
10
Q
Vineyard management
How does the length of the growing season compare to other wine growing regions?
A
- Significantly shorter
- Budbreak in May and harvest in August common
11
Q
Grape varieties
How much of grape growing is with hybrids, where are they mostly grown and for what are they used?
A
- 40% (in 2018)
- Ontario
- Mostly Canadian Blends and not VQA wines
12
Q
Grape varieties
What is the most important hybrid and its characteristics? (variety, type of wines, characteristics, aromas, ageing)
A
- Vidal
- Can withstand harsh winters
- High acidity, slow ripening and thick skins -> suitable for sweet late-harvest wines and Icewine
- Not as much aromatic complexity and ageing potential as the finest Riesling Icewines
- Some stone and tropical fruit flavours
13
Q
Grape varieties
What varieties are increasingly planted?
A
- Bordeaux varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Aromatic white varieties such as Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling
- Some Syrah, Viognier and Malbec
14
Q
Grape varieties
What kind of acidity tend most Canadian wines to have?
A
High acidity
15
Q
Icewine
What is Canada’s reputation? What has to happen to harvest the grapes? How are they harvested?
A
- World’s largest producer of Icewine
- Grapes must be harvested at –8°C or below
- Some harvest by hand, many now with machine
16
Q
Icewine
Comment on fermentation, aromas, and potential varieties
A
- Fermentation often stops naturally at 9-11% abv, leaving 200-250 g/L of residual sugar
- Often in stainless steel, sometimes oak for extra flavors
- Best have intense aromas of stone and tropical fruits
- Varieties:
- Mostly from Vidal
- Best are produced from Riesling
- Other varieties are Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay
17
Q
Icewine
What is the typical price and why?
A
- Premium to super-premium prices
- Low yields (10% of that of still wine)
- Dehydrated grapes
- Loss, damage, rot, animals before grapes can be harvested
18
Q
Icewine
What is the export by volume and value?
A
- 13% by volume
- 58% by value
19
Q
Icewine
How is the term protected?
A
- Protected by Canadian Vintner Association
- Rigorous standards of production
20
Q
Wine Law and Regulations
What does VQA stand for?
A
Vintners Quality Alliance
21
Q
Wine Law and Regulations
What are the regulations for VQA wines?
A
- Exclusively from grapes grown in the respective province
- 100% vinifera grapes or certain permitted hybrids
- Min must weights and chaptalization limits
- Wines are tested for eligibility through sensory evaluation panel and laboratory analysis
22
Q
Wine Law and Regulations
What are the regulations for single varietal or double varietal wines?
A
- Single: 85% of that variety
- Double: 95% of both varieties
23
Q
Wine Law and Regulations
How is a large portion of wines produced? How are these wines labeled?
A
- With imported must or wine (at least in part)
- Labeled “International blend from imported and domestic wines”
24
Q
Ontario
Where is it located and with what old world regions does it share latitude? What is the climate?
A
- 41° to 44°N
- Similar to Central Italy and Bordeaux
- However, significantly different climate!
25
**Ontario**
What is the area under vine?
7,000 ha
26
**Ontario**
Where are vineyards located and what are climatic influences and their effect on grape growing?
* Vineyards mainly near the Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario)
* Moderate the extreme continental climate
* Cooling influence of lakes in summer retains medium(+) to high acidity
* Long sunshine hours -> ripe fruit flavors
27
**Ontario**
What is the soil?
* Wide variety of soils (clay and sand, and to a lesser extent gravel and rocks)
* Around lakes: high concentration of limestone
28
**Ontario**
What types of wine are produced?
* Icewine (90% of Canada's production)
* Red & White
* Some Rosé
29
**Ontario**
What are the two most grown white varieties and describe the general style of the final wines (aromas, sweetness, acidity)
* **Riesling**
* Citrus, peach and floral aromas
* dry to sweet
* High acidity
* **Chardonnay**
* Apple and citrus (cooler), stone fruit and even tropical fruit (warmer sites)
* Medium(+) to high acidity
30
**Ontario**
What is the most planted black variety, for what styles of wine is it used (oak?) and what are the aromas?
* **Cabernet Franc**
* Elegant, fresh wines with red plum, red berry, green pepper and herbal notes
* Usually aged in oak
* Often in Bordeaux-style blends
* Can produce excellent Icewines
31
**Ontario**
Besides Cabernet Franc, what are other black varieties grown and describe the general style of the final wines (aromas, body)
* **Merlot**
* Used in Bordeaux-style blends
* Dark fruit
* Soft, medium-bodied
* Medium tannins
* **Pinot Noir**
* Red cherry and strawberry fruit
* Medium body
* **Gamay Noir**
* Fresh, red fruit
* Light body (some richer, oak-aged)
32
**Ontario**
Name two significant producers
* Inniskillin
* Peller Estates
33
**Ontario**
What is the general quality and price of wines?
* Good to very good quality (some outstanding)
* Dry wines typically mid- to premium priced
34
**Ontario**
What are the three primary appellations?
* Niagara Peninsula
* Lake Erie North Shore
* Prince Edward County
35
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula**
Describe the soil and climate and what that means for the styles of wines produced
* Wide variety of soils and microclimates
* Range of style can be produced
36
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula**
Where are the vineyards located?
* Close to the Lake Ontario
* Up to the steep slopes of the Niagara Escarpment
* Majority of vineyards on benches and slopes
* Some on the plain
37
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula**
What are the main climatic influences and what are the effects?
* **Lake and escarpment**
* Warming air flow in winter and cooling air flow in summer (cool air flows down the slopes and then warm air rises)
* Prolong growing season and reduce risk of fungal disease and frosts
* Escarpment protects the area from south-westerly winds which can be bitterly cold in winter.
38
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula**
What is the climate on top of the ridges of the Niagara Escarpment?
* **More continental**
* Warmer summer temperatures and colder winters
39
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula - Niagara Escarpment**
Where are the vineyards located?
* Benches and gentle, northern slopes of the escarpment
* NOT the land nearer the lake
* NOT the plateau on top
* BUT in between
40
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula - Niagara Escarpment**
What is the climate and what effect does it have on the final wine?
* Altitude and cooling lake breezes
* -> **coolest part** of the Peninsula
* High acidity
41
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula - Niagara Escarpment**
What varieties are grown here?
* Chardonnay
* Pinot Noir
* Cabernet Franc
* Riesling
42
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula - Niagara-on-the-Lake**
Where is it located, what is the climate and what are climatic influences?
* Large flat area directly at Lake Ontario
* Slightly warmer than the slopes of the escarpment
* Not as cold nights and warmer autumns
43
**Ontario - Niagara Peninsula - Niagara-on-the-Lake**
What are the main grapes and what style of wines is it better suited to than the Niagara Escarpment?
* Chardonnay
* Riesling
* Pinot Noir
* Cabernet Franc
* Can produce Bordeaux style red blends
44
**Ontario - Lake Erie North Shore**
Where are vineyards located, what are climatic influences and what is different to Lake Ontario in Niagara Peninsula?
* Gently-sloping shoreline of Lake Erie
* Vineyards surrounded by water
* Moderates temps
* Lake Erie is the **shallowest of the Great Lakes**
* -> warms up more quickly in spring but cools down more quickly in autumn
* -> winter freeze is more of a concern
45
**Ontario - Lake Erie North Shore**
Where is the region located and what is the climate compared to other regions in Ontario?
* South-west of the province
* Warmest
46
**Ontario - Lake Erie North Shore**
What varieties are mostly grown?
* Merlot
* Cabernet Franc
* Cabernet Sauvignon
47
**Ontario - Lake Erie North Shore**
How do the wines compare to Niagara Peninsula?
* More fruit
* Less structured
48
**Ontario - Prince Edward County**
Where is it located, what is the climate and climatic influences?
* Most northerly appellation at the eastern end of Lake Ontario
* Surrounded by water
* Fully exposed to winter winds
* Winter freeze is a regular concern -> vines protected through burying or covering
49
**Ontario - Prince Edward County**
Where are the vineyards located, what is the soil and what effect does it have on grape growing?
* Broad limestone plateau
* Stony topsoil
* -> radiates heat at night
* -> aids ripening
50
**Ontario - Prince Edward County**
What are the most grown varieties? What are characteristics of the final wine?
* Pinot Noir
* Chardonnay
* Extremely high acidity
51
**British Columbia**
How many ha under vine does it have?
4,200 ha
52
**British Columbia**
In general, what are the two distinct areas?
* **Small number of vineyards** close to the Pacific
* -> cool, maritime climate
* **Main area** is 400 km inland
* -> sheltered from maritime influence by mountains
53
**British Columbia**
Where is it located (latitude), what is the effect on grape growing and the final wine?
* 48°-51° N
* Shorter growing season but longer days
* High diurnal range (esp. inland)
* Ripe, fruit flavours with high acidity
54
**British Columbia**
What happened to the many hybrids that were previously planted?
* Late 1980s: radical vine pull scheme
* Reduced plantings by two-thirds
* Small amount of hybrids remain (notably Vidal for Icewine)
* Significant new plantings of international varieties
55
**British Columbia**
What are the three most grown black varieties and some characteristics of the final wines (aromas, tannin)
* **Merlot** (most planted)
* More full-bodied with higher tannins, higher alcohol and riper fruit flavors
* **Pinot Noir**
* Riper and fruitier with relatively high tannins
* **Cabernet Sauvignon**
* Intensely fruity with high tannins and acidity and considerable ageing potential
56
**British Columbia**
What are the three most grown white varieties and some characteristics of the final wines (aromas, acidity, body)
* **Pinot Gris** (most planted)
* Melon and pear
* Dry or off-dry style
* Medium to high acidity
* Medium body
* **Chardonnay** (variety of styles)
* Riper, stone fruit, medium body
57
**British Columbia**
What is the typical quality and price of VQA wines?
* Good to very good (some outstanding)
* Mid- to premium priced
58
**British Columbia**
Name two significant producers
Le Vieux Pin and Mission Hill
59
**British Columbia - Okanagan Valley**
How much plantings does it have within British Columbia? (%)
85% of plantings
60
**British Columbia - Okanagan Valley**
Describe the climate in different areas of the region
* Wide range of different climates
* **Northern end**: Cool (one of the most northerly wine-producing areas in the world)
* **South**: Hot desert conditions
61
**British Columbia - Okanagan Valley**
What are the soils and rainfall and what does it mean regarding diseases and irrigation?
* Glacial deposits of various types, particularly loams, and become increasingly sandy in the south
* 300-400mm rainfall
* **Pests and diseases not a problem**
* **Irrigation is essential**
62
**British Columbia - Okanagan Valley**
What is the key moderating influence and what is the effect?
* Lakes that **moderate temperatures**
* Deep Okanagan Lake in northern half (most important one)
* Smaller and less effect than great Lakes in Ontario
* **Provide water for irrigation**
63
**British Columbia - Okanagan Valley**
Describe the general climate (incl. effects, risks, and altitude)
* **Extreme continental** climate
* Short growing season but long days
* Summers can be hot (up to 40°C)
* **Spring frosts** are a concern -> plantings on mid-level slopes to reduce the risk
* Altitude of 300-600m -> **High diurnal range**
64
**British Columbia - Okanagan Valley**
Describe the varieties grown in the north and south of the region
* **North**
* Pinot Noir
* Pinot Gris
* Riesling
* Chardonnay
* Gewürztraminer
* **South**
* Merlot
* Cabernet Franc
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Syrah
65
**British Columbia - Similkameen Valley**
Where is it located, what is the climate and what are climatic influences?
* At southern end of Okanagan Valley
* High mountains funnel constant winds
* Similar climate to Okanagan Valley but **no lakes**
* Very **hot summer days**
* Altitude (400-500m) causes **high diurnal range** with cold nights
66
**British Columbia - Similkameen Valley**
What are the main varieties grown?
* Merlot
* Pinot Noir
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Chardonnay
67
**British Columbia - Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Fraser Valley**
What is the general climate, how is it moderated and what are problems?
* Small coastal regions
* Cool, maritime climate
* Moderated by Pacific
* Mild winters (no winter freeze)
* Cooler and wetter summers
* Diseases can be a problem
68
**British Columbia - Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Fraser Valley**
What are the varieties grown?
* Only early-ripening varieties
* Mostly **Pinot Noir**
69
Comment on export and import of wine in Canada
* Mostly importing
* EXCEPT Icewine, almost all production consumed domestically
70
What are the top export markets?
* China
* USA
* South Korea
* Hong Kong
* Japan
71
What businesses are mostly involved? What is a current trend?
* Mostly growers and estates
* Recently, growers move towards production
72
How is the wine brought to consumers?
* Often through Provincial Liquor Boards (e.g., LCBO, Liquor Control Board of Ontario)
* Direct to consumer shipping mostly not allowed, so tourism is very important
