Canada

T

he country has one sizeable wine region at Niagara in Ontario and more recently one in the far west in British Columbia. Wine production is now controlled by the VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) and under these regulations the Ontario and generic British Columbia appellations were established. As well as in Niagara Peninsula good whites and icewine are also produced in Ontario from Pelee Island and Lake Eyrie North Shore. The vast majority of the country’s vineyard area and wine production is still focused on Ontario. It is the icewines that make give Canada its unique stamp. Key names to look out for in Ontario include Cave Spring Cellars, Chateau des Charmes, Henry of Pelham, Konzelmann, Peller, Pillitteri and Reif Etate.
However in British Columbia and in particular in the Okanagan Valley, although those same magnificent icewines are crafted, there are an increasing number of dry table wines of note as well. Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah have all shown potential in this dry, sparse inland region to the immediate north of the international border with Washington State. Key names in Okanagan are Blue Mountain, Gehringer Brothers, Inniskillin Okanagan, Jackson Triggs, Mission Hill, Quails Gate and Sumac Ridge.

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