By Ray Spaziani
Wine Talk
Ray Spaziani
Canada is known for making wonderful ice wines in the European tradition. This is where they allow the grapes to freeze on the vines, which concentrates the sweetness.
Times are changing. Although ice wines are still being produced and are internationally known, several other European varietals are being produced and some terrific wine regions have been recognized.
Canada’s primary wine growing areas include the Niagara Peninsula in southern Ontario and Okanagan Valley in southern British Columbia. In the past 10 years other regions in Quebec and Nova Scotia have produced award winners. Wineries seem to be opening up all over Canada.
Not as well-known stateside are wines from Similkameen Valley, which is located next to Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Also, Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County in Ontario have started to produce some big winners.
Canada boasts over 600 wineries and over 3,000 acres dedicated to wine production.
Ice wine is still Canada’s big winner. The freezing of the grapes concentrates the sugar, acid and berry flavors in the grape. This results in intense, highly concentrated flavors. This is what Canadian ice wines are known for. They are generally made from Vidal, Riesling and Cabernet Franc.
Over 200 wineries in Canada are making sparkling wines. Many of them are making them in the traditional method, which is how wines are made in the Champagne region of France. The sparklers are gaining international notoriety and the quality and wine making techniques are excellent.
Canada is still a relatively new producer of drier wines. There are several wineries in Canada making Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet. Most of these are grown in Ontario and British Columbia. They are getting better and better.
On one of our cold winter nights, try some Canadian wines. You will be glad you did.
Ray Spaziani is the chapter director of the New Haven chapter of the American Wine Society. He is on the tasting panels of Winemaker Magazine and Amate del Vino and is a certified wine educator and award-winning home winemaker. Email Ray with your wine questions or activities at realestatepro1000@gmail.com.