Canadian Wine

 

Canada’s wine-making history is relatively short. Beginning in the early 1800s, some of the early European settlers experimented with planting vinifera species from their home country, but these often succombed to vine diseases in the heat and humidity of summers, and froze to death in the frigid winters. However, indigenous grapes could withstand these conditions. European varietals were still being tested, but labrusca and riparia grapes and their hybrids such as Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Baco Noir, Concord, Niagara, Duchess and Maréchal Foch made up the majority of the wines. Suffice to say, these were not the stuff of global acclaim. 
 
In the early 1900s, Canada saw a sweeping temperance movement that enacted a Prohibition in most of the provinces from 1901 in Prince Edward Island, ending for most of the country in 1930 (Prince Edward Island finally relented in 1948). This had similar consequences and blackmarket equivocations as the American one. 

Mentor for Canadian Wines

Jake Pippin

Wine marketing and education professional with Wines of Chile and a native Oregonian with a love of wine old and new. I am wine geek and traveler with an unquenchable desire to explore the world of wine one region and country at a time.

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Popular wines made in Canada under $20

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Varietals Produced in Canada View all

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Merlot

    The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

  • Pinot Noir

    “With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

  • Cabernet Franc

    History of the grape: References to it in the Loire region of France date as far back as the mid 12th century. But it...

Subregions of Canada

  • British Columbia

      British Columbia in the western part of Canada has come a long way from its humble beginni...

  • Nova Scotia

    Nova Scotia’s wine industry rarely gets the attention it deserves. Though the climate is cool, ...

  • Ontario

      Ontario is the most productive wine-producing province within Canada, accounting for the m...

Popular Wineries in Canada View all

  • Kettle Valley Winery

    Naramata is easily the premier growing region in British Columbia, with it’s moderate temperature...

  • Royal DeMaria Wines

    n 1998, Joseph DeMaria, having no previous winemaking experience, made his first icewine from a 5...

  • See Ya Later Ranch

    See Ya Later Ranch is located outside of the town of Okanagan Falls, British Columbia in an atmos...

  • San Andres

    The Company's award-winning premium and ultra-premium brands include Peller Estates, Trius, Hille...

  • Lang Vineyards

    Lang Vineyards opened its doors in 1990 and has grown from its humble beginning into one of th...

  • Black Cloud

    Black Cloud is the brand of winemaker Bradley Cooper and his wife Audralee Daum.

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Canada on Snooth

  • Those of you who regularly visit this site should be familiar with the racy acidity of the Tantalus Riesling - a personal favorite of mine. Well, I can say that, after one further year in the bottle the 2009 is already showing signs of age with ginger, petrol and a rapid fall-off in acidity. This wine looks like it would age about 3-5 years to...

    Comment by 259386zufrieden 259386 zufrieden


  • I noticed during a quick reprise of the site that someone lamented a lack of information (or perhaps reviews of products by) Painted Rock. I actually have some familiarity with Red Icon and other products of this winery but have yet to post a review. Perhaps others have already reviewed some of the wines, but if not, I shall have a review or t...

    Comment by 259386zufrieden 259386 zufrieden


  • Nope. At least not for any of the sites I've been to. Some of the helpful ... visited, none would ship to Canada. I'm fairly sure that this is due to our laws, and not their choice.I'm fairly sure that this is because all our wine and liquor sales are ultimately arbitrated by a governmental organization. If it doesn't go through those guys, it... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Ideas for a tasting/dinner...


  • Pelee Island Chenin Blanc Vidal 2010

    Snoothrank:

    What a delicious and savory white from Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada! The color was daybright yellow in my glass. Aroma's of citrus, pineapple, and melon tantalized my senses! Mouth feel was medium in weight with a good acidity level. Flavors of young white peach, melon, and pineapple abound! On my second sip, more tropical fruit, mineral, and f... Read More

    Wine review by WineSplash


  • Venturi Schulze Pinot Gris Blend Vancouver Island Brut Naturel 2008

    Snoothrank:

    Great value under the bottle-cap/crown cap of this wine! Bottle fermented. Done in the style of champagne, but lacking of any major yeasty/biscuity notes you might typically expect with such. A dry wine with a fairly fine bead, creamy texture, soft acidity/freshness, and surprising complexity. A very longish but subtle finish. Honey, pear, and a... Read More

    Wine review by JenniferT


  • Great White

    Snoothrank:

    A simultaneously painful (on the palate) and pleasurable (on the pocketbook) experience. Great White is a cheap and noxious overly sweet wine which may induce early onset diabetes if consumed too frequently due to its high sugar content. At the same time, it is a must try for its quaint and lovable characteristics, and paradox of having such hig... Read More

    Wine review by bcmoney


  • Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Subtle, clean, and fresh on the nose with fresh sweet floral notes and some minerality. More of the same on the palate of this light - medium bodied wine, with notes of white peach, and sweet ginger/ginger ale, and subdued but consistent acid that provides structure and backbone. A delicate and balanced/well done wine - I think my score may be l... Read More

    Wine review by JenniferT


  • Pentage Wines Gewürztraminer 2011

    Snoothrank:

    An interesting pale bright straw colour. Nose is really interesting: apple and floral perfume with honey and yeast/toasted bread...we thought it smelled remarkably like honeycomb crisp cereal! Tastes of ripe crisp apple and underripe tart peach with some bitter almond notes. The acidity carries through with a longer finish. A delightful and refr... Read More

    Wine review by JenniferT


  • Mission Hill Winery Cabernet-Merlot Five Vineyards 2009

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by nventure


  • Inniskillin Vqa Niagara Peninsula 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Velvety smooth and fruity. Read More

    Wine review by Boob


  • Ancient Hill Baco Noir 2010

    Snoothrank:

    This is a very deep, very serious (gravis) Baco Noir; it is opaque red evincing ripe baking cherries and plum on the nose. On the palate, there is that hint of smoke one expects but it is not prominent here; the black fruit and plum predominates with a short to medium spicey finish. Very nice boutique wine. 87 points. Read More

    Wine review by 259386zufrieden 259386 zufrieden


  • Chateau des Charmes Estate Bottled Cabernet Franc 2009

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by WineSplash


  • Love Canadian wines, but you are missing one of my favorite wineries. Where is Painted Rock?

    Comment by 762720LaurenGrace 762720 LaurenGrace


  • Just an information update. I was interested in your description of the Canadian wine scene but found that it lacked a little in familiarity with our industry. I own Hinterbrook Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and am committed to producing nothing but the best table wines anywhere. Due to the influence of the Great Lakes our climatic zon...

    Comment by 698102Superbwine 698102 Superbwine


  • I live here and love it. I would have to say a treat for me is a bottle of Inskillin Vidal Ice wine and of course a hot blonde....my wife to enjoy it with.

    Comment by 684180Lapincherry 684180 Lapincherry


  • lUV IT...

    Comment by 661376P MCTAGGART 661376 P MCTAGGART


  • i visited a winery in sommerland bc canada can anyone help with name and location?

    Comment by 661376P MCTAGGART 661376 P MCTAGGART


  • Canada rocks! :D

    Comment by 632491fibreoptik 632491 fibreoptik


  • New image uploaded to this page.

    Page modification by 173271LegacyLovesWine 173271 LegacyLovesWine


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Canadian wine ratings and reviews