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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.

It wasn’t until after the World Wars and the consumer shift from preferring sweet wines to drier styles that the Canadian wine industry stepped things up. In the 1960s, better technology in wine-growing and production allowed local wine-makers to work with better quality, cool-climate vinifera grapes. Riesling, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier could be planted and maintained for whites. Reds consist of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Merlot and Syrah.

Through the latter part of the 20th century into the 21st, Candian wines saw vast improvements in production and quality. Wine societies were formed in the provinces to support and promote the local wine industries.

Ontario Rieslings were the first to garner attention for their excellence. These are produced in every style from dry to sweet, including Botrytis (“noble rot”) dessert wines and Icewines from frozen late harvest grapes. The Vidal grape is also suited to late harvest wines and Icewine styles and has become a notable regional specialty.

Cabernet Franc has become the starring red grape throughout most of Canada, finding its own expressions in different regions. While it is only used as a blending grape in Bordeaux, as in the Loire, Cabernet Franc is capable of high quality solo work as a single varietal release. These range from medium-bodied fruity and herbal versions to styles with denser cassis and chocolate characteristics through extended oak ageing.

Gamay Noir is the specialty of Ontario. These range from young, fruity wines in the carbonic maceration style of Beaujolais Nouveaux to those with more extensive ageing and richer flavors. Bordeaux varietals and blends are also popular in Ontario and British Columbia.

Niagara specializes in Pinot Noir. This region is styling itself to become a North American Burgundy, with expressions of this varietal showing great range, along with its white Burgundian counterpart, Chardonnay.

The major wine-growing regions of Canada are:

*British Columbia: includes Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Fraser Valley, The Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island.

*Ontario: includes Pelee Island, Niagara Peninsula, and Lake Erie North Shore.

*Québec

*Nova Scotia ~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Updates to Canada

Oct 17, 2011 at 3:16pm

870341Amanda Schuster added a description for Canada

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Canada on Snooth

May 2012

G. Marquis the Silver Line Single Vineyard Niagara Stone Road Pinot Noir 2010

Snoothrank: Starting at $18^.56

This Ontario, Canada Pinot Noir is quite dark and brooding - colour-wise - showing a promise of good extraction. The nose is quite pH acidic with elements of "cat's pee" or mouth-puckering wild cranberry juice, or perhaps sour cherry. This acidity cannot be easily shaken from the... Read more

Wine review by 259386zufrieden 259386
May 2012

All the rain's over this side of the Pacific. Rainiest winter and spring in ... the mountains in the US and Canada that were short of snow, but what's the true story, outthere, in Sonoma and Napa at least

Forum post in the topic 2012 Growing Season by 125836dmcker 125836
May 2012

Open Rose Vqa Canada Vincor International Inc

Snoothrank:

A sweet, off-dry rose typical of cool climate, north american rose. Unlike the classic style rose, the sweetness often masks the beauty of the wine - hiding the soft tannin and floral notes. This rose is too sweet for my liking, as I tend to lean towards French-style rose wines.

Wine review by king fish
May 2012

Hillebrand Winery Producteur Red Trius 2010

Snoothrank:

Trius from Hillebrand impresses once again. Medium bodied, with lush tannins and warm, dark fruits. It's suspended finish intrigues the senses and warms the soul. Good balance, nice oak, and impressive structure!

Wine review by king fish
May 2012

Sainte Famille Baco Noir 2005

Snoothrank:

Wonderful wine from the made from the cousin of Pinot Noirs made in Canada. Unfortunately, this bottle didn't hold up due to improper storing temperatures. :(

Wine review by tabednar
May 2012

Quail's Gate Chardonnay 2008

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by lizz66
May 2012

After attending IPNC a few years ago I was convinced the Okanagan was a very good Pinot producing region, I thought the selection of more warm climate varietals was a huge mistake, maybe a marketing ploy. What I didn't release was the variance in the Okanagan Valley... Read more

Forum post in the topic Canada's Okanagan Shows Great...
May 2012

No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates Unoaked Chardonnay Vqa Niagara Peninsula Vqa 2008

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No written review

Wine review by nventure
May 2012

Angels Gate Winery Pinot Noir Vqa 2007

Snoothrank:

Medium ruby. Medium intensity and light bodied. Raspberry and red cherry. Quite earthy and meaty, as well as black pepper notes. High acidity and soft tannins. Burgundian style Pinot Noir. Very good. Drink now.

Wine review by Matthijs Visser
April 2012

Costco is the largest retailer of wine according to several sources. The only ... Controll Board of Ontario (Canada) and the largest UK supermarket. Volunteer-run www.WineBestBuys.com collects the ratings from all recognised wine critics and the medals from most competitionson their... Read more

Forum post in the topic Costco Wines