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

  • La Ferme Maury

    This vineyard farm, facing the Nothumberland Strait, with all its surrounding activities, w...

  • Joie

    In the fall of 2002 we purchased a beautiful 5 acre farm on the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Va...

  • See Ya Later Ranch

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

  • Hawthorne Mountain

    The Winery: See Ya later Ranch at Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards Year: Established September 1st, 1...

  • Fielding Estate Winery

    The Vineyards From their first small vintage in 2002, Fielding wines are made with meticulous c...

  • Vincor International

    Vincor Canada is the largest producer and marketer of wine and related products in Canada. The Co...

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Canada on Snooth

  • Le Clos Jordanne Pinot Noir Twenty Mile Bench Vqa le Grand Clos 2007

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by alanb1108


  • Polar Grove Viognier 2011

    Snoothrank:

    This viognier - though soft smooth and thirst-quenching is a little dilute for my tastes. There are the usual varietal markers such as peach, apricot, lychee and ginger spice on the nose with a muted sense of same on the palate. Needs a bit more fruit intensity to improve. Still, a tasty accompaniment to Chinese fare. 86 points Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


  • Lake Breeze Vineyards Pinot Noir Okanagan Valley Vqa Seven Poplars 2010

    Snoothrank:

    This rich, expressive Pinot Noir from Naramata BC has a deep, Kirsch-like colour and the strangely opulent nose of a teenaged girl's boudoir plus violets and spiced red berry. Very nice. The entry is smooth,- even unctious - with a profile of strawberry and sweet cream. There is a slight acerbity on the finish - which is quite lengthy - but t... Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


  • Reif Estate Kerner Niagara-On-the-Lake Vqa 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Perhaps this wine's most striking feature is its intense floral aromas. A fresh velvet mouthful to start followed by a ceiling of tempered acidity. Flavours of peach,starfruit and blood oranges with a nice finish. Read More

    Wine review by NiagaraWiner


  • Just sharing a little something I started with a few friends two years ... the ... the smaller towns on the US/Canada border.  This may not sound like the best route to take, but considering that Polaris Industries is located in Roseau (a multi Billion dollar company) and Warroad has Marvin Windows and Glass (another huge company) the muni's i... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Annual "wine tour"


  • Joie Farm a Delicate Balance IV Riesling 2011

    Snoothrank:

    This Riesling from Joie Farm has a mixed provenance being a blend of grapes from various Kelowna area vineyards of repute. The result is quite astounding - there is a beautiful dandelion wine colour with sweet apple on the nose and just a hint of pie spice. Bracing acdidty mid-palate is balanced by a soft douce finish. This is a very fine win... Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


  • Copper Moon Shiraz NV

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by alanb1108


  • Lastella Vivace 2011

    Snoothrank:

    The LaStella Vivace has a soft white fruit nose with confit overtones. It is very European in style with a round, balanced mouth feel and appealing viscosity; very much in line with a rich example from Veneto or Alto Adige (Italy). The finish is long with a little musk, peach and citrus backed by good glycerin and body. Very elegant, this wine ... Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


  • Spierhead Pinot Noir 2010

    Snoothrank:

    OK, finally a British Columbia PN that has some body without sacrificing the ... far north (East Kelowna, BC Canada) and does remind one of a decent Bourgogne A.C. On the palate there is little tannin and not too surprisingly, little structure; but the fruit is solid - if a tad jejeune to the little gray cells. Still a solid wine, soft, silky... Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


  • Hester Creek Pinot Gris 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Nice. A fourth Pinot Gris of high quality from the 2011 vintage in British Columbia Canada. This wine is made from very old vines and Italian clones. While slightly dilute - like all other examples from this cool growing season in the Pacific Northwest - the Hester Creek is perfectly correct with a pear and grapefruit rind nose. The palate fi... Read More

    Wine review by zufrieden


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Canadian wine ratings and reviews