Canadian wine

The wine -growing in Canada is operated in four of the ten provinces of Canada since about the 19th century. At about 9,580 hectares around 990,000 hectoliters of wine are produced. The main growing areas are in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. In addition, few commercial vineyards is also operated in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Iceland.

  • 5.1 Ontario
  • 5.2 British Columbia
  • 5.3 Québec
  • 5.4 Nova Scotia

History

The Legend of Vinland

After the colonization of Iceland and Greenland by the Normans from Scandinavia was in the year 1000 by accident Vinland, the wine country, discovered. According to the Icelandic Saga decided Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, the exploration of the newly discovered territory. There one found wheat, wild vines, game and fish. The country was almost frost-free. Where exactly was Vinland, can no longer be traced; very likely it was, however, on the east coast of Canada. According to archaeological finds, it could possibly have been due at L' Anse aux Meadows. To 1075 reported Adam of Bremen in his Gesta story Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum that the King of Denmark, Sven Estridsson, told him of excellent wine from Vinland. Perhaps the Northmen were thus the first winery in Canada. This assumption is also supported by the Climate Research, as at this time of the early Middle Ages there was a brief warm period.

The modern age

The modern viticulture in Canada is relatively young. As the first winery ever applies Johann Schiller, a German-born corporal from the Rhine area. Schiller 1811 planted the first grape vines at the Credit River in Ontario, west of Toronto. He cultivated grape Vitis labrusca the game, which he found on this river, on an eight -acre vineyard. A disadvantage of the American wild grape is the unpleasant taste of the to be present so-called Fox - tone with Vitis vinifera, the wild grape, known in the European area. The viticulture was thus not been a great success. Attempts generally to plant European varieties in North America, failed due to the phylloxera there always exist. In the following years, several approaches for the phylloxera problem in European grape varieties have been tried internationally. There, for example, intersections of wines of Vitis vinifera were (ie all known varieties in Europe ) made ​​with Vitis labrusca. The resulting new varieties are grouped together under the generic term hybrid vines or interspecific hybrids. Especially in France, considerable efforts have been facing the European phylloxera infestation, which was first observed in 1863, made ​​. The motivation in Europe was the assurance of the vineyards and taste the less optimization, as was hoped in the Americas. The French results are summarized in a large vine family, the family of Seibel vines. All Seibel vines have a classification number (eg Seibel 4986 for the hybrid vine Rayon d' Or). Another attempt was the finishing of American rootstocks with European noble varieties by grafting. In the course of many years of efforts, the finishing on American documents proved to be the better way, phylloxera-resistant and to obtain high quality grapes.

1866 was the first winery on Pelee Island in Lake Erie. Three landlords from Kentucky planted on eight hectares with the grape Isabella. The results were encouraging, so that in the subsequent 25 years, another 40 estates that were alone established 35 in Ontario.

Viticulture today

1916 Prohibition was introduced in Canada. By skillful work of the wine lobby, the wine was exempt from the prohibition of alcoholic beverages. In Ontario alone had 57 wineries successfully survived the experiment of Prohibition and have been licensed. After the not very successful efforts of the alcohol reduction through Prohibition, the Liquor Board system was introduced in Canada. These were to state outlets, who were responsible for the sale of all alcoholic beverages exclusively.

Today, in Canada red, rosé and white wines, sparkling wines are produced. The wines are mostly dry, a small portion related to Sweet and dessert wines. The largest wine-growing areas are the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. The majority of the wines are white wines, but the trend is a fashion following to red wines. During 1994, the amount of the applied white wines with about 43 million liters was almost 3 times greater than the amount of red wine ( 14.3 million liters), the ratio of both quantities for each other was 45 million liters of wine and 51.7 million liters of white wine in 2004 almost balanced. An end to this trend is not yet clear.

In spite of a small proportion of total production, Canada is the world's largest producer of ice wine, here called icewine. They are very popular in their own country; the median price for a 37.5 oz bottle is 40 to 45 dollars. The German immigrants and winemaker Walter Hainle presented the first Eiswein 1973 in very small quantities forth. 1978 have been commercialized in Canada, the first wines of this type. Attention achievements Canadian ice wines in international competitions of Bordeaux, Brussels, Verona and London. In 1991, a Canadian Icewine, Inniskillin Vidal Icewine put the 1989 to the wine fair Vinexpo in Bordeaux against 4000 competitors by winning the Grand Prix d' Honneur. Were sold by the year 1992 about 25,000 bottles, so it was four years later, 120,000 bottles. Since the year 2002, the sales amount relatively constant at 435,000 bottles of 0.375 liter.

Canada is ideal for the cultivation of ice wines, as the transition period from dry autumn to the cold winter with temperatures of -8 ° C to -13 ° C with high consistency comes back every year. In Germany it is sometimes difficult to obtain healthy grapes until the first strong frost. Second, it must be harvested in Germany usually at night, to bring the harvest at the required low temperature of -7 ° C or colder until the winepress.

Export figures

Unlike California or Chilean wines are as yet little known wines from Canada to Germany. The Canadian producers are eager to strengthen their exports to the EU and Asia.

Source: Canadian Vintners; All figures in liters

In the current ( mid-2005 ) present statistics of the Canadian Vintners Association, the export figures will be available in 56 countries. Germany, Switzerland and Austria take in these statistics a respectively the ranks 15, 17 and 43. For Germany, the authorities identified an annual quantity of 10,000 liters, Switzerland imported about 4,500 liters per year, while imports in Austria amounted to only about 500 liters.

From these modest amount can be concluded that the sale in the German-speaking countries is still handled by isolated dealer.

Climate for viticulture in Canada

Although the vast majority of Canada's vineyards between the 41st and 45th parallel and thus geographically situated at the same height as the Italian Chianti or the French Languedoc, all regions have a cool climate viticultural climate. The continental cold in winter and unstable weather in early spring and the end of the harvest season in autumn are responsible. In relevant for viticulture growth phase of the vine from April to October, an average temperature ( ie day and night temperatures averaged) of max. 16 ° C is reached ( compare: all wine regions as well as the Champagne, Chablis, Burgundy also have a cool climate viticultural climate of Bordeaux and the northern Rhône have an intermediate climatic range (mean temperatures from 16 to 18.5 ° C ), while the south of France, far. parts of Italy and Spain on a warm climate viticulture (mean temperatures from 18.5 to 21 ° C) have ). The sunshine duration, however, is due to the southern location up to 2400 hours per year. As a comparison: the German wine region Mosel- Saar- Ruwer, the average sunshine duration 1390 hours / year; In 2003, the summer of the century known as the figure stood at 1877 hours.

Wine legislation in Canada

In 1988, the province with the largest wine growing area in Canada, Ontario, a system for classification of quality wines a. The Vintners Quality Alliance ( VQA short ) is modeled on the French and Italian quality systems an Appellation d' Origine ( AOC short ) or a Denominazione di origine controllata (short doc). In 1990, the province of British Columbia the system. Compliance with the criteria is monitored by two regulators, the Wine Council of Ontario (WCO ) and the British Columbia Wine Institute ( BCWI ).

Criteria:

  • In VQA wines, the grapes must come from 100 percent of each growing area.
  • In a province name both hybrid vines as well vinifera vines ( European grape varieties so ) may be used. The above-mentioned on the label variety must contain at least 75 % in the wine. The label is then available Product of Ontario or Product of British Columbia.
  • For a name to a specific area within a province only vinifera vines are allowed. The above-mentioned on the label variety must contain at least 75 percent of the wine. In year transition to the wine must come to at least 90 percent this year.
  • VQA wines are tasted by a jury of six. Recognized wines may list the name VQA on the label. Alternatively, the black VQA seal be applied. Wines that do very well in the tasting allowed to use the golden VQA seal.

Varieties

In Canada, many internationally known grape varieties are cultivated, including the red varieties Baco Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah, as well as the white varieties Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier. The grape variety most commonly used for ice wine is Riesling, which is well suited in this climate to develop sweet wines with corresponding acid peaks. Also quite common are regional varieties Lucie Kuhlmann, Marechal Foch, Aurore, Chancellor, Joannès - Seyve 23-416 and Vidal.

A more complete analysis see the lists of approved for commercial cultivation varieties. This includes the only purpose of cultivation trial selektionierten varieties.

  • Abondant
  • Agria
  • Alba
  • Aligoté
  • Altesse
  • Aramon Blanc
  • Aramon Gris
  • Aranel
  • Arbane
  • Arriloba
  • Arrufiac
  • Athens
  • Aubin
  • Aubin Vert
  • Aurelia
  • Aurore
  • Auxerrois
  • Bacchus
  • Bachman 's Early (also called Hubbard )
  • Baroque
  • Biancu Gentile
  • Blanc lady
  • Bouquet grape
  • Bourboulenc
  • Camaralet de Lasseube
  • Carcajolo Blanc
  • Melon de Bourgogne
  • Merlot Blanc
  • Meslier -Saint -François
  • Molette
  • Mondeuse Blanche
  • Montils
  • Morio - Muscat
  • Müller- Thurgau and Riesling x Sylvaner
  • Muscadelle
  • Muscat à Petits Grains Blancs
  • Muscat à Petits Grains Roses
  • Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge
  • Muscat of Alexandria
  • Muscat de Hambourg
  • Muscat ottonel
  • Ondenc
  • Optima
  • Oraniensteiner
  • Ortega
  • Pagadebiti
  • Pascal Blanc
  • Perdea
  • Pearl of C'saba (also Pearl of C'saba )
  • Petit Courbu
  • Petit Manseng
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Caladoc
  • Calitor
  • Carcajolo Noir
  • Carmenère
  • Castets
  • Chatus
  • Chenanson
  • Cinsault
  • Corvina Veronese
  • Cot
  • Counoise
  • Courbu Noir
  • Dolcetto
  • Dornfelder
  • Dark fields
  • Egiodola
  • Ekigaïna
  • Étraire de la Dui
  • Fer Servadou
  • Feunate
  • Franc Noir de la Haute Saône
  • Fuella Nera
  • Gamay
  • Gamay de Bouze
  • Gamay de Chaudenay
  • Gamay Fréaux
  • Ganson
  • Gouget Noir
  • Gramon
  • Grassen
  • Grenache
  • Grolleau
  • Helfensteiner
  • Heroldrebe
  • Joubertin
  • Lledoner Pelut
  • Mancin
  • Manseng Noir
  • Marselan
  • Merille
  • Merlot
  • Milgranet
  • Mollard
  • Mondeuse
  • Monerac
  • Morescono
  • Mourvaison
  • Mourvèdre
  • Mouyssaguès
  • Muscardin
  • Nebbiolo
  • Négrette
  • Nielluccio
  • Noir Fleurien
  • Persan

Source:

See also: Grape, List of grape varieties

Wine-growing regions in Canada

Ontario

The climate is moderated significantly by the waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in the wine regions of Ontario. Ontario is by far the most important wine-growing 6070 hectares province of Canada. About 90 wineries offer 5,300 direct and indirect jobs. In Ontario, the following regions are distinguished:

The winery Royal DeMaria Vineyards on the Niagara Peninsula would certainly generate by far the most expensive wines in Canada. The farm for several years offers award-winning ice wines in limited edition at prices between 1000 and 4000 euros. For the marketed from 2006 Chardonnay Icewine of the 2000 vintage the estate expects a price of about 20,000 euros per 0,375 liters bottle. The support is 48 bottles. (Source: Decanter ).

British Columbia

The major wine regions of the westernmost province of Canada are the Okanagan Valley and the Similkameen Valley near the Okanagansees. There is here since 1990, the British Columbia Wine Institute ( BCWI ), which has the task to improve the quality of the wine from the province and to define the requirements for certification of wines. The BCWI represents over 90 percent of wine production in the province. The Okanagan Fall Wine Festival is held annually in the fall and enjoys great popularity.

When selecting suitable varieties and their optimal cultivation method of German winemaker Helmut Becker played an important role from the Rebzuchtanstalt Geisenheim.

  • Okanagan Valley
  • Vancouver Iceland
  • Fraser Valley

Québec

Near the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City ( town ) in the city of Durham endeavor about 26 wineries to nearly 300 hectares of vineyards to produce wine from hybrid vines. The climate is continental with hot and humid summers and very cold winters. During the frost -free period 900 mm / year rainfall fall. In winter temperatures of -30 ° C are measured. Therefore, pressed the earth between the rows of vines against the vines after the harvest during the month of November. So you formed about 40 centimeters high and 50 centimeters wide hills that protect the vine against excessive frost. For measurements in the year 1998, the temperature was within a hill in 20 cm depth -6 ° C; the outside temperature was -34 ° C. Late April to early May this hill be removed again. Due to the adverse conditions and the short growing season hybrid vines are planted almost exclusively. The main producing areas are:

  • Québec ( six wineries )
  • Lanaudière ( a winery )
  • Canton de l' est ( nine wineries )
  • Montérégie (ten wineries )
  • Basses laurentides ( three wineries )

Sold almost exclusively from the cellar door. Lately may also be delivered directly to restaurants in the region. The tourist aspect of the wineries plays for the region a more important role than the wine itself

Nova Scotia

The peninsula on the east coast of Canada has in the Annapolis Valley near the Bay of Fundy, despite unfavorable conditions beyond the 45th parallel of latitude over 100 hectares of vineyards. 22 winemakers have planted on the basis of Vitis amurensis Urrebe Mischurnitz and Severny mostly very frost- resistant varieties such as the French hybrid vines Baco Noir, Marechal Foch, 19637 Castel, DeChaunac, Léon Millot and Seyval Blanc and two Russian hybrid vines.

Okanagan Lake Crossbreed Hybrid grape Seibel grapes Varietal Isabella (grape) Italian wine Spanish wine Aurore (grape) Chancellor (grape) Vidal Blanc Aubin Blanc Auxerrois blanc Bacchus (grape) Baroque (grape) Bukettraube Elbling Savagnin Kerner (grape) Palomino (grape) Mauzac (grape) Morio Muscat Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Muscat Rose à Petits Grains Black Muscat Optima (grape) Ortega (grape) Pearl of Csaba Castets (grape) Cinsaut Malbec Dunkelfelder Grolleau (grape) Mondeuse noire Persan (grape) Hamilton (Ontario) Niagara Escarpment AVA Severny (grape) American wine Jancis Robinson
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