Canadian WinesCanadian Wines

Canadian Wine LabelsCanadian Wine Labels

Understanding them Understanding them

Cellered in CanadaCellered in Canada

– Only has 1% to 30% Canadian Grapes

– Balance is comprised of Imported Grapes

– Does not have to identify origin of country

Cellered in CanadaCellered in Canada

VQA – 100% CanadianVQA – 100% Canadian

Origin

Quality

Authenticity

VQAVQA

Product of CanadaProduct of Canada

Nova Scotia

Manitoba

Quebec

B.C.

Product of CanadaProduct of Canada

VQA – 100% CanadianVQA – 100% Canadian

Origin

Quality

Authenticity

VQA - Role VQA - Role

Manage and promote wine appellation system

Set and enforce standards

Verify origin of grapes and test all products for quality

Uphold labeling standards

VQA - RegulationsVQA - Regulations Wineries must register with VQA Ontario/BC

• Fee is $1,000 per winery

All VQA wines must meet standards for grape quality and origin, winemaking and packaging

Wineries are required to provide detailed documentation and evidence that each wine meets the required standards

• Winery Inspections $250

VQA - Regulations cont’dVQA - Regulations cont’d 100% Ontario/BC grown grapes

Minimum 85% varietal content

Minimum grape ripeness

No additions of water

processes regulated for different wine types

VQA - TestingVQA - Testing

Before receiving approval, each and every wine is tested for quality

– Tasting by expert panel– Chemical analysis– Label review – Fee for every wine sent to testing

• $175 each product submission• $100 each product re-submitted due to VQA failing

VQA - Regulated TermsVQA - Regulated Terms Appellation names

Icewine

Late Harvest

Estate Bottled

Blanc de Noirs

…etc...

VQA - EnforcementVQA - Enforcement

Enforcement key to integrity of system

VQA carries out extensive independent monitoring and testing to ensure authenticity and compliance

VQA has full powers of government to inspect, investigate, seize products and prosecute offenses

Canada’s Wine HistoryCanada’s Wine HistoryB.C.

1859 Oblate fathers recognize potential viticulture

1921 Growers Wines Co. formed

1960 – 1978 pop wine boom

Ontario 1075 1st vines

1600 Jesuits make wine

1864 Vine Growers Assn formed

1866 1st commercial winery

Canada’s Wine HistoryCanada’s Wine HistoryB.C.

1978 Cottage Wineries licenses

1984 - 13 wineries in B.C.

1989 Farmgate

Wineries emerge

1990 VQA formed followed by BC Wine Institute

Ontario 1970 small cottage

wineries

1990 growers open wineries

1990 VQA formed

2006 Niagara sub-appellations formed

Canada’s Wine HistoryCanada’s Wine History

B.C 2005 - +125 winery

licenses

over 6,000 acres vines

2005 vintage

126,000 Litres icewine juice

Ontario At present – 130 wineries

100 produce VQA wines (+800 VQA)

over 20,000 acres vines

2006 vintage

1.2 million Litres Icewine juice

BC’s Top Planted VarietalsBC’s Top Planted Varietals

RED

Merlot

Pinot Noir

Cabernet Sauvignon

Syarh

Cabernet Franc

Gamay

Marechal Foch

Petit Vedot

Malbec

Zweigelt

WHITE

Chardonnay

Pinot Gris

Gewurztraminer

Pinot Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc

Riesling

Ehrenfelser

Semillon

Viognier

Auxerrois

Ontarios Top Planted Varietals Ontarios Top Planted Varietals

White Riesling Chardonnay Gewurztraminer Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris Hybrid– Vidal

Red Pinot Noir Gamay Noir Cabernet Franc Merlot Cabernet

Sauvignon Hybrid– Baco Noir – Maréchal Foch.

Canadian VineyardsCanadian Vineyards

HarvestHarvest

Climate / SoilClimate / Soil

B.C. Ontario

B.C. Wine RegionsB.C. Wine Regions

DVA’s B.C.DVA’s B.C.Okanagan Valley

- 5,000 acres - 70 wineriesFraser Valley

- 100 acres - 10 wineriesVancouver Islands

- 200 acres - 25 wineriesGulf Islands

- 95 acres - 8 wineriesSimilkameen Valley

- 200 acres -15 wineries

BC VineyardBC Vineyard

Tantalus RieslingTantalus Riesling

Mission Hill SLC Sauv Blanc/SemillonMission Hill SLC Sauv Blanc/Semillon

Petales d’OsoyoosPetales d’Osoyoos

Wine Regions of OntarioWine Regions of Ontario

DVA’sDVA’s

Niagara Penninsula

- largest over 11,000 acres of vines

- 12 new sub-appellation

Pelee Island

- over 500 acres of vines

Lake Erie North Shore

- over 500 acres of vines

Prince Edward County

- newest and smallest

Niagaras Sub-appellationsNiagaras Sub-appellations

Niagara VineyardNiagara Vineyard