Auxerrois - introduced from France in the 1970's
Bacchus - new variety introduced from the German Research Station at
Geilweilerhof
Chardonnay - original plantings introduced in the 1960's from Washington
State
Ehrenfelser - German origin through the Geisenheim Research Station
Gewurztraminer - original planting in the 1970's from Eastern Europe
Pinot Blanc - introduced from Germany through the Geisenheim Research Station
Pinot Gris -originating from France in the 1970's
Riesling - originating from Germany as early as the 1930's
Pinot Noir - original plantings came from Washington, now imported from
France
Merlot - original plantings came from Washington State, now from France
Climate: Okagan Valley is ideal for grape production because of the
predictability of the growing seasons. The south of the valley is desert-like,
receiving as little as six inches of precipitation per year. Long days allow the
grape sugars to build, and cool nights prevent the breakdown of acids caused by
constant heat.
Types of Wineries: Major - largest wineries, not restricted in the quantity
of wine they produce. They may or may not have their own vineyards.
Estate - produce wine made from 100% British Columbia grapes, 50% of which
must be grown on the winery property. All steps from crushing to bottling must
be performed at the winery.
Farm - produce wine made from 100% British Colombia grapes, 75% of which must
come from their own vineyards.
Winemakers: British Columbia's winemakers trained in Australia, Canada, New
Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States.
Wine Grape Production:
1993 - 8,652.25 tons CAD$ 16 million
1994 - 6,034.70 tons CAD$ 22
million
1993 - 84% white, 16% red
1994 - 80% white, 20% red
Vineyard Acreage:
1993 -1,966 on 130 vineyards
1994 - 2,149 on 132 vineyards
1995 - 2,500
on 132 vineyards
96.52% Okanagan Valley, 2.21% Similkameen, 1.27% Fraser
Valley & Vancouver Island
Major Grape Varieties:ON
Pinot Auxerrois
Chardonnay
Gewurztraminer
Pinot
Blanc
Riesling
Seyval Blanc
and Vidal. Pinot Noir
Gamay
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Marechal Foch
Baco Noir.
Climate : Ontario's vineyards, located between forty and forty three degrees
latitude are in the middle of the northern winegrowing band. They are on the
parallel south of the famous Burgundy region in France, and in line with the
Chianti Classico zone of Italy, and Spain's Rioja region. Ontario is classified
as a " cool-climate" region.
Regional Geography :In Niagara, the Escarpment acts as a buffer for the
on-shore winds from Lake Ontario. The presence of these picturesque bluffs
creates a circular airflow which eliminates frost and blows away fog and mists
that could enshroud the vines and cause the grape clusters to rot.
Soil: Ontario has a wide variety of soils, from sandy loams to gravel, sand,
and clay, comparable to those found in Burgundy, Bordeaux and other fine
winegrowing regions.
Winemakers: Ontario’s winemakers trained in Austria, Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, and the United States.
Wine Grape Production: 1995 - 24,239 tonnes valued at CAD$ 16.5 million. 60%
white, 40% red
Vineyard Acreage :1995 - 16,000 acres on 553 vineyards in Niagara Peninsula,
Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island.
Speciality Wines: Icewine produced from 100% Ontario grown grapes harvested
naturally frozen on the vine at -7 Celsius or colder. The pressing must take
place immediately following the harvest in a continuous process, within the
recognised viticulture area in which the grapes were grown. Artificially induced
freezing is prohibited.
Late Harvest - produced from 100% Ontario grown grapes that have been
naturally harvested on the vine and achieve a minimum must average in excess of
26.0 Brix.
Botrytized - produced from 100% Ontario grown grapes affected by botrytis
cinerca In the pre-dominant character of naturally Botrytized grapes as
determined by the appellation tasting panel.
Awards Highlights
Vinitaly '95, 3rd Concorso Enologico Internationale, Verona, ltaly
Grand /
Gold
Reif Estate Winery, '93 Vidal Icewine Peller Estates
'93 Chardonnay
Sur Lie
1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze, and 14 H.M.
Vinexpo '95 Challenge du Vin Blaye-Bourg
Gold
Chateau des Charmes, 1991
Cabernet Franc
5 other Gold, 7 Silver, and 4 Bronze Medals
1995 International Wine Magazine Challenge, London England
Gold
Rief
Estate Winery, 1993 Vidal Icewine
5 Silver, 5 Bronze, and 17 Commendations
1995 26th International Wine & Spirit Competition, Surrey
England
Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy - for best blended
red
Hillebrand Estates, Trius Red 1991 8 Gold, 10 Silver, and 21 Bronze
Medals
Markets: 98% of all Ontario wines sold within Canada. Export markets include UK,
Japan, Boston and other niche US markets.
UP
Speciality Wines
Icewine - produced from 100% British Columbia grown grapes harvested
naturally frozen on the vine at -7 Celsius or colder. The pressing must take
place immediately following the harvest in a continuous process, within the
recognised viticulture area in which the grapes were grown. Artificially induced
freezing is prohibited.
Late Harvest - produced from 100% British Columbia grown grapes that have
been naturally harvested on the vine and achieve a minimum must average in
excess of 26.0 Brix.
Botrytized - produced from 100% British Columbia grown grapes affected by
botrytis cinerea in the pre-dominant character of naturally Botrytized grapes as
determined by the appellation tasting panel.
Sparkling - effervescence derived from secondary fermentation by one of three
authorised methods which must be clearly stated on the label.
Markets: 95% of all British Columbia wines sold within the province. Export
markets include UK, Japan, Boston and other niche markets.
UP
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