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Ontario

Ontario is Canada’s second largest and most populous province, and its most productive wine-producing area. It’s Canada’s southmost province, and portions of it extend south of much of the United States’ northern border, down to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River; the northern section abuts the huge Hudson Bay. There are about 12,000 acres of wine grapes planted in Ontario. The majority of the grape growing and winemaking is centered in the southernmost section in an area called the Niagara Peninsula, which lies south of Toronto, Ontario, and west of Buffalo, New York. The northern portion of the peninsula has been designated an appellation—Niagara Peninsula VA. It’s bordered on the north by Lake Ontario, on the east by the Niagara River, on the south by the Welland River, and on the west by Highways 20 and 56. The environment of this extremely southern (for Canada) area is moderated by Lake Ontario (see LAKE EFFECT). Another positive feature of this area is the Niagara Escarpment—a 575- to 600-foot ridge (at the eastern end of which is the world-famous Niagara Falls) that runs east to west and holds back winds coming off Lake Ontario. This produces good air circulation and helps protect the vineyards from frost and vineyard DISEASES. All these geographical and environmental factors combine to create an area that produces over 80 percent of Canada’s grapes. Other approved appellations in Ontario include the Pelee Island VA and the Lake Erie North Shore VA. The Pelee Island VA is located in the western portion of Lake Erie some 15 miles from the Canadian mainland about halfway between Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio, and southeast of Windsor, Ontario. It is Canada’s most southerly area and comes within 6 or 7 miles of ISLE ST. GEOGE AVA, a U.S. appellation. Canada’s first commercial winery, Vin Villa, was established here in 1866. Pelee Island’s southern location combined with the moderate temperatures provided by being surrounded by Lake Erie, gives it the longest growing season in Canada. Pelee Island Winery has 500 vineyard acres planted on the island. Lake Erie North Shore VA is located along Lake Erie in the southwestern part of Ontario, south of the City of Windsor, running from the city of Amherstburg to Leamington. The approximately 300 acres of wine grapes here also benefit from the southern location and the lake effect from Lake Erie. Growers compare this growing climate to that of BORDEAUX, although winters here are certainly more severe. The vineyards on Pelee Island and in the Lake Erie area are now planted to about 60 percent VITIS VINIFERA. Ontario vineyards include the following Vitis vinifera varieties: CABERNET FRANC, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CHARDONNAY, GAMAY NOIR, GEWÜRZTRAMINER, MERLOT, PINOT GRIS, PINOT NOIR, RIESLING, and SAUVIGNON BLANC. The planted HYBRIDS include BACO NOIR, MARÉCHAL FOCH, SEYVAL BLANC, and VIDAL. See also CANADA; VQA.

Related Links: De Chaunac, Viognier, Bordeaux, Vitis vinifera

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