The Ontario Wine

Appellation Authority
GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE
Taste the PLACE

VQA is about place. Special places right here at home.

Places like nowhere else in the world. Where the soil, the
slope, the sunshine, the warmth, the rainfall and the
craftsmanship all matter. Together, they give us better
grapes. And better grapes give us better wine.
Appellations
Across Canada, there are now eight
primary viticultural areas that are
recognized to produce grapes for
appellation wines certified by the
vintners quality alliance system (VQA).
Ontario – climate, weather &
growing conditions
LATITUDE: SITUATED BETWEEN
41 AND 44 NORTH,
We say Wine Country Ontario is the
epitome of cool. Fluctuations in daily
temperature over the course of the
growing season create conditions critical
to achieving a fine balance of acidity,
alcohol and fruit expression.
Limestone
Lake Effect
But what effect does this have on the
GROWING CONDITIONS?
Lake Effect

In the case of Ontario winegrowing regions – this is everything. The natural effect of
proximity to water is a significant influence on the weather in both the spring and fall.

• In the spring, the lakes and rivers are cold and cold air from these bodies of water
is circulated to the vineyards which has a cooling effect on the air there, bringing it
down several degrees, and thereby delaying spring and bud break in the vineyards
until such a time as the threat of spring frost has passed
• In the fall, the water is warm, and warm air circulates over the vineyards,
prolonging the growing season into the fall.
 % OF TOTAL
Grape varieties we grow VARIETY PRODUCTION
(BY VOLUME)
(total of 48 different
Riesling 15%
varietals) Chardonnay 14%
Cabernet Franc 11%
• Red grape varieties used Merlot 11%
in all VQA wines – 49% Pinot Gris 9%
• White grape varieties used Baco Noir 8%
in all VQA wines – 51% Vidal Blanc 7%
Cabernet Sauvignon 6%
Pinot Noir 6%
Sauvignon Blanc 4%
Gamay Noir 3%
Gewurztraminer 3%
Syrah 2%
Other 2%
Ontario has identified three viticultural areas so far:
NIAGARA PENINSULA, LAKE ERIE NORTH
SHORE & PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY.
Niagara Peninsula
Diverse terroir, sheltered slopes,
lakeside vineyards, a world of
character in the wines
Niagara Peninsula
Diverse terroir, sheltered slopes,
lakeside vineyards, a world of
character in the wines
Niagara Peninsula

The classic cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay

Noir, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc flourish here, and the region now boasts
over 46 thriving varietals across 13,600 acres. The Niagara Peninsula
continues to shape a rapidly expanding premium wine industry in Canada as
the home to approximately 55% of Ontario's VQA wineries.

ANNUAL PRODUCTION 1,999,748 (9L cases)

NUMBER OF WINERIES 96

NUMBER OF APPELLATION WINES 1,469

GROWING DEGREE DAYS 1,590

Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Cabernet

COMMON VARIETALS
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
NIAGARA PENINSULA
Diverse terroir, sheltered slopes, lakeside vineyards,
a world of character in the wines.

Wine Personality & Style

Wines from the Niagara Peninsula draw on a wide range of grape varieties,
microclimates, terroirs and winemaking styles and show a breadth of personality
as unique as the people who make them.

Riesling and Chardonnay have emerged as one of the clear strengths of the
region with a fresh crisp personality. Lesser-known aromatic whites promise
spicy, floral and exotic character.
The diversity of vineyard sites allows Niagara’s red wines to cover a range of
weight and charm, with exceptionally versatile and food friendly Pinots and
Gamays and fuller, rich Cabernet and Merlot.
Many wineries are experts at blending varieties to create signature wines that are
unique to Ontario.
Prince Edward County
Limestone bedrock, stony
soils, low yields, excellent
fruit concentration
Prince Edward County
Limestone bedrock, stony
soils, low yields, excellent
fruit concentration
Prince Edward County

Varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir excel here. The broken
limestone bedrock and stony soils of this appellation allows for excellent
drainage in the spring and acts like a wet sponge throughout the growing
season, forcing vines to grow deeper during the hot summer months and
produce small yields with concentrated flavours.

ANNUAL PRODUCTION 28,278 (9L cases)

NUMBER OF WINERIES 29

NUMBER OF APPELLATION WINES 125

GROWING DEGREE DAYS 1365

COMMON VARIETALS Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
Limestone bedrock, Stony soils, low yields,
excellent fruit concentration.

Wine Personality & Style

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

The limestone and stone flecked clays of Prince Edward County

produce low yielding vines and wines of good length that
express the minerality and complexity of the soils.

White wines show floral, sometimes herbal overtones and

well-balanced acidity.

Elegant, cool climate Pinots with pronounced minerality on the

finish share the County spotlight.
Lake Erie North Shore
Cool, lake breezes,
abundance of sunshine,
ripe fruit with good balance
Lake Erie North Shore
Cool, lake breezes,
abundance of sunshine,
ripe fruit with good balance
Lake Erie North Shore

Plantings in Lake Erie North Shore are well developed close to the Lake Erie
shoreline, where topographic and climatic conditions are particularly favourable
and support full and balanced ripening of grapes. Varieties such as Cabernet
Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon do well here.

ANNUAL PRODUCTION 27,531 (9L cases)

NUMBER OF WINERIES 16

NUMBER OF APPELLATION WINES 46

GROWING DEGREE DAYS 1,515

Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet

COMMON VARIETALS
Sauvignon
LAKE ERIE NORTH SHORE
Cool, lake breezes, abundance of sunshine,
ripe fruit with good balance.

Wine Personality & Style

The most southern region in Canada, Lake Erie North Shore is blessed
with a long, warm sunny growing season. This ideal (warm but not hot)
translates to ripe and balanced wines in the glass. Lake Erie North
Shore is an ideal place for Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay.

Riesling and Pinot Gris from this appellation show floral, tropical
flavours and a touch of spice. Well-ripened Merlots, Cabernets and red
blends have a complex character, with full fruit and a soft palate.
Diversity in Growing Conditions

LENS PEC NP

GROWING DEGREE DAYS 1515 1365 1590

FROST FREE DAYS 200 194 208

JULY MEAN TEMP 22℃ 19℃ 22.3℃

PRECIPITATION 544mm 757 mm 546 mm

Riesling, Chardonnay,
Cabernet Franc,
Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris,
COMMON VARIETIES Merlot, Riesling,
Pinot Noir Cab Franc,
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cab Sauvignon

2020 Reporting Year: 2020 Reporting Year: 2020 Reporting Year:

PRODUCTION
27,531 (9L cases) 28,278 (9L cases) 1,999,748 (9L cases)
Icewine
I C E W I N E Statistics

Ontario is the world leader

Regulated under the VQA Act

100% Grapes naturally frozen on the vine

THE ONTARIO WINE
APPELLATION AUTHORITY
is the starting point to every winery and
winemakers journey to producing authentic
wines of origin and quality.
We are the regulatory agency responsible for
maintaining the integrity of local wine
appellations, enforcing winemaking and labelling
standards, and ensuring VQA wines are authentic
wines of origin & quality.

The VQA act sets the framework and rules for

the origin, composition and labelling of VQA wine
and how regulated appellations for wine growing
regions are established.
Rules & regulations –
Defining Appellation of Origin
What is R E G U L A T E D ?

Regulations set out basic standards for

grapes and wines.
They cover:
• Grape varieties and ripeness
• Winemaking techniques
• Composition and labelling requirements
• Sensory and chemical criteria for
the finished wine
• Audit and inspection
 Meeting the promise of O R I G I N , Q U A L I T Y & A U T H E N T I C I T Y

• The starting point for all Ontario VQA

wines - 100% Ontario grown grapes.
• In order to claim specific appellations
of origin, or use regulated label terms,
wines must meet quality, composition
and production standards and
complete a testing and certification
process.

100% Grape 85% Grape 100% Grape

Regional and varietal production - A P P E L L A T I O N S

Wines labelled with one of the ten sub-appellations of the Niagara Peninsula or
the South Islands sub-appellation of Lake Erie North Shore must contain 100%
content from the stated sub-appellation. Niagara Peninsula and its appellations
makes up most of the production, and many wines carry the Ontario designation
because of composition rules – hybrids, Charmat method, regional blending.

AS DECLARED ON LABEL CASES (9L) % OF ALL VQA WINES

Niagara Peninsula 1,672,526 51%

Ontario 1,243,872 38%

Sub-appellations 340,945 10%

Prince Edward County 28,278 Less than 1%

Lake Erie North Shore 13,809 Less than 1%

Wine Approvals
Determining the Standard is Met
How do we E V A L U A T E T H E W I N E S ?

• Wine testing and approval program

• Sensory Evaluation
• Lab Analysis
• Label Review
• Wines cannot be released before approval
Audit & Inspection
Winery A U D I T

The Ontario Wine Appellation Authority conducts an

audit of every VQA winery each year. The purpose of
the audit is to examine winery records and inventory
and determine whether VQA regulations are met and
whether all volumes of VQA wines are substantiated
with respect to origin and other requirements.
Retail I N S P E C T I O N S

• The Ontario Wine Appellation Authority

conducts inspections of winery retail
stores, e-commerce websites, and non-
winery retail outlets.
• Information about wines offered for
sale, including use of VQA terms on
labels is collected and checked against
VQA records to determine whether the
wine is approved and complies with
labeling requirements.
Authentic W I N E S O F O R I G I N

If you want to know where the

grapes are from – always look
between the VQA letters on the
front label!
For more detailed information about
what we do and why it’s important
or to discover our wine appellations,
please visit www.vqaontario.ca
Certificate Test

1. Complete the test located in your BlackBoard Shell

2. You must achieve a grade of 75% or higher to earn the
certificate
3. You have two attempts to achieve this grade
4. A certificate will be emailed to you
Get in Touch
Katherina Radcliffe
Director, Wine Standards and Communications
Ontario Wine Appellation Authority
katherina.radcliffe@vqaontario.ca

5775 Yonge St., Suite 1220

Toronto, ON M2M 4J1
Tel: (416) 367-2002