Canada is one of the world’s less well-known fine wine producing countries, and why it, and a few other countries, find themselves in that position is a topic worthy of a long article all by itself. The take home message, at this point in time, is that Canadian wines are often world-class wines that you really should get to know better. And given that Canada is the world’s second-largest country, logic only dictates that it can grow myriad different grape varieties very well and make wine in many different styles. And wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly how things stand. But Canada, just like any other wine-producing nation, has its own regions and provinces, and very different wine production areas in each. Wine production is being increased in many of the country’s Provinces, with Ontario, British Columbia, the Maritimes and Québec leading the way. Of those, the heart and soul and by far the biggest wine producer, is Ontario. And within Ontario, there are wine appellations, called Viticulture Quality Areas (VQAs) that are just as well-known in the country as Napa Valley, Barolo, and Central Otago are known elsewhere. Given the size of Canada, and the large volume of wines made annually, this report focused on the wines of one Province only, Ontario, and specifically those of the Niagara region.
