Canada’s wine growing regions are situated within the recognized growing zones of 30 and 50 degrees latitude north, which is shared by many other cool climate wine regions of Europe. Our primary wine-growing regions are the Niagara Peninsula in southern Ontario and the Okanagan Valley in southern British Columbia, along with other regions in each of these provinces and smaller producing areas in Quebec and Nova Scotia. Although small in scale by world standards, wine is a growing business in Canada, with wineries sprouting up wherever soil and climate permit the growing of productive vines. The Similkameen Valley, adjacent to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, and Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County in Ontario, are producing excellent wines, with the industry having undergone a renaissance over the past few decades. All together, Canada’s wine growing regions are comprised of 31,001 acres (12,565 hectares) and 616 wineries.

 

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Since the early 1990s Canada has been internationally known for the consistent quality of its Icewine. Produced in every Canadian wine producing region, Ontario produces over 90% of this delicious and quintessentially Canadian product which is made from grapes that have been naturally frozen on the vine. Winter temperatures and freezing concentrate the sugar, acid and berry extracts in the grape, resulting in highly concentrated flavours and the complex intensity for which Canadian Icewines are known. Icewine is primarily produced from Vidal, Riesling and Cabernet Franc.

 

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While Canada continues to be proud of its Icewine story, it is quickly becoming discovered for the quality of its table and sparkling wines. Each of Canada’s wine regions have unique growing conditions that allow key varieties to shine and be expressive of their place of origin. Explore each region to find out more about their flagship varieties.

 

For more information on the Wines of Canada: https://winesofcanada.ca/

 

For more information on the Wines of British Columbia: https://winebc.com/

 

For more information on the Wines of Nova Scotia: https://winesofnovascotia.ca/

 

For more information on the Wines of Ontario: https://winecountryontario.ca/

 

For more information on the Wines of Quebec: https://vinsduquebec.com/