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Niagara
Wines, VQA Wines, Ice Wine
Ice Wine is the most popular among Niagara Wines. Find the list of VQA Wines, made from the Highest Quality Grapes grown in Niagara
The main grape varieties used for wines made in Niagara
Niagara peninsula is beautiful place and home to numerous wineries and picturesque vineyards.
Wines made in Niagara used to come from native
grape
varieties like V.
Labrusca that made mostly unpleasant table wines. Introducing and
successfully started growing European species or vines like Vitis
Vinifera; Niagara and Canadian wine production became a new model for
successful
industry.Wine and vine growers had been encouraged by provincial legislation, supported for development of better quality grapes, in order to elevate the quality of Ontario and Canadian wines.
The main grape varieties responsible for Niagara wines success are:
- Chardonnay - the most planted V. Vinifera white grape that originates from Burgundy region in France.
- Riesling - a German variety white grapes
- Gewurztraminer - produced from white grapes
- Sauvignon Blanc - produced from white grapes
- Pinot Gris - produced from white grapes
- Auxerrois - produced from white grapes
- Cabernet Franc - produced from red grapes
- Merlot - produced from red grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon - produced from red grapes
- Pinot Noir - produced from red grapes
- Gamay Noir - produced from red grapes
- Syrah or Shiraz - produce from red grapes
- Vidal - French hybrids
- Baco Noir - French hybrids
- Marechal Foch - French hybrids
Wines that are made from specific grape varieties usually suit regional conditions, but what makes a winery and its wine unique is the winemaker's art who combines different grape varieties.
Buying Tip: Choose wines with VQA stamp on the bottle.
VQA stands for Vintners Quality Alliance, confirmation that you are choosing quality wines of origin. The VQA stamp on the bottle allows you and other consumers to trace and track the origins of the place from which the wine was grown.
All the grapes used in Niagara wines must be grown in Canada with no less than 85% from permitted grapes grown in Ontario.
This wine must be approved by a provincial tasting panel and meet all VQA standards, like ripeness level, grape varieties...
The Niagara Peninsula has the largest planted area of all viticultural areas in Ontario and Canada, with over 32 thriving varietals across 13,600 acres.
Thanks to the almost ideal growing conditions with unique microclimate, rich and fertile land and proximity of two lakes, wine grapes are produced with more complexity and intense flavor that other even warmer regions.
Great selection of Niagara Wines
The majority of all the wines produced in Niagara region and Ontario are dry to medium dry table wines, made from over 40 grape varieties.
Late harvest wines are usually medium dry to sweet and concentrated in flavor. These wines are made from grapes that are harvested after the regular season.
Many of the VQA Niagara wines can be purchased through the wine stores like LCBO in Ontario and Canada, winery boutiques and online, through their websites. Special and private series that showcase the best of the varietals, grown in Niagara, aged in the barrel and in small and limited quantities are also available, but for higher prices.
Popular Dessert Wines:
- Riesling Icewine
- Vidal Icewine
- Chardonnay Icewine
- Semillon Icewine
- Cabernet Franc Icewine
Popular Red Wines:
- Malbec
- Puncheon Pinot
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Meritage
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Shiraz
Popular White Wines:
- Chardonnay
- Dry Riesling
- Gewürztraminer
- Vidal
- White Meritage
- Pinot Grigio
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Unoaked Chardonnay
- Viognier
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