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Canada is still largely unknown as a wine country. Many think it is simply too cold — can wine even thrive there? It can do that, and the quality of Canadian wines impresses wine lovers all over the world. Above all, the “ice wine” stands out; nowhere else can it be produced consistently every year, simply due to climatic conditions. However, traditional wine is also produced on a considerable scale. Even though you may not (yet) be able to imagine it...

Cool and Sunny

That's how grapes love it

Canada's wine-growing regions are located between 30 and 50 degrees north latitude, a large part of which is geographically at the same altitude as Italian Chianti or French Languedoc. However, Canada's wine-growing climate is cooler and therefore perfect for most grape varieties. This is primarily due to the continental cold in winter and the unstable weather in early spring and at the end of the harvest season in autumn. The comparatively high number of hours of sunshine in Canada, some of which is significantly higher than that of German wine-growing regions, creates the climatic balance. Warm days and cold nights concentrate the aromas and thus create the fascinating characteristics of each individual variety.

Viticulture from East to West

The most important wine-growing regions include the Niagara Peninsula in southern Ontario and the Okanagan Valley in southern British Columbia, plus smaller growing areas in Québec and Nova Scotia. In total, wine-growing in Canada covers around 12,600 hectares, slightly larger in area than the Württemberg wine-growing region, and is home to almost 650 wineries.

The best way to taste Canada's wine diversity is, of course, on a tour of the vineyard and a tasting session by the respective winemaker. Feel free to check out our provincial pages or check out the official pages of the tourism authorities of the respective province.

The first wines were grown around 1811 by a Rhinelander in what is now Canada's largest wine-growing region, Ontario. The region's core varieties include Chardonnay and Riesling as well as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. In British Columbia, Canada's second-largest wine-growing region, grapes grow primarily for the production of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir. The third-largest region, Québec, specializes in producing exquisite, dry liquor, sparkling and sweet wines, made from a wide variety of hardy grape varieties. The smallest wine-growing region, Nova Scotia, produces a small, fine selection of table and dessert wines from hybrid grapes. They also specialize in producing excellent sparkling wines, which are also internationally recognized.