Ontario is one of the largest wine-producing regions in Canada with over 180 wineries, accounting for roughly 71% of total Canadian wine production. Ontario produces-class wines rom well-know grape varieties including Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.  

This fall, taste your way through these delicious wines.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay, the world’s most recognized and widely planted white grape, is especially well adapted to a wide range of latitudes, climates, soils, and, luckily, developing Canadian winemaking in recent years.

Ontario produces the best Chardonnay. On the limestone-laced soils of Ontario, the grape reaches its pinnacle.

The following is a list of the best Chardonnay wines: 

• Bachelder Wismer-Foxcroft Nord Chardonnay 2018
• Seaglass Chardonnay 2020
• Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay 2017
• Kin Vineyards Carp Ridge Chardonnay 2018
• LIGHTFOOT & WOLFVILLE ANCIENNE CHARDONNAY 2017
• MISSION HILL PERPETUA 2018
• QUAILS’ GATE ROSEMARY’S BLOCK CHARDONNAY 2018
• LEANING POST-SENCHUK VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018

 

Riesling

Riesling is an aromatic white wine vine that produces a floral wine with fruit notes. The riesling grape was first grown around the Rhine River, which extends through Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. It ages well, it’s a well-known food-pairing wine, but most importantly, it’s delicious.

Riesling is utilized in 17% of Ontario’s total production each year.

These are the top-rated Riesling wines from Canada:

• Pearl Morissette Irrévérence 2019
• Tawse Riesling Quarry Road 2020
• Fielding Riesling 2019, Niagara Peninsula
• Inniskillin Niagara Estate Vidal & Riesling Icewine 2012
• Trove Riesling Moscato

 

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc is a popular French wine grape variety with dark skin.

Cabernet Franc has proven to be quite resilient and produces high-quality wines in a range of climates. This hints at its wide variety of tastes.

It is presently the most planted red grape variety in Ontario, accounting for approximately 11% of total production, well ahead of the next most cultivated red grapes, merlot (7%) and cabernet sauvignon (6.8%). As a result, it is Ontario that has pioneered the cabernet franc, even if the wine remains mostly unknown to most consumers.

These outstanding examples of Ontario cabernet franc can make your red wine search easier: 

• Thirty Bench 2016 ‘Small Lot’ Cabernet Franc
• Two Sisters 2016 Cabernet Franc
• Two Sisters Cabernet Franc 2017
• Leaning Post 2017 Cabernet Franc
• The Foreign Affair 2017 L’Eredita
• Echo Bay Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2018
• Mission Hill Family Estate Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc 2019

 

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir has become the red grape of choice for several quality-conscious Canadian winemakers over the last 30 years. It grows best in cool areas with a wide range of clay and limestone soils. It is well-known all across the world and it’s easy to understand why it’s appealing.

The following is a list of exquisite, pure-fruited Pinot Noirs;

 

• Blue Mountain Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir 2019
• Da Silva Vineyards Pinot Noir 2018
• Martin’s Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
• Martin’s Lane Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
• Mirabel Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016
• Pearl Morissette 2015 Twenty Mile Bench Niagara Vineyards Pinot Noir
• Norman Hardie 2013 Prince Edward County Unfiltered County Pinot Noir
• Bachelder 2013 St. David’s Bench Lowrey Vineyard Pinot Noir

 

What is your favourite Wine?

Source: https://winecountryontario.ca/