The best wines from Ontario in Canada

Ontario is the largest wine region in Canada. As much as 85% of the grapes are grown here. Ontario has a cool climate. Although it is a continental climate, with hot summers and very cold winters, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie provide a temperate effect on the vineyards. These large lakes retain the summer heat for the winter, reflect the sun and provide wind, which keeps the humidity at a constant level. Thanks to the lakes, wine growing in Ontario is still possible. Ontario is divided into three wine regions, Niagara Peninsula, Pelee Island and Lake Erie North Shore.

Niagara Peninsula

The Niagara Peninsula has a unique location, between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The region is of course best known for its waterfalls. The steep slopes of the waterfalls ensure continuous air currents in the adjacent wine regions. The sharp edges of the heat in the summers and dramatic frost in the winter are thus smoothed out. The temperate climate is therefore comparable to, for example, Burgundy. The grapes that are planted on the Niagara Peninsula are also known from Burgundy: mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You will therefore regularly find winemakers from Burgundy at work in the wineries. But the region is best known for its ice wines. These are mainly made from the native Vidal grape and Riesling.

Pelee Island

This region is located in Lake Erie. Compared to most wine regions in Canada, the growing season for the grapes here is somewhat longer. Favourable for viticulture, which was already commercially established in this small wine region in 1866.

Lake Erie North Shore

This region mainly has vinifera vines planted. The only vines of the labrusca are of the Vidal grape. This is used for ice wines and sparkling wines.