Twenty-four locally grown grape varieties, including 16 new hybrids, have joined the list of approved wine grapes by the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority. The new additions were embraced by the regulatory body for their ability to produce quality wine as well as their resistance to extreme cold temperatures and lower dependence on chemical treatments like fertilizers and pesticides.
The growth in the category aims to provide consumers with more choice and support innovation by introducing new varieties and wine styles to the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) appellation system. VQA ensures consumers that wines are authentically Ontario-grown and meet specific quality benchmarks.
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Coffin Ridge Vineyard & Winery produces wine made from grape hybrids frontenac and l’acadie from its estate.Coffin Ridge Vineyard & Winery/Supplied
Every bottle marketed under the VQA system has been tasted by an independent panel to determine whether the wine is a quality representative of its grape variety or style and will meet consumer expectation based on the label.
New European vinifera varieties include barbera and dolcetto, red wine grapes popular in Italy’s Piedmont region, and roussanne, cultivated in southern France and often blended with grenache blanc, marsanne and viognier. Approved hybrids — varieties created by crossing European and American grape species — include cabernet foch, l’acadie blanc, lucie kuhlmann, petite pearl and traminette, are especially useful in emerging regions, such as Georgian Bay, Norfolk and Haldimand Counties.
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Due to their parentage with native American grape species, hybrid varieties often have increased resistance to diseases and pests that commonly affect European grapevines. As grape growing and winemaking continues to embrace sustainability measures, hybrids are presented as a practical choice for a changing climate. The question is whether these obscure grapes will attract consumer attention?
Hybrid varieties often have increased resistance to diseases and pests that commonly affect European grapevines.Coffin Ridge Vineyard & Winery/Supplied
The provincial winemaking authority regulates specific geographic regions within Ontario where grapes are grown and which grapes are authorized for wines produced under VQA regulations. The current list includes 82 vinifera varieties and 27 hybrids. Albariño, a white vinifera variety that thrives in Portugal and Spain, is currently under consideration.
Established wine producers in Niagara have identified cabernet franc, chardonnay, gamay, pinot noir and riesling as core vinifera varieties, with baco noir and vidal (for ice wine) also proving to be popular hybrids. Those vinifera varieties aren’t as likely to thrive and survive in other parts of the province, which is where the specially bred varieties, including l’acadie blanc and lucie kuhlmann, can meet the needs of adventurous growers an offer alternatives to wine lovers looking to taste wines that offer the shock of the new.
