As interest in locally made products continues to increase, adventurous consumers can look beyond the usual suspects – chardonnay, riesling and pinot grigio – and embrace the diversity of white wines available from Canadian vineyards. British Columbia, Ontario and elsewhere are home to an assortment of cultivated varieties, selected for suitability to the growing conditions and marketability. Many different varieties have been auditioned as growers and winemakers sought to emulate popular European or Californian wine styles. Here are some unexpected local white wines to seek out.
Aligoté
Crisp, refreshing and inexpensive, Château des Charmes Aligoté has been a staple at the Niagara-on-the-Lake winery and on LCBO shelves for decades. Made in an unoaked style, this edgy white wine typically suggests a mix of apple and pear with a refreshing finish that makes it a great warm weather selection. It’s great to see Niagara newcomer MW Cellars also feature aligoté as part of its portfolio.
Pinot Blanc
A close relation to pinot noir and pinot gris, pinot blanc was popularized by winemakers in the Alsace region of France where it is used to produce blended white wines as well as 100 per cent varietal wines. That’s also true for Canadian producers who are working with the small amount of pinot blanc cultivated. The flavour profile typically reveals citrus, apple and pear flavours as part of a bright and fresh white wine. Some producers rely on barrel fermentation and aging to add more richness to their wines. Producers to watch: Konzelmann and MW Cellars in Ontario. Blue Mountain, Covert Farms, Gray Monk, Hester Creek, and Wild Goose in British Columbia.
Viognier
The fragrant and full-bodied character of viognier makes it stand out. A mix of powerful peach, apricot and honeysuckle flavours combined with a creamy texture often results in a wine that’s similar to chardonnay, but with more depth of flavour and richness due to higher alcohol contents and lower acidity. The popularity of examples from its native France as well as South Australia and California has inspired a surge in plantings around the world. Producers to watch: 13th Street, Black Bank Hill, Creekside, Meldville and Palantine Hills in Ontario. Blasted Church, Burrowing Owl, Church & State, Moon Curser and Tinhorn Creek in British Columbia.
