Canadian Wine

13th November 2024

Canadian Wine

The French explorer by the name of Jacques Cartier, in 1535 sailed over to St. Lawrence River in Canada, where he discovered a massive collection of wild Grapes.

When we look at the first Vineyard planted in Canada, they settled in British Columbia, during the 1860s in the mesmerizing Okanagan Valley, we would have to wait until the 1930s before the first Winery would be established in that valley. The first Canadian Winery came sooner, by 1866 the first commercial winery opened, and by the start of the 1890s Canada would have seen 41 commercial Wineries in operation.

Canada produced over 56 million litres of wine per year, with over 600 wineries and more than 30,415 acres (12,309 hectares) of vines. 62% of the wine produced in Canada originates from the wine region of Ontario, with 33% coming from British Columbia.

Canadian Wine Regions:

  • Ontario
  • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Quebec
  • New Brunswick
  • Nova Scotia

The grapes grown in Canada:

  • Chardonnay
  • Riesling
  • Pinot Noir
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Baco Noir
  • Marechal Foch
  • Gamay
  • Gewürztraminer
  • Ehrenfelser
  • Sémillon
  • Kerner
  • Vidal blanc
  • Muscat Ottonel
  • Dornfelder
  • Léon Millot
  • Siegerrebe
  • Auxerrois blanc
  • Pinot Meunier
  • Seyval Blanc
  • Bacchus
  • Fox Grape
  • De Chaunac
  • Cayuga White
  • Frontenac

Oliver Walkey

Champagne and Sparkling Wine Writer, Focused on Bringing the Exciting and Fascinating World of Bubbly to You.