COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Ontario VQA Riesling is naturally higher in acidity vs. other white wines (think: freshly squeezed lemon juice). Ontario’s cool climate helps keep that acidity intact and will make your lips pucker and your mouth water.

TERROIR

Don’t lie, you have a favourite brand of water.
It’s probably because of the minerals that are (or aren’t) in that water. Ontario’s soil can have the same effect on its wines, and that minerality makes one Riesling unique from the next. Just like you found your favourite water, your favourite Riesling is out there.

FUN FACT

With such a sunny disposition, of course people assume Riesling is always sweet. But, Riesling can sometimes be bone dry, too.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Rosé can be made from any red grape, but in Ontario you’ll find a lot of Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Pinot Noir.
As we’ve mentioned numerous times (sorry not sorry) these red grapes thrive in Ontario’s cool climate.

TERROIR

Okay, so rosé isn’t a grape; it’s a style. And, boy, does rosé ever have style. Ontario’s wine regions offer a variety of unique characteristics that define this style, including soil, weather and geography.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it, right?

FUN FACT

DYK—if you squeeze a red grape, the juice that comes out is clear? By soaking the skin of the red grape with the juice you get that trademark rosy hue. Like a tea bag soaking in water, the longer it soaks the darker the colour.
Sweet or dry, whichever you’d prefer, Ontario VQA rosé slays.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Ontario summers have warm days and cool nights. Perfect conditions for a date night and for preventing over ripeness.

TERROIR

A hybrid grape—with a French mom and an American dad—Baco Noir was literally conceived to withstand Ontario’s tough growing conditions.

FUN FACT

Try Ontario VQA Baco Noir if you like international reds such as Italy’s Primitivo or California’s Zinfandel (emphasis on red Zinfandel, not the pink fruity stuff).

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Champagne and Prosecco get all the glory, but what about me?
Bubbles? Zesty? Fancy?
Ontario’s cool climate is essential for making quality bubbly, and, oh baby, you know how cool I am.

TERROIR

Usually among the first grapes to be harvested. They save the best for first (that’s how the saying goes, right?). Ironically, Sparkling is also used to celebrate when the harvest wraps up. That’s how we do in Ontario, baby.

FUN FACT

Pros of Ontario VQA sparkling wine:
1. Top-tier quality (we’re talking Champagne quality, y’all) in a variety of styles and prices.
2. Can make any moment instantly feel fancy.
3. Has bubbles.

Cons of Ontario VQA sparkling wine:
1. No notes.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Cool Climate Wine = Lower sugar, lower alcohol, higher acidity. Fresh vibes.

TERROIR

Limestone-rich clay and sandy loam soil give this grape its unique character. The minerality and complexity is influenced by location of the vineyard. Oops, did we lose you after all that soil and mineral talk?
Sorry… in summary, Ontario VQA Pinot Gris/Grigio = very good.

FUN FACT

What’s the difference?
Pinot Grigio/Gris: same grape, different styles. The difference is in the winemaking style and Ontario VQA rocks them both.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Ontario’s weather is as unpredictable as your weekend plans (looking at you, Sagittarius). Blending multiple grapes helps keep the wine consistent from year to year, no matter what Mother Nature throws at us.

TERROIR

Winemaker’s choose to blend grapes to layer complexity and flavour. Each grape prefers a different soil type, bringing their own vibe to the mix.

FUN FACT

Spoiler! There is no grape called Cabernet Merlot. A common Ontario VQA blend that makes up Cabernet Merlot is Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Think of it like Cabernet + Merlot.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Gamay’s green flag? Refreshing acidity. The more sun a grape gets, the less acidity it has. Luckily, Ontario isn’t a year-round sun fest—a sad but true fact if you love the beach, buuuuut great news for Gamay.

TERROIR

Gamay picks up unique flavours wherever it’s grown. Like that friend who’s cool in any crowd and can chat away with anyone at the table (including the weird uncle at family dinners).

FUN FACT

Gamay can be served chilled. If you’re a red wine drinker, drink Gamay. If you’re a white wine drinker but want to be a red wine drinker, drink Gamay. How does that work? We don’t know but it’s probably because of science.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

If you’re used to drinking heavy, high alcohol red wines (read: Aussie Shiraz), making the switch to cool climate Pinot Noir can be a shock to your taste buds for the first few sips. If you’re looking for something complex, sessionable and sophisticated, it’s worth making the switch to Ontario VQA Pinot Noir.

TERROIR

Depending on the region, the aging process and the winemaking techniques used, Ontario VQA Pinot Noir has a full range of styles and prices from budget to bougie.

FUN FACT

They don’t call Pinot Noir the heartbreak grape for nothin’. Growing conditions must be absolutely perfect, like a house plant. But with high risk comes high reward, which is why Ontario producers love to take the chance.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

No shade to California girls (shoutout to Katy Perry), but Ontario’s cool climate Chardonnay has a natural complexity that doesn’t need an oak barrel to shine. Think of Ontario VQA Chardonnay as that natural beauty, and the oak barrel as the glam accessory that takes it up a notch.

TERROIR

Like how you and your bestie find the fun wherever you are, Ontario VQA Chardonnay finds a way to thrive wherever it’s grown. The ultimate adaptable queen. Limestone clay mask anyone?

FUN FACT

A going-out top or an oversized hoodie—Ontario VQA Chardonnay serves in both.

COOL [CLIMATE] FACT

Got plans tonight? You know Cabernet Sauvignon is still trying on outfits. But Cabernet Franc? Ready to go in no time! In Ontario, winters don’t mess around, so quicker ripening means less drama. Cabernet Franc’s all about beating the clock and keeping it chill in our cool climate. Always on point, always on time.

TERROIR

The most famous wine regions in the world are near water. California, Bordeaux, Piedmont? Oceans, rivers, lakes. Thanks to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie for keeping things not too hot and not too cold. Like Goldilocks!

FUN FACT

Ontario produces single varietal Cabernet Franc instead of blending it like most of the wine world. Why? Cabernet Franc thrives in Ontario, showing off those savoury, herby, berry, notes. Savherberry, if you will (we just made that up, feel free to use it).