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Let’s meet our ten most eligible Ontario VQA wines, each with their own unique personality and flavour. These heroes are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg! To get the full picture of how diverse and amazing Ontario’s VQA wines are, visit one of the wineries in our wine regions.

Just want to plan your trip to Wine Country? Hit the link.

Pleasure
to meet you

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Ontario VQA
Riesling

@winecountryont

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

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.

I'm Ontario VQA
Riesling

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Riesling

Sure, I might seem sweet at first, but my dry sense of humour and refreshing acidity make me the perfect companion for any cuisine—like a lime sorbet at a fancy restaurant, but better.

LIKES
Eye wateringly spicy food

DISLIKES
Warm weather

Pleasure
to meet you

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Ontario VQA
Rosé

@winecountryont

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

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.

I'm Ontario VQA
Rosé

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Rosé

Sometimes I’m sweet, sometimes I’m not-so-sweet, but always bursting with avour. Enjoy me all year round when you feel like a burst of sunshine in your mouth.

LIKES
Freestyle dance

DISLIKES
Gossip

Pleasure
to meet you

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Ontario VQA
Baco Noir

@winecountryont

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

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).

I'm Ontario VQA
Baco Noir

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Baco Noir

Picture this: a flannel blanket, a roaring fire, and chocolatey, toasty s’mores. That’s me… in a glass. If you could pour a camp re in a glass and drink it, would you? Not literally of course. Unless…?

LIKES
Outdoor grillin’

DISLIKES
Costume parties

Pleasure
to meet you

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Ontario VQA
Sparkling

@winecountryont

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

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.

I'm Ontario VQA
Sparkling

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Sparkling

Made in larger batches for a fun, fruity fizz or smaller batches for a refined complex, sparkle. I bring excitement and effervescence every where I go—there’s no such thing as too much sparkle in my world!

LIKES
Top hats

DISLIKES
Libraries

Pleasure
to meet you

pleasuretomeetyou.ca

I'm Ontario VQA
Pinot Grigio/Gris

@winecountryont

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

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.