Discovering Canadian wine: Homegrown alternative to American wine imports

Canadian wine

Canada boasts a diverse and thriving wine industry, offering high-quality alternatives to popular American wines across various styles and varietals.

Here are some Canadian-made wines that serve as excellent counterparts to best-selling American selections, with options for those that love a good Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Riesling or Shiraz.

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Canadian Chardonnay

• Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay (Niagara Peninsula, Ontario): This Chardonnay has received critical acclaim, notably winning the top spot for Chardonnay in the "Judgement of Montreal" experts’ tasting.
• Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Chardonnay (Okanagan Valley, British Columbia): Known for its balanced acidity and notes of apple and citrus, this wine offers a refined alternative to Californian Chardonnays.

Canadian Cabernet Sauvignon

• Inniskillin Cabernet Sauvignon (Niagara Peninsula, Ontario): Inniskillin, renowned for its icewines, also produces a robust Cabernet Sauvignon with rich berry flavours and a smooth finish.
• Fort Berens Cabernet Sauvignon (Lillooet, British Columbia): This wine presents dark fruit flavours with subtle tannins, reflecting the unique terroir of British Columbia.

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Canadian Pinot Noir

• Norman Hardie County Pinot Noir (Prince Edward County, Ontario): Celebrated for its Burgundian style, this Pinot Noir offers earthy undertones and bright cherry notes, comparable to esteemed Oregon Pinots.
• Quails' Gate Pinot Noir (Okanagan Valley, British Columbia): A well-structured wine with flavours of red berries and a hint of spice, providing an excellent alternative to Californian Pinot Noirs.

Canadian Merlot

• Tawse Winery Merlot (Niagara Peninsula, Ontario): This Merlot delivers plum and blackberry flavours with a velvety texture, rivalling popular Washington State Merlots.
• Burrowing Owl Merlot (Okanagan Valley, British Columbia): Known for its rich palate and smooth tannins, this Merlot stands as a distinguished Canadian counterpart.

Canadian Riesling

• Thirty Bench Small Lot Riesling (Niagara Peninsula, Ontario): Offering a crisp acidity with notes of green apple and citrus, this Riesling is akin to esteemed American versions from the Finger Lakes region.
• Tantalus Vineyards Riesling (Okanagan Valley, British Columbia): This wine showcases vibrant acidity and mineral undertones, comparable to top-tier American Rieslings.

Canadian Syrah/Shiraz

• Black Hills Syrah (Okanagan Valley, British Columbia): With bold flavours of dark fruit and pepper, this Syrah mirrors the intensity found in acclaimed Californian Syrahs.
• Pillitteri Estates Winery Shiraz Icewine (Niagara Peninsula, Ontario): An innovative take on Shiraz, this icewine offers a sweet yet spicy profile, unique to Canadian winemaking.

Bottom line

These selections highlight the quality and diversity of Canadian wines, providing excellent alternatives to popular American varietals. Availability may vary by region and retailer; it's advisable to consult local wine merchants or provincial liquor boards for specific offerings.

Support local and sip the finest homegrown alternatives today!

Sources

1. Wine Enthusiast: It’s Nearly Impossible to Get Canadian Wine in the U.S. Here’s Why (May 8, 2023)

2. GuildSomm: Canada’s Wine Market: A Complicated Mosaic

3. RedFlagDeals Forum: Canadian Wine (July 20, 2023)