Is there a new Ontario wine region we don’t know about? Ask The Wine Ladies.
Dear Wine Ladies,
My husband and I always try to support our own Ontario wines and discovered recently an Ontario wine that came from an area we had no idea made wine. Most familiar with the Viticultural Areas and Prince Edward County regions we were surprised when a friend brought over a wine from the Oak Ridges Moraine just north of Toronto. Is this a new wine region? Are there others that perhaps just don’t get the attention the well known regions receive?
Sarah, Burlington, Ontario
Ask The Wine Ladies- Please submit your questions to info@thewineladies.com
Dear Cindy,
The landscape for wine grape growing in Ontario is definitely evolving however to date, there are still just the three primary Viticultural Areas or appellations of origin which are the Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore and Prince Edward County.
There are several emerging wine regions though of which the Oak Ridges Moraine is one. According to Wine Country Ontario a few of the promising areas include the eastern Erie shore near Long Point. Summer temperatures are slightly warmer than in Niagara. You mentioned just north of Toronto on the Oak Ridges Moraine where in fact several vineyards have already yielded VQA wines.
Close to Georgian Bay there are also vineyards planted as well. Finally near Prince Edward County in the Northumberland Hills you can also find several vineyards.
Some of the reasons for this expansion into new areas is due to the research being conducted in viticulture, the experience growers are gaining in understanding the “terroir” and also the consumer interest in general.
We have had the pleasure to visit, or are familiar with are Willow Springs Winery producing VQA wines, located in Stouffville. Burning Kiln Winery in Norfolk County with award winning winemaker Andrzej Lipinski at the helm. Finally The Georgian Hills Vineyards that include grapes growing on the hills overlooking Georgian Bay. On Canada Day why not explore the beautiful bounty Ontario has to offer in your wine glass, cheers!
The Wine Ladies
Georgia and Susanne
Please submit your questions to Georgia and Susanne to info@thewineladies.com