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Canadian vineyards utilize a blend of traditional vinification
methods and modern technology to focus on the structure,
balance and flavour of the wines they create. Canada is
internationally recognized for its character and uniqueness
of their Icewines, brands that are among Canada's
most popular wine exports.
Nestled in Ontario are some of Canada's finest wines.
VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) is recognized as a symbol
of quality for some of the finest wines produced in Canada.
Like the AOC designation in France, and the DOC in Italy
and the QMP in Germany, the VQA designation is your guarantee
that the Ontario wine you are drinking has been produced
to the highest standards.
The Canadian wine authorities imposed conditions that would
ensure that the wines would be of good quality. In Ontario,
Icewine must be made as a varietal wine and the grapes must
be picked at -8 degrees C or colder. Artificial freezing
is forbidden. Grapes must be harvested at a Brix level of
at least 32 in order to achieve Icewine designation. A high
quality Icewine will measure 40 - 42 Brix and these
levels usually dictate the price of Icewine. Brix is the
measurement of the sugar level of the juice.
Single-varietal reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
Franc and Merlot are carefully crafted through both traditional
and contemporary winemaking techniques. The wines are often
unfiltered, aged sur lie or given extensive barrel aging.
The result is wines that embody distinctive, big, bold new
world wines. Longer maceration of time (21 days) provides
deeper colour and an extra measure of tannins to give the
wine a solid backbone for body and aging.
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