Canada, the land of hockey, ice fishing, and poutine, produces award-winning wines. This northern neighbor boasts eight wine regions and approximately 500 Canadian wineries. The Niagara Peninsula Appellation in Ontario has two regional appellations: Niagara Escarpment and Niagara on the Lake.
Just 90 minutes from my home in Toronto, the Niagara Escarpment appellation has 57 wineries. While working for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), I picked the best Niagara wines for my dinner table. Cool-climate wines—chardonnay, cabernet franc, gamay noir, merlot, pinot noir, and riesling—take center stage. Limestone soils and the three Great Lakes provide the perfect conditions for grape growing.
Discover the best of Canadian wines with the insider’s guide to Niagara wines. Read on to explore top wineries, regions, and cool-climate grapes.