The vast selection of Ontario Wines offer a perfect choice for any occasion - the hard part is deciding which ones to try. But before choosing a grape variety (see Great Grapes for help with that), start by taking a look at the different styles of Ontario Wines:

Table Wines:

There are three classifications of table wines:

1. Varietals

   : a wine made from one grape variety (e.g.: Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, etc.). VQA standards state that a wine must contain at least 85% of the grape variety printed on the label, but in practice this figure is closer to 100%. There are three types of varietal wines: a) single varietal (e.g.: one grape variety); b) dual varietal (two grape varieties), and c) triple varietal (three grape varietals).

2. Blended:

   a wine made from blending of several grape varieties. Blending is a means of improving the overall character of a wine by complementing the different characteristics of different varieties.

3. Meritage (rhymes with heritage):

   a wine blended in the style of Bordeaux red and white wines, made from two or more grape varieties.

Sparkling Wines:

Although "wine with bubbles" is often generically called "champagne", only the wine producers in Champagne, France can legally use this term for their wine. In Ontario we use the term "Sparkling Wines", offering both white and rosé.

Dessert Wines:

Dessert wines are sweeter than table wines, with richer and riper flavours. Dessert wines are differentiated from table wines because the grapes have been left on the vine until well after the normal picking date (Late Harvest Dessert Wines) or harvested after the first snowfalls, to make even richer, sweeter wines.

Icewine:

Ontario is known for producing exceptional Icewines. Icewine is the result of grapes that have hung on the vine throughout the autumn and early winter, transforming the grapes' flavours into a super-concentrated richness. When the temperature reaches -8° C, the grapes are hand-picked in the still of the night and immediately pressed while frozen, resulting in wine that is rare and unrivalled.