The path
Some say that winemaking is the world's second oldest profession. Perhaps the secrets of winemaking are older
than recorded history . Recorded history first mentions wines around the year 1500BC, starting in Mesopotamia or
Caucasia. By the year 3000 BC it was in Greece and Italy by 1000 BC. The Greeks called Italy the Land of the Vines.
The Vikings landed in what is now called Newfoundland calling this new land Vinland.
The path to success of the vineyard in Canada was not an easy one.' You can't grow grapes in that cold climate'
was the prevailing attitude. But wait, Germany is a noted old world wine producer. Is it not at the same Latitude as Canada?
Canada is a huge country and true, most of its mainland lies north of the 50 latitude. True, most of Canada has long cold winters.
However the summers are warm and receive plenty of sunshine.
Canada has numerous microclimate regions that are excellent for producing fine wines. The warm breezes off the
Great Lakes provide the Ontario regions; most notable are the Niagara Peninsula and the Lake Erie North Shore with their microclimate.
In British Columbia we have the Okanagan Valley with the southern end being Canada's only true desert region.
Canada first attracted attention for its award winning Icewines. So favourable are the conditions for producing Icewines
that the country is the world's leading producer. Canada has proven it belongs in the international market winning its share of international competitions.
Its Whites are almost as famous as its Icewines with new strides being made every year with the Reds. The best is yet to come. January 2005 might just be the best year to date for Canada's Icewine
Visting Oliver and Area
Visiting Salt Spring Island Wineries
Bob's view updated January 6
Jost Vineyards Nova Scotia
Burrowing Owl Oliver BC
