Canada in the Glass: the country that won me over through wine (and so much more!)

It was not just maple syrup or cinematic landscapes that caught me by surprise!

Canada has been winning me over slowly, and in a very unexpected way: through the glass.

The more I explore this country that is cold on the outside and deeply passionate on the inside, the more I fall in love with its wines, its almost secret terroirs, and the delicate, yet confident way producers here turn cold into poetry.

Yes, the famous icewine is only the beginning. Between glacial lakes, aromatic forests, and hidden valleys, you find wines with vibrant, elegant souls. Wines that deliver freshness, texture, perfectly balanced acidity, and an honesty that truly moves you. It feels as if Canadian terroir speaks directly to the taster, in a language that blends technical precision with a generous soul.

Wine regions that deserve your passport

Okanagan Valley – British Columbia

This is where I first realized that Canada truly knows how to make wine with soul.

Okanagan feels like something out of a dream, at least one of mine. A deep blue lake surrounded by mountains that shift colors throughout the day, vineyards spreading like green blankets, and a silence broken only by leaves dancing in the wind. The climate is generous: warm days and cool nights that help preserve vibrant acidity. And you feel it in the glass. Chardonnays here show a beautiful buttery elegance without losing freshness, which I absolutely love, and Pinot Noirs are pure silk with a subtle touch of spice.

Similkameen Valley – British Columbia

Similkameen is a destination that seems to whisper to those searching for authenticity. It is more rustic, raw, and visceral, and perhaps that is exactly why it is so captivating. The wines have grip and character. Rocky soils, drier heat, and vineyards that seem to root themselves straight into stone. The result? Reds with strong personality and whites with a saline, mineral edge that almost makes you salivate. These wines are not about flashy luxury. They represent true luxury: deep connection to the land.

Niagara Peninsula – Ontario

Crossing the country, the Niagara Peninsula is pure charm. The proximity to the Great Lakes gives the region a unique, moderate, and humid climate, ideal for sensitive grapes like Riesling and for the sweet star of the region: Vidal, used in the iconic icewines.

Prince Edward County – Ontario

This region breathes delicacy. Breezes from Lake Ontario, limestone soils reminiscent of Chablis, and a vibrant wine scene driven by young, creative producers make it a haven for those seeking wines with strong identity.

The Pinot Noirs I tasted there carry an elegant earthy nuance, like dry leaves on an autumn trail, while the Chardonnays show tension, minerality, and crispness. Everything feels crafted with lightness and intention.

Nova Scotia – where bubbles are born from the cold

If Canada is already surprising as a producer of still wines, Nova Scotia is stepping into the spotlight as a new destination for elegant, precise sparkling wines.

Located on the far eastern edge of the country, the region combines Atlantic breezes, a cool climate, and mineral soils that create perfect conditions for grapes like L’Acadie Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

The style here is all about freshness and finesse. Sparkling wines are made using the traditional method, with very fine bubbles, vibrant acidity, and notes of crisp green apple, Sicilian lemon, and freshly toasted brioche. Benjamin Bridge stands out as one of the region’s stars, with labels already compared to top Champagne producers, yet with a soul that is entirely Canadian. A true luxury!

Grape varieties that shine in the cold

Canada’s climate favors short cycle grapes with naturally high acidity. Some of the standouts include:

• Vidal: the queen of icewine, concentrating sugar while maintaining freshness.Riesling: versatile, expressive, mineral, and full of life.

• Chardonnay: ranging from fresh and citrus driven to elegant barrel aged styles.

• Pinot Noir: delicate, aromatic, and increasingly refined.

• Cabernet Franc: a growing success in Ontario, with an elegant, herbal profile.

• Syrah and Merlot: gaining body and depth in British Columbia, especially in Okanagan.

  
  

Icewine: Canada’s treasure, and one I am completely in love with

Canadian icewine is much more than a dessert wine, at least in my view. It is a masterpiece of the cold. Grapes are harvested naturally frozen, usually at minus eight degrees Celsius or lower, and pressed immediately, releasing a concentrated juice with vibrant acidity. The result is a dense, sweet yet perfectly balanced wine, with aromas of apricot, mango, quince, and honey. Inniskillin’s Vidal Icewine is a global icon, but wineries like Peller Estates and Pillitteri also produce stunning examples.

Canadian terroir: when cold becomes liquid poetry

The secret behind Canadian wine lies in the delicate dance between cold and light.

Summers are short, yes, but they bring long, sun filled days, while cool nights preserve acidity in the grapes. This thermal contrast gives local wines their vibrant and elegant signature. The influence of crystal clear lakes and icy oceans softens temperature extremes, allowing for slow, patient, almost meditative ripening. In the soils, a rich mix of limestone, clay, and gravel adds texture, minerality, and an identity that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

The result? Wines with technical precision, a wild soul, and a sensitivity that moves you.

Bottles that tell stories of winter, resilience, and passionate small producers. Canadian wine is anything but obvious, and that is exactly why it is so captivating to me.

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