Signature Grapes

All New World wine regions have a signature grape. New world is defined by a wine growing region that outside of Europe. Europe is the Old World. Governed by rules and regulations that prohibit certain grapes to be grown in certain regions.

The New World doesn’t have these rules. If you are lucky enough to grow grapes in the New World, you can grow whatever you want.

However, for a variety of reasons, certain grapes have become synonymous with a particular region.

I’m looking at you Marlbourgh, New Zealand and your Sauvignon Blancs. One mention of Mendoza and out pours the Malbec. Or possibly the New World home to Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.

In each of these regions, there are any number of grape varieties grown. It is not fair to dismiss one region, or even an entire country, because you have had one wine from a particular region that you didn’t like.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone say they don’t like New Zealand wines because they have had one or two  Sauvignon Blancs that did not please their palate. The country is vast and has a wide range of wines to offer, from the Chardonnays in the north to the Pinot Noirs in the south, and many in between.

In Argentina, Malbec accounts for just over a third of the red grapes, but other grapes such as Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon and even Syrah all make exceptional wines.

And Napa is far more than just Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot, Zinfandel, and even Pinot Noir, shine too.

It is wrong to exclude an entire country from your glass after sampling only a fraction of wines they have to offer.

So what about Ontario? What is our signature grape?

There are a few that do really well and some that are gaining international attention.

In Niagara, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir and Cabernet Franc are common place and winning international awards.

Locally, there are two main grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Even though there are other grapes grown here and wonderful wines being made from them, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the two that this region is becoming known for. But Chardonnay is inching forward as the singular signature grape here.

Much of this has to do with the soil and climate, while the other part is that Chardonnay, compared to Pinot Noir, is relatively easier to grow. And once ripe, it is pretty much a blank slate for any winemaker yet has the ability to translate the flavour of the vineyard into the glass with aplomb. There is a reason that Chardonnays commands the highest price of any white wine in the world. More Meursault please. Or maybe some Montrachet if you’re buying.

The truth is, Chardonnay has the greatest potential of any white grape in Prince Edward County to showcase the wines of the region. And there are so many styles to choose from. Each still, or sparkling, is unique.

So get tasting, and explore the endless possibilities that are County Chardonnays and try to find the similarities in them that make it our signature grape.