Canada is a market that has grown exponentially in the last 20 years, since the switch to Vitis Vinifera and investment in new wineries.

In this episode, I talk to Rod Phillips Author of The Wines of Canada.
Rod offers amazing insights on the wines of key regions – Ontario on the centre-east of the country and the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia in the west. Two opposite realities, Ontario specialising in cool climate grapes ( Such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) and Okanagan Valley warm climate specialising in Bordeaux Varieties, Syrah and Pinot Gris.

We start by touching on the key dates of the development of Canadian wines. Rod is a world leader wine historian and I really enjoyed picking his brain and hearing about the fascinating history of the country’s wines.

Rod also explores some controversial techniques used in Quebec to produce Ice Wines, where grapes are cut and left in the proximity of the vine rather than on the vine.
The potential of Nova Scotia Traditional Method sparkling wines is also mentioned and the reality that Canada will probably never be a high-volume producer but will be a specialised boutique wine country, with lots of very good quality wines.

This episode is suitable for anyone who has some knowledge of the whereabouts of the regions,
and wants to learn more about Canadian wines.

Rod’s book The Wines of Canada, is a must-read on the region. It will be soon available on the Wine Bookshop on www.mattiascarpazza.com.

Some other useful links:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-canada
https://www.rodphillipsonwine.com/
https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/quebec-wine-lovers
https://winecountryontario.ca/
https://origins.wine/partners/british-columbia/

These following are affiliate links, it costs you nothing to use them but I get a small percentage when you buy something, so thanks!

The Wines of Canada https://amzn.to/3jUyfro

What I use to make the podcast:
Audio Interface: Zoom H6 https://amzn.to/3qnz7Ht
Microphone: Shure SM58 https://amzn.to/3bcfbAC
Boom Arm Mic Stand with Pop Filter: ShureSM7B https://amzn.to/3tWlMYR
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