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There
are just over 400 acres of vineyards in southwestern Ontario,
located along a peninsula that wraps around the north shore
of Lake Erie. The waters of Lake Erie, the Detroit River and
Lake St. Clair surround this peninsula. The moderating effect
of the climate, and its location along the 42nd north parallel
(similar to that of French Riviera, Northern California, southern
France and Madrid, Spain) gives Lake Erie North Shore the
highest accumulation of heat units in Ontario each summer.
This contributes to the high sugars and moderate acid levels
of the grape.
The grape-growing
area stretches along the bow-shaped shoreline of Lake Erie
from Amherstburg to Leamington, with more vineyards around
the town of Blenheim to the east.
With
its southern exposure complemented by the moderating effect
of the lake, and an abundance of sunshine, Lake Erie North
Shore experiences an earlier harvest than other parts of Ontario
and produces excellent wines.
For more information on this region, visit the Southwestern Ontario Vintners Association |
