| In
Ontario, we grow a wide array of grapes for wine, juice, grape
products (jams, jellies, preserves) and fresh market consumption.
This diversity of production reflects the ability of Ontario
growers to meet market demands and provide a wide selection
of commercial cultivars (cultivated varieties) for use by
all sectors. It is important to understand the history of
grapes and the many species involved in Ontario grape production.
The world’s
highest quality wine grapes belong to a species of grapes
known as Vitis vinifera
(commonly referred to as Vinifera), which are native
to Europe. In Ontario, the majority of commercial wine grape
species are viniferas, and include varieties like Chardonnay,
Cabernet, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, etc.
European
hybrids (French, German and others),
which include Baco Noir, Seyval Blanc and Vidal, are also
native to Europe. Hybrids, which originate from two parent
vines, arose from breeding programs that sought to avoid having
to graft vinifera vines on phylloxera resistant rootstocks
while keeping the flavour characteristics and quality of European
varieties. While less popular than "pure" vinifera
varieties, hybrids have their place in winemaking. Vidal,
for example, is the main grape cultivar used for Icewine production
in Ontario. Its thicker skin, tendency for fruit to remain
on the cluster without falling off well into winter, cold
hardiness and flavour profile make it an ideal grape for our
famous dessert wine.
Native
North American vines belong to the species known as
Vitis labrusca,
and include such varieties as Concord and Niagara. These typically
produce the best juices, jams, jellies and preserves, and
are not used in winemaking in Ontario.
In Ontario,
additional species exist, including Vitis riparia (the Riverbank
grape), and others which are used for rootstock selection
and breeding (Vitis rupestris, Vitis berlandieri, Vitis aestivalis,
Vitis champinii and other species).
Grape
berry color is usually classified as green, pink/red, or blue.
Grapes with green berries at maturity can range in color from
light green to amber which includes Riesling, Chardonnay and
Niagara. Pink/Red cultivars have berries that vary from pink
to deep red, and their colouration may vary with their stage
of ripeness and their exposure to sunlight. Examples of this
are Gewürtztraminer, Pinot Gris and Vanessa seedless.
The blue range includes types like Merlot, Cabernet Franc
and New York Muscat, which have a reddish-blue color.
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