in Ontario Wine Regions Understanding the Potential and the Risks

Grape Varieties in Ontario Wine Regions Understanding the Potential and the Risks (AMENDED JANUARY 2013)

Site Considerations in Growing Grapes Climatic conditions are the key consideration in grape growing including: Growing Grapes in Ontario s Cool Climate Growing grapes in Ontario has some unique challenges but many are no different than in other commercial wine growing regions. Climatic risks and cultivar sensitivity for each individual location need to be considered when assessing which wine grape to grow. ΏΏ Length of Growing Season ΏΏ Heat Summation ΏΏ Incidence of Frost ΏΏ Winter Temperature Extremes Ontario Designated Viticulture Areas (DVAs) generally experience adequate precipitation, although rain during fruit maturation can result in fruit loss due to splitting, botrytis bunch rot, sour rot or insect-mediated volatile acidity problems, while inadequate growing season precipitation may lead to vine stress and as a consequence cause reduced yields, increased pest pressure and potentially compromise wine flavour and vine health. Soil is an important component of vineyard site selection but it is not as limiting as climate; grapevines can be grown successfully on many different soils. Soil texture, structure, depth and drainage will all influence vineyard production systems, with different management strategies required based on site soil characteristics. Where vine vigour potential is high, more vineyard inputs in terms of training systems, shoot positioning, hedging and other cultural practices are required. Pg.3

A n excellent vineyard site would be one where the hazards of winter injury and frost damage (spring and/or fall) are minimal. An adequate site would be defined as being more prone to these risks. Site Characteristics Regional climatic conditions, vineyard site quality/potential, and general cultivar characteristics determine the relative suitability/risk of establishing alternative cultivars at a given site. Sites where normal grape maturity coincides with the natural decline of the growing season will result in the highest quality fruit. Site quality is more significant for winter tender and/or late season cultivars. Many established vinifera plantings on good sites do not require much intervention during the growing season or the dormant period, but plantings in more marginal vineyard sites require costly additional management. In general, sites of the highest quality have a long, warm growing season with limited winter injury risk and can support a wide range of cultivars. Sites with cool conditions and prone to winter injury are more limited in the choice of suitable cultivars. Depending on site conditions, some vineyards may also have more associated costs due to excess vine vigour, high disease pressure, necessary crop level adjustment, frost/winter protection, winter injury and other management/compensation strategies. In many vineyard sites, wind machines are used to mitigate critical minimum temperatures that may occur during the winter and help make a vineyard site more suitable for cold tender or frost prone cultivars. Marginal vineyard locations normally result in more costs, especially in extreme situations where winter injury is chronic and there is a need to bury canes and drastically reduce yields to ensure maturity. Pg.5

C u l t i v a r Selection The main limiting factor for profitable commercial wine grape production in Canada is vine cold hardiness. Cultivars that are selected must survive the winter months with no substantial winter injury, four seasons out of every five. Therefore cold hardiness of the chosen cultivar should match to the expected minimum winter temperatures of the site. M any vinifera cultivars that originated in traditional cool climate wine regions adapt well to our growing seasons and cold winters. Most vinifera varieties command higher prices than hybrid varieties. However, high crop value must be weighed against their generally inferior cold hardiness and disease tolerance relative to hybrid varieties. Site selection is still critical for vinifera, even if winter protection strategies are used (wind machines, burying canes or whole vines). Existing plantings of traditional cool climate cultivars such as Chardonnay and Riesling have demonstrated success across Ontario. They have been both profitable and have achieved international recognition for their wine quality. Many other cultivars can be grown with the same success both horticulturally and oenologically, but some will always be more difficult. These can only be grown successfully with excellent site conditions and rigourous viticultural practices. Certain cultivars will always be more expensive to grow than others (i.e. Pinot Noir) as they require more exacting management, especially in a less than desirable vineyard location, but they may command more value as a finished product. Pg.7

O n t a r i o Designated Viticultural Areas Ontario has defined THREE DVAs: Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore (LENS), and Prince Edward County (PEC). Within the Niagara Peninsula there are 10 sub-appellations, with 5 identified climatic zones. Lake Erie North Shore is a large appellation with vineyards spanning the length of the northern Lake Erie shoreline, and Pelee Island. The newest appellation, Prince Edward County, with its shorter growing season and cold winters has different challenges growing many grape cultivars in comparison to the other Ontario DVAs. In all appellations, alternative cultivars such as hybrids can help reduce many vineyard costs and limitations in yield potential. This is due to their superior cold hardiness and disease resistance compared to their vinifera counterparts. However, they do not possess the same economic value and are more limited in terms of perceived wine quality and consumer acceptance. Some alternative cultivars, (both hybrid and vinifera) have been planted recently and there is limited acreage of Regent in LENS and Marquette, Frontenac and Traminette in PEC and cooler regions in Ontario. More tender cultivars such as Petit Verdot and Malbec are being tried in the more favoured areas of Ontario because of their unique marketing potential. In addition, there are many cultivars worldwide, both hybrid and vinifera, that may have great promise for premium grape and wine production in Ontario but more local research and experience is required before they can be planted with any confidence. *Amended to reflect the VQA Ontario appellation change, Regulation 406/00, as of January 1, 2013 Pg.9

Matching Cultivar Sensitivity to Site Niagara Peninsula Within the Niagara Peninsula, five general grape climatic zones were established by Wiebe and Anderson in 1977. Niagara Peninsula has been further defined into 10 sub-appellations: Creek Shores, Lincoln Lakeshore, Vinemount Ridge, Beamsville Bench, Short Hill Bench, Twenty Mile Bench, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara River and St David s Bench. Climatic Zones in Niagara Zone A: Sites have cooler conditions due to the lake effect which may result in higher risk of delayed fruit maturity for late season cultivars. However the growing season may also be slightly extended because of this effect. These lakeshore sites are generally more vigorous due to the presence of coarser soils but are also higher yielding. Zone B: Some sites that fall in the level plain between the escarpment and Zone A may have higher winter injury risk due to lack of direct protection from Lake Ontario and limited air circulation. Many sites are on heavy, poorly drained soils, requiring skilled management but with lower yields. Zones C & D: Most Bench sites in climatic zones C and D have adequate cold air drainage but some sites may have a greater risk of winter injury requiring more protection. Zone E: This area above the escarpment has the highest risk of winter injury due to cold mid-winter temperatures. This area also has the shortest growing season with highest risk of spring and/or fall frosts, effectively limiting tender and/ or later maturing cultivars. More management impact costs would be associated with vinifera above the escarpment due to the need for increased winter protection strategies. Pg.11

Table 1: Climate Profiles of the Niagara Peninsula * Growing Degree Days a Frost Free Days b Cold Extremes c Climate Profiles Niagara Peninsula Data from weather stations located throughout the Niagara Peninsula provides a range of climatic factors throughout the sub-appelations and grape climate zones identified in the area. Location of Weather Station Zone Average High Low Average High Low -20⁰C to -25⁰C < -25⁰C Niagara Parkway A 1410 1644 1193 206 232 179 4/10 ** NOTL Lakeshore A 1413 1608 1228 213 233 180 2/10 ** Niagara College B 1440 1664 1231 213 232 186 3/10 ** NOTL Virgil B 1433 1627 1255 199 232 165 4/10 2/10 Queenston B 1481 1707 1275 199 225 161 5/10 ** West St. Catharines B 1383 1590 1176 190 209 161 6/10 2/10 Winona C 1408 1669 1217 192 215 156 4/10 2/10 Vineland (Cherry Ave) C/B 1363 1616 1176 200 210 179 4/10 1/10 Beamsville D 1422 1664 1212 217 232 199 3/10 ** Vineland Escarpment D 1396 1628 1190 216 199 233 4/10 ** Jordan Zone D/C 1433 1664 1228 211 232 179 4/10 ** Grimsby E 1273 1509 1097 175 201 158 6/10 4/10 Jordan Escarpment E 1374 1574 1161 202 234 161 6/10 2/10 * Data courtesy of Weather Innovations Incorporated (1995-2010) a Sum of (mean daily temperature -10 C), April 01 to October 31, 1995-2010 b Consecutive days greater than -2 C as per Environment Canada definition c Actual occurrence during 1995-2010 except ** Not recorded within 1995-2010 time frame Pg.13

Matching Cultivar Sensitivity to Site These DVAs have long growing seasons and normally the highest number of heat units in Ontario, but winter injury risk can be high when Lake Erie is ice covered. Table 2: Pelee Island and sites closest to Lake Erie benefit from an extended growing season. Inland sites will be warmer during the growing season, but there may be increased risk of frost and/ or winter injury. These sites, when on heavy soils can be low yielding and more difficult to manage. Lakeshore sites on sandy soils drain well but vines are vigorous, high yielding, and need higher management inputs. Lake Erie North Shore Climate Profiles of Lake Erie North Shore * Minimum extremes Growing Degree Days a Frost Free Days b Last spring frost c First fall frost d -20⁰C to -25⁰C < -25⁰C Pelee Island 1592 195 7-Apr 6-Nov 4/10 d 12/100 d Kingsville- LENS 1410 174 12-Apr 7-Nov 4/10 d 12/100 d Harrow- LENS 1527 165 18-Apr 28-Oct 4/10 e 10/100 e * adapted from Shaw 2001, Sayed 1992, Environment Canada Normals and VQA Ontario a Sum of (mean daily temperature 10 C), April 01 to October 31 b Consecutive days greater than -2⁰C as per Environment Canada definition c Probability 9 years out of 10 by Environment Canada d Probability data derived by Environment Canada data e Probability data derived by Environment Canada (Sayed 1992) *Amended to reflect the VQA Ontario appellation change, Regulation 406/00, as of January 1, 2013 Pg.15

Table 3: Matching Cultivar Sensitivity to Site Southern sites closer to the lake generally have a greater delay in bud break, but can also have a more extended growing season during the fall. Early maturing cultivars are better suited for the short growing season and low heat unit accumulation. Prince Edward County Climate Profile of Prince Edward County * Minimum extremes c In Prince Edward County the warming effect of Lake Ontario is not as pronounced nor as effective as it is in the Niagara Peninsula and winter protection strategies are essential. Growing Degree Days a Frost Free Days b Last spring frost First fall frost -20⁰C to -25⁰C < -25⁰C Picton PEC 1264 143 N/A N/A 9/10 90/100 * Data courtesy of VQA Ontario; Additional source: Environment Canada a Sum of (mean daily temperature 10 C), April 01 to October 31 b Consecutive days greater than -2⁰C as per Environment Canada definition c Probability data derived by Environment Canada Pg.17

Climatic and Agronomic Requirements All of these cultivar descriptions and rankings are relative. Some of these factors may change depending on site conditions (topography, soil characteristics, water availability and soil drainage, etc.) and viticultural practices. CULTIVAR CLIMATIC AND Agronomic Requirements In the following tables 4 and 5, grape cultivars have been characterized according to cold sensitivity and seasonal requirements to reach maturity. The cultivars are sorted by season and then characterized by winter hardiness, relative heat unit requirements, growing season, susceptibility to spring and fall frosts, disease susceptibility, crop and canopy management inputs. The following are the criteria used in scoring/ranking the common cultivars grown in Ontario. For example, hybrids generally have the least demanding site requirements, highest yield potential, lowest risk, lowest crop value and lowest management requirements. This contrasts with the more cold sensitive, late maturing vinifera category, which requires the highest quality site, has lower yield potential, has the highest cold injury risk, the highest value, and is most demanding in terms of management. Winter hardiness Cold hardiness is a relative index (1 = most hardy; 10 = least hardy) based on NE North American conditions. The approximations are based on the temperatures at which 50% primary bud kill might be expected in mid-winter. Please refer to www.ccovi.ca/vine-alert for cultivar and regionally specific cold hardiness information. Relative heat unit requirements This is based on relative heat unit requirements to reach acceptable fruit maturity using growing degree days (GDD) which is the sum of (mean daily temperature -10 C), April 01 to October 31. (1 = 900; 5 = 1400; 10 = 1900 GDD) Growing season, frost free days (FFD) This is based on length of growing season required to reach acceptable fruit maturity using frost free days (FFD) which are the consecutive days greater than -2 C as per Environment Canada definition. Spring Frost Fall Frost This is based on timing of maturation period and normal harvest date of the cultivar, with very late maturing cultivars being at highest risk. (1 = low risk; 5 = high risk) Disease Susceptibility and control This is based on susceptibility of foliage and fruit diseases and ease of conventional control under normal Ontario climatic conditions. (1 = low; 5 = high) Crop Management This is based on cultivar fruitfulness and number of crop adjustments required throughout a normal growing season to insure maturity. (1 = low; 5 = high) Canopy Management This is based on cultivar growth habit and normal vine vigour and includes factors such as shoot thinning, shoot positioning, hedging, and leaf removal. (1 = low inputs; 5 = high inputs) This is based on relative timing of bud break with early budding cultivars being the most at risk. (1 = low risk; 5 = high risk) Pg.19

TABLE 4: Seasonal requirements and management inputs of selected white wine grape cultivars * Growing Grapes WINTER HARDINESS SCALE Cold hardiness is a relative index (1 = most hardy; 10 = least hardy) based on NE North American conditions. The approximations are based on the temperatures at which 50% primary bud kill might be expected in midwinter. Please refer to www.ccovi.ca/vine-alert for cultivar and regionally specific cold hardiness information. Cultivar Season Winter hardiness 1-10 Relative heat unit requirements 1=900, 5=1400, 10=1900 Growing season (FFD*) Spring frost risk 1-5 Fall frost risk 1-5 Disease Susceptibility control 1-5 Aligote Early 5 3 >140 3 2 3 2 2 Auxerrois Early 5 3 >150 3 3 3 2 2 Chardonnay Early 5 4 >140 4 2 3 1 2 Muscat Ottonel Crop Mgmt Early 6 3 >160 3 3 3 3 2 Frontenac Gris Mid 1 2 >140 2 2 1 2 1 Gewurztraminer Mid 7 3 >150 4 3 4 3 3 Kerner Mid 4 4 >140 2 2 3 2 2 Pinot Blanc Mid 6 3 >150 3 3 4 3 2 Pinot Gris Mid 6 3 >150 3 3 4 3 2 Sauvignon Blanc Mid 8 4 >160 3 3 3 3 4 Seyval Blanc Mid 2 2 >140 2 2 2 2 1 Traminette Mid 2 4 >140 2 2 2 2 1 Viognier Mid 7 6 >180 3 4 4 2 3 Chenin Blanc Late 8 6 >180 3 4 3 3 3 Riesling Late 4 4 >160 2 3 3.5 2 2 Semillon Late 8 6 >180 2 4 3 2 2 Vidal Blanc Late 3 4 >150 2 4 2.5 1 1 Canopy Mgmt 1-5 All ratings are in order of increased risk or inputs * Frost Free Days. Pg.21

TABLE 5: Viticultural characteristics and impact factors of selected red wine grape cultivars * Growing Grapes HEAT UNIT REQUIREMENTS This is based on relative heat unit requirements to reach acceptable fruit maturity using growing degree days (GDD) which is the sum of (mean daily temperature -10 C), April 01 to October 31. (1 = 900; 5=1400; 10= 1900 GDD) Cultivar Season Winter hardiness 1-10 Relative heat unit requirements 1=900, 5=1400, 10=1900 Growing season (FFD*) Spring frost risk 1-5 Fall frost risk 1-5 Disease Susceptibility control 1-5 Baco noir Early 2 2 >140 5 1 2.5 1 1 Marechal foch Early 2 2 >140 4 1 2.5 1 1 Marquette Pinot noir Crop Mgmt 1 2 >140 2 2 1 1 2 4 3 >140 3 3 4 5 4 De Chaunac Mid 2 2 >140 5 3 2 2 1 Dornfelder Mid 4 3 >140 3 3 2 2 2 Frontenac Mid 1 2 >140 2 2 1 2 2 Gamay noir Mid 4 3 >140 2 3 3 3 3 Regent Mid 3 3 >140 3 3 1 2 2 Zweigeltrebe Mid 4 4 >160 3 3 2 2 2 Merlot Earlymid Earlymid Mid- Late 8 5 >180 4 3 3 2 3 Cabernet franc Late 4 5 >180 3 4 2.5 2 2 Cabernet sauvignon Late 5 7 >190 1 4 2.5 3 2 Chambourcin Late 4 4 >160 2 4 2 2 1 Malbec Late 7 5 >190 3 5 3 3 2 Nebbiolo Late 9 8 >200 4 5 2 5 4 Petit verdot Late 5 8 >200 3 5 2 3 2 Syrah Late 8 8 >200 2 5 2.5 4 3 Canopy Mgmt 1-5 All ratings are in order of increased risk or inputs * Frost Free Days Pg.23

Vineyard Risk Assessment Disease susceptibility, crop management and frost risk carry similar rankings. At this location, in more than 50% of the years, minimum mid-winter temperatures will fall below critical lethal temperatures for tender vinifera cultivars (<-20 C), and on average there are fewer growing degree days than Merlot requires. Growing Merlot in this location carries a risk that the vineyard will sustain winter injury and in some years will not reach full maturity compared to Chardonnay that is more winter hardy and requires fewer growing degree days. Example of Cultivar BY Vineyard Risk Assessment Now consider the suitability of these 2 varieties on a hypothetical site which has 1383 growing degree days, 190 frost free days, with winter temperatures falling between -20 C to -25 C 6 years out of 10. In this example, Merlot is less winter hardy and requires more heat and frost free days to reach acceptable maturity than Chardonnay. The grower would need to decide whether the risks of growing Merlot can be mitigated with winter protection strategies (e.g. wind machines), and assess the economic returns against those risks. From Tables 4 & 5: Characteristic Merlot Chardonnay Winter Hardiness 8 lacks winter hardiness 5 average hardiness Relative heat unit requirement 5 needs about 1400 GDD 4 needs about 1300 GDD Growing Season Frost Free Days >180 needs more than 180 FFD >140 needs more than 140 FFD Spring Frost risk 4 high risk of spring frost damage 4 high risk of spring frost damage Fall Frost risk 3 average risk of fall frost damage 2 below average risk of fall frost damage (earlier maturing) Disease Susceptibility 3 average 3 average Crop Management 2 relatively low 1 low Canopy Management 3 relatively low 2 low Pg.25

M a r k e t i n g Of ONTARIo WINES By nature, the consumer demand for wines involves a complex of factors, many of which are unrelated to varietals. Wine sales trends provide insight into the current demand for wine varietals which define the market for Ontario grapes. MARKETING Historically Chardonnay and Riesling have been the largest selling Ontario VQA varietal wines. The most significant Ontario VQA red varietal wines were Merlot and Pinot Noir, with a range of other red varietals occupying a significant share of volume. Ontario non- VQA wines (International-Canadian Blends ICB) have a very different profile with nonvarietal wines making up half of the volume of sales. The leading varietals in the Ontario non-vqa segment were Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Vidal. There are also varietals that are sizeable in this segment but only weakly represented in the VQA segment, notably Shiraz. As with Ontario non-vqa wines, the largest category of imported wine sales is non-varietal with Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris making up the largest share of varietal imported wine. Ontario s strength has been in producing white wines, consistent with a cool climate wine region. Ontario red wines are gaining in popularity, and generally require more marketing effort. Identifying a market for the grapes and for a particular cultivar is critical to any planting decision. Pg.27

CONCLUSION GRAPE GroWING IN ONTARIO The Ontario grape and wine industry is dynamic, complex, and exists in a tight supply/demand balance. Supply is driven by grape production conditions, which are heavily influenced by a range of climatic effects, particularly winter hardiness. CONCLUSION Climate limits the size, geographic distribution, and range of grape varieties that can be produced in Ontario, and influences Ontario production toward cool climate white varieties. With this acknowledged, much is determined by site-specific factors and management. These have allowed expansion into a broader range of varieties. Ontario s strength of demand has been in white wines. A range of red wines are experiencing growth, and this generally requires additional marketing effort. Demand can differ sharply across varietals, and this is an important consideration in choosing cultivars for establishment. Varietal choices made by individuals should be made in the context of climate, site quality, management, and the suitability of varietals from an agronomic and marketing perspective. Determining that there is a market for grapes before planting is critical. The full report Aligning the Ontario Grape Supply and Demand: A Grower Guide for the Grape and Wine Industry is available from the Grape Growers of Ontario. Pg.29

This grower handbook is authored by: Al Mussell George Morris Centre Jim Willwerth CCOVI Brock University Helen Fisher University of Guelph The views expressed in this document are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. 1634 South Service Road, St Catharines, Ontario L2R 6P9 Phone: 905.688.0990 Fax: 905.688.3211 Email: info@grapegrowersofontario.com Web: www.grapegrowersofontario.com Grapegrowersofontario @grapegrowersont Mailing Address: P.O. Box 100, Vineland Station, Ontario L0R 2E0