Grape Varieties in Ontario Wine Regions

Understanding the Potential and the Risks December 2011 Grape Varieties in ontario wine regions Understanding the potential and the risks

Site Considerations in Growing Grapes

Climatic conditions are the key consideration in grape growing including: ΏΏ Length of Growing Season Growing Grapes ΏΏ Heat Summation in Ontario’s Cool Climate ΏΏ Incidence of Frost

Growing grapes in Ontario has some unique challenges but many are ΏΏ Winter Temperature Extremes no different than in other commercial wine growing regions. Ontario Designated Viticulture Areas (DVAs) generally experience adequate precipitation, Climatic risks and cultivar sensitivity for each individual location although rain during fruit maturation can result in fruit loss due to splitting, botrytis bunch need to be considered when assessing which wine grape to grow. 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.

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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. Many established vinifera plantings on good sites do not require much intervention during Site the growing season or the dormant period, but plantings in more marginal vineyard sites require costly additional management. Characteristics In general, sites of the highest quality have a long, warm growing season with limited winter Regional climatic conditions, vineyard site quality/potential, and injury risk and can support a wide range of cultivars. Sites with cool conditions and prone general cultivar characteristics determine the relative suitability/risk to winter injury are more limited in the choice of suitable cultivars. of establishing alternative cultivars at a given site.

Sites where normal grape maturity coincides with the natural decline of Depending on site conditions, some vineyards may also have more associated costs due the growing season will result in the highest quality fruit. Site quality to excess vine vigour, high disease pressure, necessary crop level adjustment, frost/winter is more significant for winter tender and/or late season cultivars. 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.

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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 Cultivar inferior cold hardiness and disease tolerance relative to hybrid varieties. Site selection Selection is still critical for vinifera, even if winter protection strategies are used (wind machines,

The main limiting factor for profitable commercial wine grape burying canes or whole vines). production in Canada is vine cold hardiness. Cultivars that are Existing plantings of traditional cool climate cultivars such as Chardonnay and Riesling have selected must survive the winter months with no substantial winter injury, four seasons out of every five. Therefore cold hardiness of demonstrated success across Ontario. They have been both profitable and have achieved the chosen cultivar should match to the expected minimum winter international recognition for their wine quality. Many other cultivars can be grown with the temperatures of the site. 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.

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Within the Niagara Peninsula there are 10 sub-appellations, with 5 identified climatic zones. Southwestern Ontario has two DVAs: Lake Erie North Shore, 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 Ontario winters has different challenges growing many grape cultivars in comparison to the other Designated Viticultural Areas 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 Ontario has defined four DVAs: Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore (LENS), Pelee Island and hardiness and disease resistance compared to their vinifera counterparts. However, they Prince Edward County (PEC). 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.

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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 Zones C & D: Most “Bench” sites in climatic zones C and which may result in higher risk of delayed fruit maturity for D have adequate cold air drainage but some sites may have a late season cultivars. However the growing season may also greater risk of winter injury requiring more protection. be slightly extended because of this effect. These lakeshore sites are generally more vigorous due to the presence of Zone E: This area above the escarpment has the highest risk coarser soils but are also higher yielding. of winter injury due to cold mid-winter temperatures. This area also has the shortest growing season with highest risk Zone B: Some sites that fall in the level plain between the of spring and/or fall frosts, effectively limiting tender and/ escarpment and Zone A may have higher winter injury risk or later maturing cultivars. More management impact costs due to lack of direct protection from Lake Ontario and limited would be associated with vinifera above the escarpment due air circulation. Many sites are on heavy, poorly drained soils, to the need for increased winter protection strategies. requiring skilled management but with lower yields.

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Climate Profiles of the a b c Niagara Peninsula* Growing Degree Days Frost Free Days Cold Extremes

Location of -20⁰C to Zone Average High Low Average High Low -25⁰C < -25⁰C Weather Station

Climate Profiles Niagara Parkway A 1410 1644 1193 206 232 179 4/10 ** niagara Peninsula NOTL Lakeshore A 1413 1608 1228 213 233 180 2/10 ** Niagara College B 1440 1664 1231 213 232 186 3/10 ** Data from weather stations located throughout the Niagara Peninsula NOTL Virgil B 1433 1627 1255 199 232 165 4/10 2/10 provides a range of climatic factors throughout the sub-appelations Queenston B 1481 1707 1275 199 225 161 5/10 ** and grape climate zones identified in the area. 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

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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. Matching Cultivar Sensitivity to Site Lake Erie North Shore Climate Profiles of Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee Island* Minimum extremes Growing Degree Frost Free Last spring First fall -20⁰C to < -25⁰C and Pelee Island Daysa Daysb frostc frostd -25⁰C These DVAs have long growing seasons and normally the highest Pelee Island 1592 195 7-Apr 6-Nov 4/10d 12/100d number of heat units in Ontario, but winter injury risk can be high Kingsville- LENS 1410 174 12-Apr 7-Nov 4/10d 12/100d when Lake Erie is ice covered. Harrow- LENS 1527 165 18-Apr 28-Oct 4/10e 10/100e

* 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)

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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. Matching Cultivar Sensitivity to Site

Prince Edward County Climate Profile of Prince Edward County* Minimum extremesc In Prince Edward County the warming effect of Lake Ontario is not Growing Degree Frost Free Last spring First fall -20⁰C to as pronounced nor as effective as it is in the Niagara Peninsula and < -25⁰C winter protection strategies are essential. Daysa Daysb frost frost -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

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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. 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.

CULTIVAR CLIMATIC Winter hardiness Fall Frost AND Agronomic Requirements Cold hardiness is a relative index (1 = most hardy; This is based on timing of maturation period and normal 10 = least hardy) based on NE North American conditions. harvest date of the cultivar, with very late maturing cultivars In the following tables 4 and 5, grape cultivars have been characterized The approximations are based on the temperatures at which being at highest risk. (1 = low risk; 5 = high risk) according to cold sensitivity and seasonal requirements to reach 50% primary bud kill might be expected in mid-winter. Please maturity. The cultivars are sorted by season and then characterized refer to www.ccovi.ca/vine-alert for cultivar and regionally Disease Susceptibility and control by winter hardiness, relative heat unit requirements, growing season, specific cold hardiness information. This is based on susceptibility of foliage and fruit diseases and susceptibility to spring and fall frosts, disease susceptibility, crop Relative heat unit requirements ease of conventional control under normal Ontario climatic and canopy management inputs. conditions. (1 = low; 5 = high) This is based on relative heat unit requirements to reach acceptable fruit maturity using growing degree days (GDD) Crop Management which is the sum of (mean daily temperature -10˚C), April 01 This is based on cultivar fruitfulness and number of crop to October 31. (1 = 900; 5 = 1400; 10 = 1900 GDD) adjustments required throughout a normal growing season to Growing season, frost free days (FFD) insure maturity. (1 = low; 5 = high) This is based on length of growing season required to reach Canopy Management acceptable fruit maturity using frost free days (FFD) which This is based on cultivar growth habit and normal vine vigour are the consecutive days greater than -2˚C as per Environment and includes factors such as shoot thinning, shoot positioning, Canada definition. hedging, and leaf removal. (1 = low inputs; 5 = high inputs) Spring Frost This is based on relative timing of bud break with early budding cultivars being the most at risk. (1 = low risk; 5 = high risk)

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TABLE 4:

Seasonal requirements and management inputs of selected white wine grape cultivars*

Relative Spring Fall Canopy Winter heat unit Growing frost frost Disease Crop hardiness requirements risk risk Susceptibility Mgmt Cultivar Season season Mgmt Scale Scale 1=900, control Scale 1-10 5=1400, (FFD*) Scale Scale Scale 1-5 Scale 10=1900 1-5 1-5 1-5

Growing Grapes Aligote Early 5 3 >140 3 2 3 2 2 WINTER HARDINESS SCALE Auxerrois Early 5 3 >150 3 3 3 2 2 Chardonnay Early 5 4 >140 4 2 3 1 2 Cold hardiness is a relative index (1 = most hardy; 10 = least hardy) based Muscat on NE North American conditions. The approximations are based on the Ottonel Early 6 3 >160 3 3 3 3 2 temperatures at which 50% primary bud kill might be expected in mid- Frontenac Gris Mid 1 2 >140 2 2 1 2 1 winter. Please refer to www.ccovi.ca/vine-alert for cultivar and regionally specific cold hardiness information. 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 Mid 8 4 >160 3 3 3 3 4 Blanc 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

All ratings are in order of increased risk or inputs * Frost Free Days. Pg.21 Grape Varieties in ontario wine regions Understanding the potential and the risks

TABLE 5: Viticultural characteristics and impact factors of selected red wine grape cultivars*

Baco noir Early 2 2 >140 5 1 2.5 1 1 Growing Grapes Marechal foch Early 2 2 >140 4 1 2.5 1 1 HEAT UNIT REQUIREMENTS Early- Marquette 1 2 >140 2 2 1 1 2 mid This is based on relative heat unit requirements to reach acceptable Early- Pinot noir 4 3 >140 3 3 4 5 4 fruit maturity using growing degree days (GDD) which is the sum of mid (mean daily temperature -10˚C), April 01 to October 31. (1 = 900; 5=1400; De Chaunac Mid 2 2 >140 5 3 2 2 1 10= 1900 GDD) 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 Mid- Merlot 8 5 >180 4 3 3 2 3 Late Cabernet franc Late 4 5 >180 3 4 2.5 2 2 Cabernet Late 5 7 >190 1 4 2.5 3 2 sauvignon 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

All ratings are in order of increased risk or inputs * Frost Free Days Pg.23 Grape Varieties in ontario wine regions Understanding the potential and the risks

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. The grower would need to decide whether the risks of growing Merlot can be mitigated with winter Example of Cultivar protection strategies (e.g. wind machines), and assess the economic returns against those risks. BY Vineyard Risk Assessment

Now consider the suitability of these 2 varieties on a hypothetical From Tables 4 & 5: 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. Characteristic Merlot Chardonnay In this example, Merlot is less winter hardy and requires more heat and frost free days to reach acceptable maturity than 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

2 below average risk of fall frost damage Fall Frost risk 3 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

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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, Marketing with a range of other red varietals occupying a significant share of volume. Ontario non- Of ONTARIo WINES VQA wines (International-Canadian Blends ICB) have a very different profile with non- varietal wines making up half of the volume of sales. The leading varietals in the Ontario By nature, the consumer demand for wines involves a complex of non-VQA segment were Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Vidal. There are factors, many of which are unrelated to varietals. Wine sales trends provide insight into the current demand for wine varietals which also varietals that are sizeable in this segment but only weakly represented in the VQA define the market for Ontario grapes. 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.

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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. CONCLUSION With this acknowledged, much is determined by site-specific factors and management. These GRAPE GroWING IN ONTARIO 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 The Ontario grape and wine industry is dynamic, complex, and requires additional marketing effort. Demand can differ sharply across varietals, and this is exists in a tight supply/demand balance. Supply is driven by grape production conditions, which are heavily influenced by a range of an important consideration in choosing cultivars for establishment. climatic effects, particularly winter hardiness. 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.

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