Niagara-on-the-Lake is a regional VQA appellation in Ontario, Canada, on the southern shores of Lake Ontario and surrounded by water on three sides. It produces the largest Volume of ice wine in the world, more so than the style's homeland of Germany. Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Vidal are planted widely for this style.
There are around 20 wineries in operation here and international wine-producing powerhouses such as Inniskillin, Jackson Triggs and Peller Estate are collectively responsible for the majority of Canadian ice wines sold outside of Canada.
The consistent Climate is well suited to the production of ice wine. Its vineyards enjoy a growing season brought about by the temperature-moderating capacities of the lake.
Some Dry wines are also made in Niagara-on-the-Lake. These usually feature Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon.
In terms of Size, the appellation is a middle ground between the broader Niagara Peninsula VQA and four smaller sub-appellations within its borders. These are Niagara Lakeshore, Four Mile Creek, Niagara River and St David's Bench.
The western boundary runs along the Welland Canal, a shipping facility that is an important Part of the St Lawrence Seaway. The high ridge of the Niagara Escarpment forms an obvious southern boundary, and the Niagara River separates Niagara-on-the-Lake from the US state of New York in the east.
It is the only vinifera-riparia that has been commercialized. It is the result of crossing the folle blanche with the riparia grand glabre created in 1902 by François Baco. Depending on the region, we can still find some small plots of black Baco vines often mixed with other varieties. You will also find trellises or arbors installed a long time ago in front of old houses and still maintained in a more than remarkable way thanks to the great vigour of this variety. It should be noted that there is also a white baco resulting from the crossing of the folle blanche by the noah and resembling much the latter.
red wines from the region of Niagara-on-the-Lake go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or pork such as recipes of beef with dark beer, rolled lamb shoulder with herbs or rabbit in white wine (casserole).
On the nose in the region of Niagara-on-the-Lake often reveals types of flavors of oaky, earth or tree fruit and sometimes also flavors of vegetal, floral or dried fruit. In the mouth in the region of Niagara-on-the-Lake is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
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