Ontario Regulation 359/24 amends Ontario Regulation 406/00, which sets the rules for Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wines in Ontario. These amendments bring in new restrictions on wine labeling, revise the geographic definitions of wine-growing regions, and update the list of grape varieties and wine categories. The changes are made under the Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999, which establishes the standards for producing and labeling Ontario wines with the VQA designation.

One of the key updates in the regulation is the introduction of stricter restrictions on the use of specific terms and designations on wine labels or containers. The new Subsection 3(2) prohibits wine producers from using terms such as “Vintners Quality Alliance” or “VQA,” and regional names like “Ontario,” “Lake Erie North Shore,” “Prince Edward County,” and “Niagara Peninsula,” unless the wine meets VQA standards and is approved according to the specified criteria. These terms also include descriptors for wine production processes, like “Estate Bottled,” “Meritage,” “Icewine,” and “Appassimento,” as well as terms related to sparkling wine, such as “Sparkling Icewine” and “Icewine Dosage.” The aim of these restrictions is to ensure that only wines that meet VQA standards can use these designations, thus maintaining the integrity and quality of Ontario’s wine industry.

In addition to these labeling restrictions, the regulation revises the geographic boundaries of Ontario’s viticultural areas. These regions are critical in identifying where grapes are grown, which affects the wine’s classification and quality. The revisions expand or clarify the boundaries of several viticultural areas. For instance, the Lake Erie North Shore region now includes lands within Pelee Township and parts of Essex, Kent, and Elgin counties, while the Prince Edward County area has been expanded to include Amherst Island and nearby regions. The Niagara Peninsula, another significant wine-producing area, is bounded by Lake Ontario to the north, the Niagara River to the east, the Welland River to the south, and Highways 56 and 20 to the west. Other notable viticultural areas include Niagara Escarpment, which encompasses sub-regions like Beamsville Bench and Short Hills Bench, and West Niagara, which includes regions such as Lincoln Lakeshore and Vinemount Ridge. In total, 17 distinct viticultural areas are defined with precise geographic boundaries based on natural landmarks and roads, ensuring the authenticity of wines labeled with specific regional designations.

Further changes in Ontario Regulation 359/24 include the introduction of new grape varieties and updates to wine categories. Now the categories recognize three new grape varieties for VQA wine production: Frontenac Blanc, Frontenac Gris, and Frontenac Noir, all of which require a minimum Brix (sugar content) of 19.5°. These additions reflect the growing adaptability of Ontario’s wine regions to newer grape varieties suited to the province’s climate.

This regulation strengthens the rules governing VQA wines by reinforcing the significance of geographic authenticity, grape variety standards, and labeling practices. These updates help safeguard the integrity and quality of VQA wines, promoting Ontario as a top-tier wine-producing region.

Ontario (359/24) September 28, 2024