Section III: Wine Regions of Section III: Wine Regions of North AmericaNorth America

Chapter 13: New York, Canada and Other North American Regions

New York StateNew York State

In the early and mid-1800s, viticulturists bred hybrids and came up with new varietals for wine production.

New varietals planted by immigrants in the 1950s. Commercial wine-making took off, and an industry

emerged before being dealt a blow with Prohibition. When Prohibition was repealed in 1933, wine

production re-emerged, but maintained its emphasis on the native and hybrid grapes.

In the 1950s, a Ukrainian vintner arrived in New York, and modern wine production got started.

Wine Regions of New YorkWine Regions of New York

The Finger Lakes Lake Erie Hudson River Valley Long Island Other Wine Regions in the Eastern US:

• Connecticut• Rhode Island• South-central coast of Massachusetts

VirginiaVirginia

Wine making in this southern state dates all the way back to the Jamestown settlement.

In 1609 the sponsoring company sent French vine cuttings, but they died of fungus and local diseases.

Legacy of Thomas Jefferson, wine lover Farmers planted hybrids in the late 19th century. Industry collapsed under prohibition Revived in the 1970s when new wineries were

established. Virginia currently has six AVAs.

The Western United StatesThe Western United States

Texas New Mexico Colorado

TexasTexas

The fifth largest wine-producing state in the country

Dates back to mid-17th century Spanish missionaries

Wine continued to be produced in Texas on through the 18th and 19th centuries.

Prohibition closed industry for next four decades. Several Texas natives began wine-making in

1970s. Texas has seven AVAs and 138 wineries.

New MexicoNew Mexico

Spanish missionary monks planted wine grapes in the region in 1629.

By the late 1800s, the state was the 5th in the nation in volume of wine.

By the 1940s, Prohibition and flooding ruined it.

The French re-established the industry in the 1980s.

New Mexico has three AVAs and about 40 wineries.

ColoradoColorado

Many vintners say that Riesling is the most promising grape for their state.

Presently, most of the production from Colorado’s wineries is sold through their own tasting rooms.

As of early 2009, Colorado had 72 licensed wineries.

CanadaCanada

There are four provinces that produce wines. Major wine regions are Ontario and British

Columbia. Climate is similar to New York’s Finger Lakes. Specialize in Ice Win and German-style

Rieslings.

Canadian HistoryCanadian History

Wine making in Canada dates from the early 1800s. Prohibition lasted only a few years in Canada, and

upon it’s repeal in 1927, the provinces granted licenses to new wineries.

Most wine made in Canada at the time was the slightly sweet, highly alcoholic style.

Canada’s modern wine industry was born in 1975. Demand for drier, balanced table wines encouraged

Canadian vintners to produce better wines. In 1988, Canada introduced a country-wide

appellation system.

Canadian Wine RegionsCanadian Wine Regions

British Columbia• Minimal rainfall• Hot summers

Ontario• Continental climate• Very cold winters