Which Canadian provinces produce the best wines for the best value?

By Sara d’Amato, a Toronto-based wine consultant, educator, sommelier, wine critic and principal partner with WineAlign, Canada’s leading online wine publication

As told to Mary Luz Mejia.

Here’s the answer to this week’s reader’s question:

Which provinces produce quality wines and which have the best prices?

—Reid

Wines and vines from coast to coast

People often ask me which Canadian province makes the best wine, but after judging the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada since 2005, I’ve learned there isn’t a clear-cut winner. When it comes to Canada’s wine powerhouses, Ontario and British Columbia dominate, but for different reasons. Ontario produces the highest volume of wine and has the largest area under vine, while British Columbia has the greatest number of wineries. Both provinces were among the first to plant European grape varieties on a commercial scale because they have Canada’s most hospitable growing conditions.

That doesn’t mean they’re the only regions worth exploring. Nova Scotia has quietly become one of North America’s most exciting sparkling wine regions. At the same time, Quebec continues to impress with hybrid varieties such as Frontenac, Marquette and Vidal, alongside an increasing focus on cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Each province has its specialties. Ontario, for example, excels with Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Syrah and Icewine. British Columbia shines with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Gris and aromatic white wines. Nova Scotia is known for sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Maréchal Foch and Baco Noir, while Quebec continues to push the quality of both hybrids and vins de glace.

So, finding the best Canadian wines isn’t as much about which province to buy from, but what wine or style you prefer.

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Best value bottles in Canada

If you’re looking for the best value for Canadian wine, I’d give the edge to Ontario. Higher production volumes generally allow wineries to offer more competitive pricing while still maintaining quality. British Columbia also consistently overdelivers with their aromatic whites.

If you’re not sure where to start, there is a wealth of lighter, chill-worthy reds to explore: Look for entry-level Gamays (try Malivoire), Pinot Noirs and Baco Noirs.

For whites, try entry-level Chardonnay from many regions (Thomas Bachelder’s terroir-driven Ontario wines are often priced lower than you’d expect); Nova Scotia’s Tidal Bay or the gently frizzante Nova 7 from Benjamin Bridge; and B.C.Syrahs from the Similkameen Valley, such as Orofino; or even the biodynamic Seyval-Chardonnay of Les Pervenches in Farnham, Quebec.

Many undervalued wines exist in this country; however, producing wine is very labour-intensive in many Canadian regions. For example, in Prince Edward County, Ont., vines must be hilled up (buried) or covered by geotextiles for winter. Labour is comparatively expensive in our country, and many of our wineries are smaller, boutique operations focused on high-quality, sustainable production. This contributes to higher costs in Canada—although no matter where you are, better wine costs more to produce. That’s one reason the current trend is to drink better, not more. 

Interprovincial wine shopping FTW!

Here’s the good news: As interprovincial direct-to-consumer shipping expands, Canadians should also have far greater access to purchasing wine directly from other provinces. For decades, internal trade barriers have made it surprisingly difficult to buy wine directly from wineries outside your home province. Given the tariff war and the elbows-up movement, Canadians need ways to support each other. Easier shipping should especially benefit smaller producers, giving them access to customers who may never have discovered their wines otherwise.

One of the biggest misconceptions I’d like to see disappear is the idea that Canadian wine needs international validation to be considered good. Our wines already stand on their own. What’s often missing isn’t quality; it’s curiosity.

Mary Luz Mejia is a freelance journalist, food and travel writer and Canada’s first IICCT Level III Certified Chocolate Taster

Read more from this issue of The Get:

1. Should Canadian drivers opt out of add-on car insurance?
2. Car insurance reform in Ontario—what you need to know
3. How to repair your stuff (from tech to clothes) for free
4. Here’s how to spot deepfakes; tips from investigative journalist Craig Silverman
5. This is how Canadians can save on baggage fees at the airport