Lake Erie North Shore Wine Region

Stretching along the shoreline of Lake Erie, the Lake Erie North Shore appellation encompasses vineyards in southwestern Ontario. The southeasterly location and warm waters of Lake Erie are key components to this appellation's long growing season, which helps the fruit achieve a perfect balance between natural sweetness and acidity. Lake Erie north shore wine region is one of the favorite places for wine lovers in Canada.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Lake Erie North Shore!

History of The terroir of Lake Erie North Shore Wine Region

Wine production in this area has a long history and is becoming more popular. The first vineyards were established in the southerly region of Pelee Island in the 1860s. Soon after, viticulture spread quickly to the mainland and then to Niagara Peninsula. The region is a well-known wine producer, however other fruits and vegetables are also grown there, especially tomatoes. Agricultural products including wine, poultry and eggs are also produced in this region. Soft fruits such as cherries and strawberries grow in abundance.

Many wineries in this area make wines that are broadly certified as Ontario VQA. As a result, there are few Lake Erie North Shore wines on our database. An Ontario VQA is an Ontario wine that has been certified as meeting the quality standards of the province. These wines are typically served at social gatherings, in restaurants, and at wineries in Southern Ontario. As a result, there are few Lake Erie North Shore wines on our database.

The terroir of Lake Erie North Shore

We've noticed that the soil composition in this area has been heavily affected by the impact of glacial lakes. There are a lot of large boulders here and they're made up entirely of unsorted, stony materials. When the glaciers elsewhere retreated, this area was able to stay covered in water for longer periods of time, which allowed waves to push out ridges and deposit a lot of sediment. The surrounding soil, which is light-textured, well-drained, and sandy on the surface, contains mostly a sand-gravel mixture punctuated by small and irregular stony ridges. They are overlaid by shale limestone bedrock below. Though they have a similar soil makeup, wine grapes thrive in deep soils on Pelee Island.

Grape Varieties from Lake Erie North Shore

The grape varieties grown on the Lake Erie North Shore are unique and distinct when compared to varieties found in other areas of Ontario. Grapes grown on the Lake Erie North Shore benefit from the moderating effect of Lake Erie, which improves grape quality and ripening time. The Lake Erie North Shore is home to three famous grape varieties, but the largest variety is Riesling. Other varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Gewurztraminer.

Lake Erie’s coastline and islands make for excellent grape-growing conditions. In the summer, lake breezes keep vineyards at a perfect temperature, while in the colder months, it helps prevent frost from hindering their growth. Winemakers have been using natural snow cover to protect their crops for centuries, with spectacular results. Concord is the go-to grape, but newer ones are also available thanks to advances in agriculture. Winemakers are always trying to create unique wines that provide different sensory experiences.

Food to Pair with Lake Erie North Shore Wines

Windsor-Syule Pizza

A lot of people know about pierogi pizza, but the Windsor style is a fascinating alternate. It's a Canadian thing that comes out of Windsor and has become hugely popular in the city in recent years. The pizza has a thin crust and is often covered in tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and mushrooms. It's often topped with pepperoni so that every bite tastes the same.

The toppings go on top of the cheese, never under it, and you can always add more toppings, such as green peppers or bacon. A crispy crust is why Windsor invented pizzas! Cooked to perfection on stone deck ovens, the invention of which is unknown. Two main contenders for the inventor are Sam's Pizzeria and Volcano Pizzeria. The specialty pizza is known for being a delicious option no matter the occasion. From birthdays to weddings, you'll never be disappointed with this choice!

Peameal Bacon

You may not be familiar with this, but bacon is a quintessential Canadian meat product made with a lean boneless pork loin that's typically trimmed of fat, then cured in brine, and finally wrapped in a coating of ground cornmeal, which gives it its classic yellow-hued crust.

The bacon got its name because of the coating, which originally consisted of ground yellow peas called peameal. Peameal bacon is a subtly sweet and nutty type of bacon that requires a small amount of preparation before it can be eaten.

Peameal bacon is a Canadian dish, created by William Davies. He also introduced it to the Canadian market and has been attributed with its introduction in Canada.

Sushi Pizza

Sushi pizzas are often found in Canada, especially Toronto. This dish consists of a fried rice patty topped with salmon, tuna or crab and avocado. It is believed to have been invented by a Japanese chef, Kaoru Ohsada in Nami restaurant.

Originally, he made the dish by frying sushi rice and topping it with salmon. He garnished it with tobiko fish roe and chopped onions. In modern times, sushi pizza is often eaten with soy sauce or ginger on the side. We recommend eating this dish with local wine.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Erie North Shore Wine