The Grapes We Grow: 100% Ontario
When you choose a VQA or 100% Ontario wine, you support local grapes!
Buying local and reducing “food and drink miles” has become a way of life for many people.
There are countless reasons to choose local wines!
When you buy a bottle of wine made from 100% Ontario-grown grapes, you are supporting the Ontario economy and Ontario farm families.
Buying VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines is a great way to ensure that you are buying Ontario wine. VQA wines are regulated by and registered with VQA Ontario. This symbol or name on the bottle means the wine is made from 100% locally grown grapes.
There are also Ontario wines made with 100% local grapes that are not VQA. The local grape content is always clearly indicated on the bottle. Look for “VQA” or “Product of Canada.” Only VQA wines can use the word “Ontario” on the label.
What are IDB wines?
International Domestic Blends – What they mean to Ontario
An International Domestic Blend is a wine made from a blend of 75% imported products which, in Ontario, must have a minimum of 25% Ontario grape content.
According to the LCBO, 20 million litres of VQA wine are sold across the province, while 56 million litres of IDB wine are sold. As you can see, IDB wines represent a much larger volume of “Ontario” wine sales.
With the Ontario government currently considering expanding retail access for wine, it has an opportunity to update policy and implement incentives for new retail channels to sell and promote 100% local first.
Grape Growers of Ontario actively encourage the Ontario government to adopt policies to better support local grapes.
Ontario Grapes in Three Seasons
Winter is like a glass of Pinot Noir
Fall is like a glass of Cabernet
