Robert Bell's
Wines of Canada
Since 1992
Cold Climate Wines
Define Cold Climate Wines.! Some will immediately go to grape Varieties. and some people will refer the the regions around the world.
In general, the vines that best withstand the short summers and cold winters of northern climes are hybrid varieties: crosses between the European vine (Vitis vinifera), renowned for its large, sweet fruits, but slow to mature and somewhat to very frost-tender, and various North American species with small and rather tart, but often very, very cold hardy and also quick to mature.
Wine regions that specialize in varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are considered to be Cold Climate wines. Cold climate wines are those produced in regions with cooler temperatures, typically between 55–59 ºF (13–15 ºC) during the growing season. These wines tend to have higher acidity, lower alcohol content, and more delicate fruit flavors compared to warm climate wines.
Some common grape varieties that thrive in cold climates include:
- Red wines: Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Franc
- White wines: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Regions known for cold climate wines include Marlborough (New Zealand), Chablis (France), Willamette Valley (Oregon), Mosel (Germany), and Okanagan Valley.
Cold climate regions, with shorter growing seasons and cooler temperatures, produce wines with a more restrained and nuanced fruit profile. The cooler conditions slow down the ripening process, allowing grapes to develop complex flavors while retaining higher acidity. Common fruit descriptors for cold climate wines include crisp citrus notes like lemon and lime, green apple, and tart berry flavors such as cranberry and raspberry. These wines often exhibit a fresher and more vibrant character.
Canada lies mostly north of the 49th Parallel ,where winters can be difficult. In central Canada It is almost impossible to have a summer season long enough to grow grapes. Along the coastal areas,the Okanagan. Nova Scotia and Niagara Lake Region magnificent wines can easily be produced. With right varitals even Quebec can produce quality wines.
But “cool climate” can be a misnomer, especially the assumption that a region is too cold to ripen red grapes.
“No, it doesn’t snow in Canada all year round,” says J-L Groux, winemaker for Stratus in Canada’s Niagara Peninsula. At the peak of growing season, Niagara can be as hot as many warmer climates, he says.
“Niagara’s continental cool climate comes with a very hot growing season…followed by a long fall with cool nights,” says Groux, a Loire Valley expat who’s been making wine for 30 years. “This allows us to grow many late-ripening reds varieties such as Cabernet Franc that give us complex, fruit-driven wines with bright acidity, but without excessive green character or dry tannins.”*
The The international Cool Climate Wine show defines Cool climate Wines :
CCW are made from grapes grown either:
South of latitude 37.5 degrees South
North of latitude 37.5 degrees North
From a property in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere which has an average January/July (as
applicable) temperature below 19.5 degrees Celsius, as confirmed by the nearest Bureau of Meteorology site, or a vineyard site above 400m in altitude.
The terms cold climate wines and cool climate wines are often used interchangeably, but there can be subtle distinctions depending on the context.
Cool Climate Wines
- Produced in regions with moderate temperatures, typically between 55–65 ºF (13–18 ºC) during the growing season.
- Grapes ripen slowly, leading to higher acidity, lower sugar levels, and more delicate fruit flavors.
- Common regions: Burgundy (France), Oregon (USA), Marlborough (New Zealand), Mosel (Germany).
- Typical grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc.
Cold Climate Wines Grown in extremely cool regions, often borderline for viticulture.
- Grapes struggle to ripen fully, resulting in very high acidity and lower alcohol content.
Often associated with ice wines or wines from Nordic regions, Canada, and high-altitude vineyards.
- Typical grape varieties: Riesling, Vidal Blanc, Pinot Noir (in some cases).
The key difference is that cool climate wines come from regions that are consistently cool but still suitable for traditional winemaking, while cold climate wines are from areas where grape-growing is more challenging due to extreme temperatures.**
What is a Cool Climate Wine?
Some lovers of wine just want a full-bodied Rutherglen or Barossa red and feel that the recent attention being devoted to Cool Climate Wines is nothing more than an act of snobbery. On the contrary, if one is prepared to slowly savour a wine, then Cool Climate Wines (CCW) can be highly rewarding.
In general, a CCW tends to be more subtle and elegant taste, with lower alcohol and a light body, but higher in acidity and the accompanying flavours – such as spicy, floral or herbaceous tones – will shine through. Aromas and flavours in CCW are complex and intense with the natural acidity bringing brightness and freshness. Accordingly, CCW are better suited to match a wide range of foods due to their medium bodied flavour profile which compliments your meal rather than overwhelms it.
Simon Hall, Winemaker for Simall Wines says “Most of my wines reflect the cool climate characteristics preferred by most of us. They aren’t as over-powering or rich as wines made from grapes grown in warm and hot climates. As I make my wines to possess an acid structure and finish that works well for a range of dishes, I like to describe them as balanced, where the many elements are in harmony. That’s the reason I fell in love with cool climate grapes.”
So, what defines a CCW?
CCW are made from grapes grown either:
South of latitude 37.5 degrees South
North of latitude 37.5 degrees North
From a property in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere which has an average January/July (as applicable) temperature below 19.5 degrees Celsius, as confirmed by the nearest Bureau of Meteorology site, or a vineyard site above 400m in altitude.
These vineyards are exposed to concentrated sunlight and cooler air temperatures which allow for longer ripening periods producing better balanced wines with moderate alcohol levels. The lower temperatures and higher solar radiation make for more concentrated flavours in the wines as UV rays are better able to penetrate the skins of the grape and ripen the pips producing supple tannins.
Some excellent CCW are grown outside these latitude ranges but at altitudes exceeding 400m above sea level. According to leading Orange winemaker Philip Shaw, less than 1% of Australian vineyards are above 600m. Slim pickings. He knows of no vineyard in Western Australia which comes close to 600m. In South Australia, the highest reaches of Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills nudge the 600m mark. But head east, especially north, and you will find a clutch of regions with vineyards over 600m, the highest rising to 1200m. They are nestled in or around the Great Dividing Rang which runs roughly parallel to the Queensland, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria coastline for some 20,000km. Accordingly, some excellent CCW can be found in vineyards around Canberra, Bathurst and Orange and even into the Queensland hinterland.
Lower temperatures are not the only reason why these altitudinal regions enjoy long growing seasons. The Great Dividing Range acts as a barrier to coastal summer rains which are a feature of Queensland and New South Wales’ tropical weather systems. Grapes can ‘walk to ripeness,’ with slow and steady tannin development and flavour accumulation. Higher ultraviolet light at altitude also helps to concentrate flavour compounds and produces higher but softer tannins.
All types of wine can be grown in either cool or warm climate, but they will have differing tastes from each other. For example, you can buy a pinot noir from either climate region, but a warm climate pinot will have a fuller body as opposed to the traditional light-bodied pinot.
Some of the more commonly grown CCW from around the world include:
Whites:
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Madeleine Angevine, Bacchus, Solaris, Chasselas, Müller-Thurgau and others
Reds:
Pinot Noir is the main red that does exceptionally well in cool climate wine regions. But some great Shiraz and Cabernets can be produced in cooler areas as well, including on the Mornington Peninsula. Other CC reds include Gamay, Schiava, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Rondo, Regent, Lagrein, Chambourcin.
Warm climate regions, are characterized by longer growing seasons and abundant sunshine, typically produce wines with ripe, bold fruit flavors. The heat promotes higher sugar levels in grapes, which translates into fuller-bodied wines with higher alcohol content. Common fruit descriptors for warm climate wines include rich, tropical notes such as mango, pineapple, and papaya, along with lush stone fruits like peach and apricot. In red wines, warm climates often enhance flavors of ripe berries, black cherries, and plums.
Hounds of Erie winery located in Port Rowan, Ontarion describe ss cold climate wines as :
A cold climate hybrid wine is made from grape varieties that are a cross between Vitis vinifera (the European wine grape) and other Vitis species like Vitis riparia or Vitis rupestris. These hybrid grapes are specifically bred for their ability to withstand the harsher conditions of cooler climates, including shorter growing seasons and colder winters
Researchers are working to clone grapes to suite different regions around the world. We also have Climate Change
In 2022, Ontario Artisan Wineries (OAW) was formed, and is comprised of small artisan wineries producing less than 2,000 cases of 100% Ontario Non-VQA wine. The objective of the OAW is to seek parity, equity, and choice for all 100% Ontario Non-VQA wineries, especially those growing cold climate grapes, which represents climate-smart agriculture. The plan is to undertake initiatives that celebrate, showcase and promote 100% cold climate grapes grown, vinified and bottled in Canada. In 2022, the Cold Climate Wine Awards was launched, which requires entries be made from 100% cold climate grapes. As well, in 2024, the Cold Climate Wine indication was launched, which requires wines to be made from 100% recognized cold climate grapes, grown in a cold climate, and independently evaluated by a panel of three judges. https://ccwa.ca/
* Wine Enthusiast
** Copilot
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