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International News

Defining the Best Single-Vineyards

in the Niagara Peninsula

By: Alyssa Andres
T he Niagara Peninsula is the largest viticul- different from one vineyard to the next within the

tural area in Canada, with two regional
peninsula. Some winemakers believe there is defin-
appellations and ten sub-appellations. The
single-vineyard to the next. For this reason, some
peninsula sits between the Niagara Escarpment itive variation in grapes even from one end of a
and Lake Ontario, creating a unique microclimate Niagara wineries are moving toward labeling their
that is sheltered from prevailing winds and insulat- wines by single-vineyard and starting to define
ed by its proximity to the lake. Many small rivers what the best vineyards are in the region.
and streams in the area provide an excellent water
source for vineyards through the long dry sum- Just like the Grand Cru vineyards in France, certain
mers, and the soft aspect of the escarpment pro- vineyards in Niagara stand out as being supreme.
vides excellent drainage. Centuries of erosion have Cave Spring is a vineyard that first rose to esteem
created a complex soil structure that varies from as one of the finest in the region. Located in the
location to location within the regional appella- Beamsville Bench sub-appellation of the Niagara
tions, from clay and silt to limestone and sand. The Escarpment, it is owned by the winemaking family,
unique variations in soil are ideal for creating wines the Pennachettis. The vineyard gets its name from
with distinct character and personality. the limestone caves and natural springs that sur-
These marked distinctions in terroir and climate round it.
mean that a Cabernet Franc will taste remarkably

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