“Canada is an interesting place, the rest of the world thinks so, even if Canadians don't."
--- Terence M. Green, Canadian author b. 1947

Every four years the world turns its eyes to that city lucky enough (or in the case of Salt Lake City, ballsy enough to shell out hefty bribes and gifts of guns to members of the selection committee for the honor) to host an Olympic Games. This go it’s Vancouver, British Columbia. February 12 the games of the XXI Winter Olympiad will be begin and athletes with constitutions hearty enough to practice in freezing cold weather and who can compete in the kinds of harsh climatic conditions most sensible people make an effort to avoid, will get their chance to skate, ski and sled their way into the hearts of the viewing public.

(Photo: The actual leaf model used for the Canadian flag. )

This all must be very exciting for the host nation, but, being Americans what do we know about Canada? Probably not much. To allay this condition of ignorance concerning America’s attic here are some useful bits of wine information about Canada.

1. Canada’s cool climate means that the skins of their grapes are thicker which means some Canadian wines are higher in Resveratrol. Theoretically, drinking Canadian will make you live longer than if you drank many American wines from warmer climates with thinner skins.

2. Ile d’Orleans, a small island on the St. Lawrence River, was once called Isle de Bacchus. At one time the place was covered in grapes, most likely the native to North America, Catawba grape.

3. Canada’s version of the A.O.C. or D.O.C is the V.Q.A. (Vintner’s Quality Alliance). It started in Ontario in 1988. Some wineries in BC came on board 1990. It is an “Appellation of Origin” system that guarantees authenticity of origin and mandates minimum quality standards for Canadian wines. VQA wines must be made entirely from grapes grown in specific provinces and regions in Canada.

4. Most of the wine made in Canada comes from the Niagara Peninsula and the Okanaga Valley which is in British Columbia, home of the Games.

5. A wine called Andres Baby Duck sold 8 million bottles in 1973. Other wino makers who wanted in on the Baby Duck action bottled up knock-off versions with knock-off names like: Baby Bear, Baby Deer, Fuddle Duck, Luv-a-Duck, Pink Flamingo and Pussycat. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario is reputed to have recommended that one serves Baby Duck, "Chilled, with animal crackers."

6. Donald Ziraldo’s, maker of Inniskillin icewine won the Grand Prix d’Honneur in 1989 at the Vinoexpo in Bordeaux, France. He is the only Canadian winemaker to take this prize. Ziraldo also helped pioneer the VQA system.

7. Speaking of icewine, in order to be true Canadian icewine the juice must be at least 32° Brix after pressing, when measured in the fermentation tank. The alcohol must derive exclusively from the natural sugars of the grapes. Harvest of icewine grapes must start after 15 November. There are many more rules but they get kind of boring.  

 
8. Jackson-Triggs Esprit is the official wine supplier of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic games.

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