O. Reg. 406/00: RULES OF VINTNERS QUALITY ALLIANCE ONTARIO RELATING TO TERMS FOR VQA WINE"

O. Reg. 406/00: RULES OF VINTNERS QUALITY ALLIANCE ONTARIO RELATING TO TERMS FOR VQA WINE, Under: Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999, S.O. 1999, c. 3

Today, December 5, 2024, current consolidated laws on e-Laws are current (up-to-date) to November 1, 2024 (e-Laws currency date).

Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999

ONTARIO REGULATION 406/00

Rules of Vintners Quality Alliance Ontario Relating to Terms for VQA Wine

Consolidation Period: From September 13, 2024 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: 359/24.

Legislative History: 6/02, 292/02, 255/03, 295/03, 47/04, 281/04, 590/05, 183/06, 47/07, 220/07, 278/08, 302/08, 129/09, 277/10, 193/11, 191/12, 395/12, 403/12, 62/14, 63/14, 16/15, 83/15, 142/16, 60/17, 174/17, 263/19, 329/19, 572/21, 244/22, 513/22, 237/23, 359/24.

This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.

CONTENTS

		Sections
		1
	Viticultural Areas	2
	Terms, Descriptions and Designations	3-3.1
	VQA Declarations	4
	Packaging	5
	Other Requirements	6
Table 1	Viticultural areas
Table 2	Vqa ontario labelling
Table 3	Sweetness descriptions on labels
Table 4	Declaration of method of production for sparkling wine — traditional method and sparkling wine — méthode cuve close
Table 5	Nomenclature permitted for sparkling wine — traditional method
APPENDIX A	MINIMUM BRIX LEVELS OF GRAPES
APPENDIX B	AUTHORIZED GRAPE VARIETIES

1. In these Rules,

“actual alcoholic strength by volume” means the number of volumes of pure alcohol contained at a temperature of 20°C in 100 volumes of wine at that temperature; (“titre alcoométrique volumique réel”)

“alcohol” means ethyl alcohol; (“éthanol”)

“approved” means approved by Vintners Quality Alliance Ontario (VQA Ontario) pursuant to the rules it makes under clause 5 (1) (d) of the Act; (“approuvé”)

“brix” means the quantity of dissolved solids expressed as grams of sucrose in 100 grams of grape juice or grape must at 20°C; (“degré Brix”)

“carbonic maceration” means a winemaking process in which whole grapes are placed for a few days in a closed tank whose atmosphere is comprised of carbon dioxide resulting either from an external source or from the respiration of the grapes and the fermentation of a part of the crushed grapes, or both; (“macération carbonique”)

“chaptalization” means enrichment by the addition of sugar to fresh grapes, grape juice or grape must, prior to or during fermentation; (“chaptalisation”)

“concentration” means any method by which grape juice or wine is concentrated and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes mechanical or chemical processes, heating, cooling or evaporation, and “concentrate” has a corresponding meaning; (“concentration”, “concentrer”)

“container” means a receptacle, package, wrapper or confining band in which a wine is offered for sale; (“récipient”)

“controlled by”, when referring to property of a bottling manufacturer, means property on which the manufacturer has the legal right to perform, and does perform, all of the acts common to viticulture under the terms of a lease, rental or similar agreement; (“contrôlé par”)

“cuvée” means grape must in fermentation or wine, or a mixture of grape musts in fermentation and wines, intended for the preparation of sparkling wine, having a total alcoholic strength of not less than 9 per cent by volume; (“cuvée de tirage”)

“domicile” means the principal place of business where a wine is produced and prepared for commercial packaging; (“domicile”)

“dosage” means the product added to sparkling wine to enhance specific flavour qualities or to maximize fill levels after dégorgement, or both; (“dosage”)

“fermentation” means the natural bio-chemical process by which yeast converts sugar to ethyl alcohol and other by-products; (“fermentation”)

“finish” means to carry out the treatments required to prepare a wine for packaging; (“finir”)

“fortify” means to add alcohol, brandy or fruit spirit to a wine; (“fortifier”)

“geographical indication” means an indication on the label or container of wine, other than the domicile of the manufacturer, that identifies a wine as originating from the Province of Ontario or a viticultural area listed in Table 1; (“indication géographique”)

“grape concentrate” means uncaramelized grape juice obtained by the partial dehydration of grape juice carried out by a recognized method in such a way that the figure indicated by a refractometer at a temperature of 20°C is not less than 45° brix and the actual alcohol is not more than 0.5 per cent by volume; (“concentré de raisin”)

“grape juice” means a non-alcoholic beverage obtained from fresh grapes or grape must that is used as the fermentable grape product in winemaking; (“jus de raisin”)

“grape must” means the liquid product obtained by crushing fresh grapes that has an actual alcoholic strength by volume of not more than 0.5 per cent at a temperature of 20°C; (“moût”)

“label” means any display of printed or written wording or graphic symbols, that are present on a container of wine or that are associated with a wine; (“étiquette”)

“late harvested wine” means wine that is produced entirely from fresh ripe grapes of which a portion has been desiccated under natural conditions on the vine in a manner that favours the concentration of sugars; (“vin de vendange tardive”)

“lees” means the sediment of grape seeds, pulp, stems, skin fragments, dead yeast cells and insoluble tartrates that settles to the bottom of a fermentation vessel; (“lie”)

“non-varietal wine” means a wine that does not identify a grape variety or varieties on the principal display panel; (“vin sans désignation de cépage”)

“principal display panel” means the label on a container of wine that is intended to be displayed to the consumer; (“espace principal”)

“process” means the physical, chemical and bio-chemical oenological practices and treatments that are recognized as good manufacturing practices acceptable in the production and packaging of wine; (“processus”)

“proprietary name” means the distinct name that is characteristic of the manufacturer who produced the wine, used on the principal display panel; (“nom de propriétaire”)

“provincial indication” means the geographical indication for the Province of Ontario; (“indication de la province”)

“rectified concentrated grape must” means concentrated grape must that has been rectified to not more than single strength; (“moût concentré rectifié”)

“single strength” means grape juice or grape must that has a brix level of 17° brix or the brix level of the grape juice or grape must at harvest, whichever is greater; (“non concentré”)

“sweet reserve” means single strength grape juice that is added to wine as a sweetener; (“jus de raisin de réserve”)

“varietal wine” means a wine that designates the grape variety or varieties used in its production on the principal display panel; (“vin de cépage”)

“vineyard designation” means the designation of the vineyard from which the grapes originated within the boundaries of a viticultural area listed in Table 1; (“désignation de vignoble”)

“vintage-dated wine” means wine that is derived from grapes grown in an identified crop year. (“vin millésimé”) O. Reg. 406/00, s. 1; O. Reg. 191/12, s. 1; O. Reg. 263/19, s. 1.

Viticultural Areas

2. (1) For the purposes of these rules, the viticultural areas are those areas listed in Table 1. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 2 (1).

(2) A person shall only use the term “viticultural area”, “appellation” or “sub-appellation” on a label or container of wine to describe a viticultural area. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 2 (2).

Terms, Descriptions and Designations

3. (1) For the purposes of section 5 of the Act, a person may use a label declaration set out in Column 1 of Table 2 on a label or container of approved wine if,

(a) the viticultural and oenological requirements set out opposite thereto in Column 2 are met;

(b) the principal display panel contains the information set out opposite thereto in Column 3;

(b.1) the information set out opposite thereto in Column 4 is affixed to the container;

(d) the minimum brix level of the grapes used to produce the wine is the level for the particular wine as set out in Appendix A;

(e) the wine is produced from the complete or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, grape juice or grape must with such additions as may be permitted under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) and the regulations under that Act;

(f) the label and container bear the VQA declarations required under section 4;

(g) the wine is packaged in accordance with section 5; and

(h) the requirements set out in section 6 are met, where applicable. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 3 (1); O. Reg. 193/11, s. 1; O. Reg. 191/12, s. 2; O. Reg. 263/19, s. 2 (1, 2).

(2) No person shall use the following terms, descriptions and designations on a label or container of wine unless the wine is approved and the conditions set out in clauses (1) (a) to (h) are satisfied:

1. Vintners Quality Alliance.

2. VQA.

3. Ontario.

4. Lake Erie North Shore.

5. Prince Edward County.

6. Niagara Peninsula.

7. Niagara Escarpment.

8. Niagara-on-the-Lake.

9. West Niagara.

10. South Islands.

11. Niagara River.

12. Niagara Lakeshore.

13. Four Mile Creek.

14. St. David’s Bench.

15. Lincoln Lakeshore.

16. Creek Shores.

17. Beamsville Bench.

18. Twenty Mile Bench.

19. Short Hills Bench.

20. Vinemount Ridge.

21. Estate Bottled.

22. Vineyard.

23. Meritage.

24. Icewine.

25. Botrytized.

26. Botrytis Affected.

27. B.A.

28. Totally Botrytized.

29. Totally Botrytis Affected.

30. T.B.A.

31. Late Harvest Wine.

32. Select Late Harvest Wine.

33. Special Select Late Harvest Wine.

34. Appassimento.

35. Vin de Curé.

36. Blanc de Noirs.

37. Icewine Dosage.

38. Dosage of Icewine.

39. Sparkling Icewine. O. Reg. 359/24, s. 1.

(3) No person shall use a variation of a term, description or designation referred to in subsection (2) or an abbreviation, logo or graphic symbol thereof unless the wine is approved and the conditions set out in clauses (1) (a) to (h) are satisfied. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 3 (3).

(4) No person shall use a term, description or designation or name on a label or container of wine that may mislead the consumer as to the quality, content or origin of the wine. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 3 (4).

(5) Revoked: O. Reg. 129/09, s. 2.

(6) A vintage year shall appear on the container of all approved wines except,

(a) sparkling wines;

(b) fortified wines;

(d) varietal and non-varietal table wines labelled exclusively with the geographical indication Ontario. O. Reg. 263/19, s. 2 (3).

(7) A vintage-dated wine shall be produced from grapes at least 85 per cent of which are grown in the specified vintage year. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 3 (7).

(7.1) Despite subsection (7), no VQA wine shall contain grape juice, grape must or wine originating from grapes harvested in 2001 except if the wine is vintage-dated 2001 or is Late Harvest Wine or Icewine. O. Reg. 295/03, s. 1.

(8) If sweet reserve is used in the production of a vintage-dated wine, the amount of sweet reserve shall be included in calculating the 85 per cent amount under subsection (7). O. Reg. 406/00, s. 3 (8).

3.1 A label or container of approved wine may designate more than one viticultural area only if,

(a) the primary appellation of origin of the wine appears on the principal display panel of the label or container;

(b) the wine is not otherwise disqualified from using the more specific appellation terms for technical reasons prescribed in this Regulation;

(c) the entire content of the wine by appellation is disclosed, in descending order and including the percentage of content of each appellation component of the wine;

(d) the additional appellations, after the primary appellation of origin of the wine, appear in a font size no larger than that of the primary appellation; and

(e) no other reference to an appellation for which the wine does not qualify is made on the label, signage, advertising, descriptions or other use that is associated with the wine. O. Reg. 395/12, s. 1.

VQA Declarations

4. (1) The manufacturer of an approved wine shall display the letters “VQA” on labels and containers of the wine in accordance with the following rule:

1. The letters “VQA” shall appear on the principal display panel,

i. on the same line as, and on either side of, the geographical indication,

ii. in a type size equal to the type size used for the geographical indication, and

iii. without artistic embellishment and in the same colour and typeface as that used for the geographical indication. O. Reg. 278/08, s. 1.

(1.1) The manufacturer of an approved wine shall display the geographical indication on labels and containers of the wine in accordance with the following rules:

1. The geographical indication shall appear without artistic embellishment.

2. If the container holds wine made in whole or in part from wine of the 2010 vintage year or any subsequent vintage year,

i. if the VQA logo appears on the container, the geographical indication shall appear in a type size that is at least 2.0 millimetres high on containers of wine with net contents of at least 375 millilitres, and in a type size that is at least 1.0 millimetres high on containers of wine with net contents less than 375 millilitres, and

ii. if the VQA logo does not appear on the container, the geographical indication shall appear on the principal display panel in a type size that is at least 3.2 millimetres high. O. Reg. 278/08, s. 1; .O. Reg. 191/12, s. 3 (1).

(1.2) If the VQA logo appears on a container, it shall appear in accordance with the standards set out in the “VQA Medallion Graphic Standards Manual” published by Vintners Quality Alliance Ontario and dated September 5, 2019. O. Reg. 191/12, s. 3 (2); O. Reg. 329/19, s. 1.

(2) Revoked: O. Reg. 142/16, s. 1.

(3) No manufacturer of an approved wine shall use the letters “VQA” on a label or container of the wine with any words or symbols that express or imply superiority. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 4 (3).

(4) The manufacturer of a wine that is not approved shall not use the letters “VQA” or the VQA logo on a label or container of the wine. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 4 (4).

(5) No manufacturer shall use, without the express permission of VQA Ontario, the term Vintners Quality Alliance or any other term, description or designation regulated by or under the Act, the regulations or the rules to describe a liquor that has not been approved. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 4 (5).

Packaging

5. A manufacturer of wine shall ensure that an approved wine is packaged in accordance with the following rules:

1. Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3, the wine shall be packaged for final sale to the consumer in a glass bottle.

2. The wine may be in a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminium, stainless steel or multi-layer container that preserves the quality of the wine for the expected shelf life of the container if the date on which the container was filled appears on the container.

3. The wine may be packaged for sale to wholesalers in any type of container up to a maximum volume of 20 litres if the purpose of the packaging is for resale in smaller servings.

4. The packaging shall comply with the Safe Food for Canadians Act (Canada).

5. The wine shall be packaged in accordance with good manufacturing practices.

6. All containers of wine shall be closed with a tamper evident seal that preserves the quality of the wine for the shelf life of the container.

7. A manufacturer shall make reasonable efforts to monitor the shelf life of its wines to ensure that their quality is maintained up to the point of sale.

8. The terms “estate bottled” and “fermented in this bottle” and any other term relating to bottling shall only be used on a label in respect of a wine that is packaged in a glass bottle. O. Reg. 191/12, s. 4; O. Reg. 16/15, s. 1; O. Reg. 263/19, s. 3.

Other Requirements

6. (1) A manufacturer of wine shall not add water to grape juice, grape must or wine during any stage of the manufacturing process for the purpose of increasing the yield, except to the extent necessary to prepare materials used in the manufacture of wine as permitted under the Food and Drugs Act (Canada). O. Reg. 406/00, s. 6 (1).

(2) Where a manufacturer of wine is permitted to add sweet reserve as part of the wine manufacturing process,

(a) the volume of sweet reserve that may be added shall not exceed 15 per cent by volume of the total volume of the wine that is produced; and

(b) the amount of sweet reserve used shall be included when calculating the varietal content and vintage content of the wine. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 6 (2).

(3) A manufacturer of wine shall not fortify a wine other than a fortified wine that meets the requirements set out in Table 2. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 6 (3).

(4) Where a manufacturer of wine may use chaptalization as part of the process of manufacturing the wine, the following conditions shall be met:

1. For wines identified by a viticultural area, the amount of sugar shall not exceed 42.5 grams of sugar (dry basis) per litre of juice or that amount that will result in an increase of not more than 2.5 per cent alcohol by volume.

2. For wines identified by a provincial indication, the amount of sugar shall not exceed 60.5 grams of sugar (dry basis) per litre of juice or that amount that will result in an increase of not more than 3.5 per cent alcohol by volume. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 6 (4).

(5) Where a manufacturer of wine labels a wine with a sweetness description set out in Column 1 of Table 3, the residual sugar level of the wine shall not exceed the amount set out opposite thereto in Column 2 and shall have a total acid level that is not less than the level set out opposite thereto in Column 3. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 6 (5).

(6) A manufacturer of wine shall not label a wine with any customary or generic wine names listed in subsection 11.18 (3) of the Trade-marks Act (Canada) or with any other geographical indication or traditional expression to which it is not entitled in law. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 6 (6).

(7) A manufacturer of wine shall assume the responsibility for determining if it is violating any trade-mark, manufacturer’s proprietary right or any other intellectual property right of any person. O. Reg. 406/00, s. 6 (7).

TABLE 1
Viticultural Areas

Item	Column 1 Name of Area	Column 2 Description of Area
1.	Lake Erie North Shore	The land within the political boundaries of the Township of Pelee and Essex, Kent and Elgin counties, except the part of Kent County lying to the north of the Thames River
2.	Prince Edward County	The land within the political boundaries of Prince Edward County and Amherst Island and all lands within the following boundaries: North: Highway 2 West: Highway 30 and County Road 66 in Northumberland County South: The northern border with Prince Edward County East: County Roads 21, 8 and 41 in Lennox and Addington County
3.	Niagara Peninsula	The land bounded by Lake Ontario on the north, the Niagara River on the east, the Welland River on the south and Highway 56 and 20 on the west
4.	Niagara Escarpment	All the lands within the Beamsville Bench, Twenty Mile Bench, Short Hills Bench and St. David’s Bench sub-viticultural areas described in this Table
5.	Niagara-on-the-Lake	All the lands within the Niagara River, Niagara Lakeshore, Four Mile Creek and St. David’s Bench sub-viticultural areas described in this Table
6.	West Niagara	All the lands within the Beamsville Bench, Twenty Mile Bench, Short Hills Bench, Creek Shores, Lincoln Lakeshore and Vinemount Ridge sub-viticultural areas described in this Table
7.	South Islands	The land within the political boundaries of the Township of Pelee
8.	Niagara River	The land within the following boundaries: North: John Street between Concession 1 Road (Railroad Street) and the Niagara River South: Dee Road between Concession 1 Road and the Niagara River East: The Niagara River West: Concession 1 Road
9.	Niagara Lakeshore	The land within the following boundaries: North: Lake Ontario South: Scott Street, Niagara Town Line Road, Line 1 Road East: Niagara River, John Street West, Concession 1 Road West: Welland Canal
10.	Four Mile Creek	The land within the following boundaries: North: Scott Street, Niagara Town Line Road, Line 1 Road South: Beginning at the intersection of Irvine Road and Queenston Road, east on Queenston Road to Martin Road, east on Martin Road to Townline Road, north on Townline Road to the northwest corner of Lot 179 (Concession 7) and east along the northern boundaries of Lot 179 (Concession 7), Lot 144 (Concession 6), Lot 133 (Concession 5) to Concession 5 Road, south on Concession 5 Road to Line 9 road allowance and Line 9, east on Line 9 to Concession 1 Road (Railroad Street) East: Concession 1 Road West: York Road, Welland Canal
11.	St. David’s Bench	The land within the following boundaries: North: Beginning at the intersection of Irvine Road and Queenston Road, east on Queenston Road to Martin Road, east on Martin Road to Townline Road, north on Townline Road to the northwest corner of Lot 179 (Concession 7) and east along the northern boundaries of Lot 179 (Concession 7), Lot 144 (Concession 6), Lot 133 (Concession 5) to Concession 5 Road, south on Concession 5 Road to Line 9 road allowance and Line 9, east on Line 9 to Concession 1 Road (Railroad Street), south on Concession 1 road allowance to Dee Road and east on Dee Road to the Niagara River South: Beginning at intersection of Beechwood Road and CN railway tracks continue east along CN railway tracks to St. Paul Avenue, north on St. Paul Avenue (St. David’s Road) to Townline Road, east on Townline Road to the western boundary of the Escarpment Natural Area (ENA), continuing north and then northeast along ENA boundary to York Road, east on York Road to the Niagara River East: Niagara River West: Beechwood Road continuing north as Taylor Road and across the QEW to meet Queenston Road.
12.	Lincoln Lakeshore	The land within the following boundaries: North: Lake Ontario South: Regional Road 81 between Twenty Mile Creek and Park Road, then south along Park Road, then west along the northern boundary of the ENA between Park Road and Winona Road East: Twenty Mile Creek and Jordan Harbour West: Winona Road
13.	Creek Shores	The land within the following boundaries: North: Lake Ontario South: Regional Road 81 East: Twelve Mile Creek West: Twenty Mile Creek, Jordan Harbour
14.	Beamsville Bench	The land within the following boundaries: North: Regional Road 81 South: Northern boundary of the ENA East: Beginning at Tintern Road and northern boundary of ENA, continuing northeast along northern boundary of ENA to intersection with Regional Road 81 West: Park Road
15.	Twenty Mile Bench	The land within the following boundaries: North: Regional Road 81 South: Beginning at Tintern Road and northwest corner of the Niagara Escarpment Mineral Extraction Zone (NEMEZ) east along northern boundary of NEMEZ to Victoria Avenue, south on Victoria Avenue to Sixth Avenue and east on Sixth Avenue to Twenty Mile Creek. Continue east on Sixth Avenue to Twenty-First Street, south on Twenty-First Street to 7th Avenue, east on 7th Avenue to the northwest corner of the Louth Conservation Area, follow northern boundary of Louth Conservation Area east to the northern boundary of ENA, east along northern boundary of ENA to Fifteen Mile Creek East: Fifteen Mile Creek West: Beginning at Tintern Road and northern boundary of ENA, continuing northeast along northern boundary of ENA to intersection with Regional Road 81
16.	Short Hills Bench	The land within the following boundaries: North: Regional Road 81 South: Beginning at 15 Mile Creek and Pelham Road, east on Pelham Road to northern boundary of ENA, east along northern boundary of ENA to municipal boundary between Towns of Lincoln and Pelham, continuing east on municipal boundary to Lot 4 (Concession 1), south on eastern boundary of Lot 4 to northern boundary of Short Hills Provincial Park and east along northern boundary of Short Hills Provincial Park to Twelve Mile Creek East: Twelve Mile Creek and Short Hills Provincial Park West: Fifteen Mile Creek.
17.	Vinemount Ridge	The land within the following boundaries: North: Beginning at the northern boundary of ENA and Centennial Parkway, east along the northern boundary of ENA to Tintern Road, south on Tintern Road to the northwest corner of the NEMEZ, east along northern boundary of NEMEZ to Victoria Avenue, south on Victoria Avenue to Sixth Avenue and east on Sixth Avenue to Twenty Mile Creek. Continue east on Sixth Avenue to Twenty-First Street, south on Twenty-First Street to 7th Avenue, east along 7th Avenue to the northwest corner of the Louth Conservation Area, follow northern boundary of Louth Conservation Area east to the northern boundary of ENA, east along ENA to Fifteen Mile Creek, south along Fifteen Mile Creek to Pelham Road, east on Pelham Road to north boundary of ENA, east along northern boundary of ENA to municipal boundary between Towns of Lincoln and Pelham, continuing east on municipal boundary to Lot 4 (Concession 1), south along the eastern boundary to Lot 4 to Short Hills Provincial Park South: Beginning at the southern boundary of ENA and Green Mountain Road, east on Green Mountain Road, north along 11th Road East, east on Powerline Road, then Kemp Road, south on Thirty Road to Twenty Mile Creek, east along Twenty Mile Creek to Victoria Avenue, south on Victoria Avenue to Kilman Road, east on Kilman Road to Twelve Mile Creek, and northeast along Twelve Mile Creek East: Beginning at Twelve Mile Creek and the western boundary of Short Hills Provincial Park, continue north on west boundary of park to east boundary of Lot 4 (Concession 1) West: Centennial Parkway

O. Reg. 359/24, s. 2.

TABLE 2
Vqa Ontario Labelling

1. Geographical Indication VQA — Ontario — VQA

Column 1 Label Declarations	Column 2 Viticultural and Oenological Requirements	Column 3 Required Information (Principal display panel)	Column 4 Required Information (Any surface of the container, except the top or bottom)	Column 5 Conditions (including optional Nomenclature)
1. Ontario	100% of the grapes used to produce the wine shall be grown in Ontario and be of varieties listed in Appendix B. The wine shall be entirely fermented, processed, blended, finished and packaged in Ontario.	VQA — Ontario — VQA	Grape variety or varieties, or proprietary name if wine made from 100% vitis vinifera varieties	Except for fortified wines and liqueur wines, a provincially designated wine produced from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties that is produced and labelled as a varietal wine (single-varietal, dual-varietal, triple-varietal or multi-varietal) or as a non-varietal wine, and only references vitis vinifera grape varieties on the label, shall not contain wine produced from hybrid grape varieties. A provincially designated wine produced from one or more hybrid grape varieties shall be produced and labelled as a varietal wine (single-varietal, dual-varietal, triple-varietal or multi-varietal) and may contain wine produced from vitis vinifera grape varieties, in accordance with this Table. A provincially designated wine produced from a combination of hybrid and vitis vinifera grape varieties shall be produced and labelled as a dual-varietal, triple-varietal or multi-varietal wine in accordance with the requirements for varietal wines in this Table.

2. Geographical Indication VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA, Vineyard and Estate

Column 1 Label Declarations	Column 2 Viticultural and Oenological Requirements	Column 3 Required Information (Principal display panel)	Column 4 Required Information (Any surface of the container, except the top or bottom)	Column 5 Conditions (including optional Nomenclature)
1. Lake Erie North Shore 2. Niagara Peninsula 3. Prince Edward County	Except for vidal used in the production of an Icewine, the wine shall be produced exclusively from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties listed in item 1 of Appendix B that are grown in Ontario. At least 85% of the grapes used to produce the wine shall be grown within the named viticultural area. The wine shall be entirely fermented, processed, blended, finished and bottled in Ontario.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	A wine designated by a viticultural area shall be produced and labelled as a varietal wine or as a non-varietal wine in accordance with the requirements in this Table. The viticultural area shall denote the origin of the grapes, not the location of the processing facility. A label may designate multiple viticultural areas but only to describe the actual percentage content from each and every viticultural area component of the wine.
3.1 Niagara-on-the-Lake 3.2 Niagara Escarpment 3.2.1 West Niagara	Except for vidal used in the production of an Icewine, the wine shall be produced exclusively from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties listed in item 1 of Appendix B that are grown in Ontario. At least 85% of the grapes used to produce the wine shall be grown within the named sub-viticultural area. The remaining 15% shall be grown within the Niagara Peninsula. The wine shall be entirely fermented, processed, blended, finished and bottled in Ontario.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	A wine designated by a sub-viticultural area shall be produced and labelled as a varietal wine or as a non-varietal wine in accordance with the requirements in this Table. The viticultural area shall denote the origin of the grapes, not the location of the processing facility. A label may contain the designation of the appropriate viticultural areas in addition to the sub-viticultural area. Either one may appear with the letters “VQA” on either side, in accordance with section 4.
3.3 Niagara River 3.4 Niagara Lakeshore 3.5 Four Mile Creek 3.6 St. David’s Bench 3.7 Beamsville Bench 3.8 Twenty Mile Bench 3.9 Short Hills Bench 3.10 Lincoln Lakeshore 3.11 Creek Shores 3.12 Vinemount Ridge 3.13 South Islands	Except for vidal used in the production of an Icewine, the wine shall be produced exclusively from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties listed in item 1 of Appendix B that are grown in Ontario. 100% of the grapes used to produce the wine shall be grown within the named sub-viticultural area. The wine shall be entirely fermented, processed, blended, finished and bottled in Ontario.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	A wine designated by a sub-viticultural area shall be produced and labelled as a varietal wine or as a non-varietal wine in accordance with the requirements in this Table. The viticultural area shall denote the origin of the grapes, not the location of the processing facility. A label may contain the designation of the appropriate viticultural areas in addition to the sub-viticultural area. Either one may appear with the letters “VQA” on either side, in accordance with section 4.
4. Vineyard Name	Except for vidal used in the production of an Icewine, the wine shall be produced entirely from vitis vinifera grapes listed in item 1 of Appendix B grown in the named vineyard. The vineyard shall be located within a viticultural area. The wine shall be entirely fermented, processed, blended, finished and bottled in Ontario.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	Except for the use of the word “estate”, “vineyard” shall be the only word used to identify a specific vineyard. The word “estate” may be used interchangeably with the word “vineyard” if the legal description of the vineyard includes the word “estate”.
5. Estate Bottled	Except for vidal used in the production of an Icewine, the wine shall be produced entirely from vitis vinifera grapes listed in item 1 of Appendix B grown on land owned or controlled by the bottling winery. The land owned or controlled by the bottling winery shall be located within a viticultural area. The harvesting and crushing of the grapes, the fermenting of the resulting must and the finishing, aging and bottling of the wine shall be carried out by the bottling winery. The finished wine shall have at no time left the domicile of the manufacturer prior to being bottled.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	A manufacturer shall not use the designation “Estate Bottled” in the case of land controlled by the manufacturer or a co-operative bottling winery during the first three years of any leasehold term. Grapes grown by the members of a co-operative bottling winery shall be considered to have been grown on land controlled by the winery if the land is owned or controlled by any or all of the members of the co-operative. If the term “Estate Bottled” is used, the viticultural area where the grapes originated shall be declared.

3. Varietal Wine

Column 1 Label Declarations	Column 2 Viticultural and Oenological Requirements	Column 3 Required Information (Principal display panel)	Column 4 Required Information (Any surface of the container, except the top or bottom)	Column 5 Conditions (including optional Nomenclature)
1. Single-Varietal Wine	The wine shall be a varietal wine whose varietal content is primarily one grape variety and where at least 85% of the total wine by volume at a temperature of 20°C is derived from the single grape variety named on the label. The amount of sweet reserve used in making the wine shall be included in the calculation when determining the varietal content of a varietal wine.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year (vintage year optional for table wines labelled exclusively with the Ontario geographical indication) Grape variety	Only grape variety or varieties listed in item 1 and subitem 2 i of Appendix B shall be indicated on the label. A numerical description contained in the name of a grape variety shall not be used on the label. Hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B shall only be allowed for use in the production of a provincially designated varietal wine that declares the name of one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B on the label but only in such volume as is permitted for the undeclared portion of a varietal wine as the case requires. A wine produced from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties that is labelled as a varietal wine and only references vitis vinifera varieties on the label shall not contain wine produced from hybrid grape varieties. A wine produced from one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B that is labelled as a varietal wine may contain wine produced from vitis vinifera grape varieties. Varietal wines containing hybrid grapes shall only be entitled to a provincial designation. The declared variety or varieties shall be listed on the label in descending order of quantity, in identical type and identically displayed. Nothing shall be appended to a varietal name or names that may confuse or mislead the consumer as to the name of a grape variety. The term Musqué shall not be used except in the context of the varietal name Chardonnay Musqué. The term Fumé shall not be used except in the context of the synonym Fumé Blanc used for the varietal name Sauvignon Blanc. A proprietary name may appear on the label in conjunction with a named grape variety or varieties.
2. Dual-Varietal Wine	The wine shall be a varietal wine whose varietal content is primarily two grape varieties where at least 90% of the total wine by volume at a temperature of 20°C is derived from the two grape varieties named on the label and at least 15% of the total wine by volume at a temperature of 20°C is derived from the second of the two grape varieties named on the label. The amount of sweet reserve used in making the wine shall be included in the calculation when determining the varietal content of a varietal wine.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year (vintage year optional for table wines labelled exclusively with the Ontario geographical indication) Grape varieties	Only the grape variety or varieties listed in item 1 and subitem 2 i of Appendix B shall be indicated on the label. A numerical description contained in the name of a grape variety shall not be used on the label. Hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 ii of Appendix B shall only be allowed for use in the production of a provincially designated varietal wine that declares the name of one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B on the label but only in such volume as is permitted for the undeclared portion of a varietal wine as the case requires. A wine produced from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties that is labelled as a varietal wine and only references vitis vinifera varieties on the label shall not contain wine produced from hybrid grape varieties. A wine produced from one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B that is labelled as a varietal wine may contain wine produced from vitis vinifera grape varieties. Varietal wines containing hybrid grapes shall only be entitled to a provincial designation. The declared variety or varieties shall be listed on the label in descending order of quantity, in identical type and identically displayed. Nothing shall be appended to a varietal name or names that may confuse or mislead the consumer as to the name of a grape variety. The term Musqué shall not be used except in the context of the varietal name Chardonnay Musqué. The term Fumé shall not be used except in the context of the synonym Fumé Blanc used for the varietal name Sauvignon Blanc. A proprietary name may appear on the label in conjunction with a named grape variety or varieties.
3. Triple-Varietal Wine	The wine shall be a varietal wine whose varietal content is primarily three grape varieties where at least 95% of the total wine by volume at a temperature of 20°C is derived from the three grape varieties named on the label, at least 15% of the total wine by volume at a temperature of 20°C is derived from the second of the three grape varieties named on the label and at least 10% of the total wine by volume is derived from the third of the three grape varieties named on the label. The amount of sweet reserve used in making the wine shall be included in the calculation when determining the varietal content of a varietal wine.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year (vintage year optional for table wines labelled exclusively with the Ontario geographical indication) Grape varieties	Only the grape variety or varieties listed in item 1 and subitem 2 i of Appendix B shall be indicated on the label. A numerical description contained in the name of a grape variety shall not be used on the label. Hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 ii of Appendix B shall only be allowed for use in the production of a provincially designated varietal wine that declares the name of one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B on the label but only in such volume as is permitted for the undeclared portion of a varietal wine as the case requires. A wine produced from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties that is labelled as a varietal wine and only references vitis vinifera varieties on the label shall not contain wine produced from hybrid grape varieties. A wine produced from one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B that is labelled as a varietal wine may contain wine produced from vitis vinifera grape varieties. Varietal wines containing hybrid grapes shall only be entitled to a provincial designation. The declared variety or varieties shall be listed on the label in descending order of quantity, in identical type and identically displayed. Nothing shall be appended to a varietal name or names that may confuse or mislead the consumer as to the name of a grape variety. The term Musqué shall not be used except in the context of the varietal name Chardonnay Musqué. The term Fumé shall not be used except in the context of the synonym Fumé Blanc used for the varietal name Sauvignon Blanc. A proprietary name may appear on the label in conjunction with a named grape variety or varieties.
4. Multi-Varietal Wine	The wine shall be a varietal wine whose varietal content is primarily four or more grape varieties where at least 95% of the total wine by volume at a temperature of 20°C is derived from the four or more grape varieties named on the label. The amount of sweet reserve used in making the wine shall be included in the calculation when determining the varietal content of a varietal wine.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year (vintage year optional for table wines labelled exclusively with the Ontario geographical indication) Grape varieties	Only the grape variety or varieties listed in item 1 and subitem 2 i of Appendix B shall be indicated on the label. A numerical description contained in the name of a grape variety shall not be used on the label. Hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 ii of Appendix B shall only be allowed for use in the production of a provincially designated varietal wine that declares the name of one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B on the label but only in such volume as is permitted for the undeclared portion of a varietal wine as the case requires. A wine produced from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties that is labelled as a varietal wine and only references vitis vinifera varieties on the label shall not contain wine produced from hybrid grape varieties. A wine produced from one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B that is labelled as a varietal wine may contain wine produced from vitis vinifera grape varieties. Varietal wines containing hybrid grapes shall only be entitled to a provincial designation. The declared variety or varieties shall be listed on the label in descending order of quantity, in identical type and identically displayed. Nothing shall be appended to a varietal name or names that may confuse or mislead the consumer as to the name of a grape variety. The term Musqué shall not be used except in the context of the varietal name Chardonnay Musqué. The term Fumé shall not be used except in the context of the synonym Fumé Blanc used for the varietal name Sauvignon Blanc. A proprietary name may appear on the label in conjunction with a named grape variety or varieties.

4. Non-Varietal Wines

Column 1 Label Declarations	Column 2 Viticultural and Oenological Requirements	Column 3 Required Information (Principal display panel)	Column 4 Required Information (Any surface of the container, except the top or bottom)	Column 5 Conditions (including optional Nomenclature)
1. Blended Wines (proprietary name)	The wine shall be produced exclusively from one or more vitis vinifera varieties listed in item 1 of Appendix B. No hybrid grapes shall be used in blended wine.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year (vintage year optional for table wines labelled exclusively with the Ontario geographical indication)	Grape variety names shall not be declared on the label of a non-varietal wine. No abbreviations or other symbols that imply specific grape varieties may be used on the label of a blended wine.
2. Meritage	The wine shall be, i. a red wine produced from a blend of two or more of the following grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, or ii. a white wine produced from a blend of two or more of the following grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle. No single variety shall make up more than 90% of the blend.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year (vintage year optional for table wines labelled exclusively with the Ontario geographical indication)	None

5. Wine Categories

Column 1 Label Declarations	Column 2 Viticultural and Oenological Requirements	Column 3 Required Information (Principal display panel)	Column 4 Required Information (Any surface of the container, except the top or bottom)	Column 5 Conditions (including optional Nomenclature)
1. Wine or Table Wine	The wine shall be an alcoholic beverage produced by the complete or partial alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, grape juice or grape must and shall not include grape concentrate. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The grapes used in the manufacture of wine shall be grown within a geographical indication as set out in this Table. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year (vintage year optional for table wines labelled exclusively with the Ontario geographical indication) Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	None
2. Icewine	The wine shall be a late harvested wine. The wine shall be produced entirely from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties listed in item 1 of Appendix B or the hybrid grape variety Vidal, naturally frozen on the vine, picked while the air temperature is minus 8°C or lower and immediately pressed after picking in a continuous process. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. If the wine contains the grape variety Vidal Blanc, the wine shall be produced as a varietal wine in accordance with the requirements for varietal wines in this Table. 100% of the grapes shall be grown in a viticultural area of which at least 85% shall be grown in the named viticultural area shown on the label and the pressing shall take place within the viticultural area where the grapes were grown. Grapes, juice or grape must intended for the production of Icewine may be artificially refrigerated to a temperature of not less than minus 4°C. No freeze concentration of juice, grape must or wine shall be used. The brix level of the juice after each pressing shall be at least 32° when measured after transfer to the fermentation vessel. The finished wine shall be produced from a must that achieves a computed average of not less than 35° brix. The residual sugar at bottling shall result exclusively from the natural sugar of the grapes and shall be not less than 100 g/L. The actual alcohol shall result exclusively from the natural sugar of the grapes. Subject to subsection 6 (2), sweet reserve may be added if the minimum brix level of the grapes used in the sweet reserve was 32^o brix at harvest. The production of the wine shall be monitored so that the manufacturer can provide the information on production required by Ontario Regulation 405/00 (General) made under the Act.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties	Only the sweetness descriptions set out in Table 3 (Icewine) shall be used on the label.
3. Botrytized Wine	The wine shall be a late harvested wine that has been affected under natural conditions by the mould Botrytis cinerea. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. 100% of the grapes shall be grown in a viticultural area of which at least 85% shall be grown in the named viticultural area shown on the label and the pressing shall take place within the viticultural area where the grapes were grown. The wine shall be produced as a varietal wine in accordance with the requirements of this Table. The juice resulting from the pressing of the grapes shall achieve a brix level when measured after transfer to the fermentation vessel as specified in Table 2 of Appendix A. The residual sugar and the actual alcohol shall result exclusively from the natural sugar of the grapes. Subject to subsection 6 (2), sweet reserve may be added if the minimum brix level of the grapes used in the sweet reserve was 26^obrix at harvest. The wine produced shall have the predominant character of wine made from botrytized grapes.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties	Except for wine that meets the requirements for totally botrytized wine, the wine shall be labelled Botrytized, Botrytis Affected or B.A.
4. Totally Botrytized Wine	The wine shall be a late harvested wine. The wine shall meet the requirements for botrytized wines. The juice resulting from pressing shall achieve a minimum brix level when measured after transfer to the fermentation vessel as specified in Table 2 of Appendix A. Subject to subsection 6 (2), sweet reserve may be added if the minimum brix level of the grapes used in the sweet reserve was 34^obrix at harvest.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties	The wine may be labelled Totally Botrytized, Totally Botrytis Affected or T.B.A.
5. Late Harvest Wine	The wine shall be a late harvested wine produced exclusively from fresh ripe grapes that have been naturally harvested on the vine. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. The residual sugar and the actual alcohol shall result exclusively from the natural sugar of the grapes. Subject to subsection 6 (2), sweet reserve may be added if the minimum brix level of the grapes used in the sweet reserve was 22^obrix at harvest.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	None
6. Select Late Harvest Wine	The wine shall be a late harvested wine produced exclusively from fresh ripe grapes that have been naturally harvested on the vine. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. The residual sugar and the actual alcohol shall result exclusively from the natural sugar of the grapes. Subject to subsection 6 (2), sweet reserve may be added if the minimum brix level of the grapes used in the sweet reserve was 26^obrix at harvest.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	None
7. Special Select Late Harvest Wine	The wine shall be a late harvested wine produced exclusively from fresh ripe grapes that have been naturally harvested on the vine. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. The residual sugar and the actual alcohol shall result exclusively from the natural sugar of the grapes. Subject to subsection 6 (2), sweet reserve may be added if the minimum brix level of the grapes used in the sweet reserve was 30^obrix at harvest.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	None
8. Vin de Curé or Appassimento	The wine shall be produced exclusively from fresh grapes that have been naturally harvested on the vine and at least 85% of the grapes have been subsequently dried. The wine shall be produced from grape varieties listed in item 1 and subitem 2 i of Appendix B. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 20.0% by volume. After harvest, the grapes shall be left to dry in a dry, ventilated place until they yield a must of at least 26° brix when measured after transfer to the fermentation vessel. The period of drying to achieve the final brix shall not be less than 30 days. No artificial temperature control or heat source shall be used to dry the grapes except for the purpose of maintaining the ambient temperature in the drying location between 5°C and 18°C. The residual sugar and the actual alcohol shall result exclusively from the natural sugar of the grapes. No sweet reserve shall be added.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	A label may declare that the appassimento method was used for a portion of dried grapes that is more than 15% but less than 85% of the grapes used in the wine, if the dried portion meets the requirements set out in column 2 of this item and the actual percentage content derived from dried grapes is stated. In this case, the words “appassimento method” in full must appear in the same font and type size on the same line with the percentage declared and no other reference to the single word “appassimento” shall appear on the label.
9. Nouveau Red	The wine shall be produced exclusively from fresh grapes that have been naturally harvested on the vine. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. The vinification shall involve at least partial carbonic maceration. The wine shall be produced as a varietal wine in accordance with the requirements for varietal wines in this Table.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties	None
10. Blanc de Noirs	The wine shall be produced exclusively from fresh grapes listed in Appendix B that are harvested naturally on the vine, of which at least 85% shall be a red variety. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. The juice shall be separated from the skins prior to fermentation and vinified using processes and treatments suitable for the production of white wine.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Vintage year Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	The term Blanc de Noirs shall be prominently displayed on the label.
11. Fortified Wine	The wine shall be the product obtained by adding alcohol (derived from the alcoholic fermentation of a food source and distilled to not less than 94% alcohol by volume), grape brandy or fruit spirit to wine, or grape juice or grape must in fermentation. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The actual alcohol content shall be greater than 14.9% but not greater than 20% by volume at 20°C. The wine shall be produced from grapes listed in Appendix B that have been naturally harvested on the vine.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	None	Fortified wine may be labelled as “Estate Bottled” if the bottling winery distilled the grape brandy or grape spirit. Only the sweetness descriptions set out in Table 3 shall be used on the label.
12. Liqueur Wine	The wine shall be obtained exclusively from the alcoholic fermentation of fresh grapes, grape juice, grape must, or wine and shall have an alcohol content greater than 14.9% but not greater than 20% by volume. The grapes used in the wine shall be grown within a geographical indication. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	None	Subject to subsection 5 (1) of the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) and section 6 of the Safe Food for Canadians Act (Canada), liqueur wine may be designated “Natural” if the residual sugar results exclusively from the sugar of the grapes. Only the sweetness descriptions set out in Table 3 shall be used on the label.
13. Sparkling Wine — Traditional Method	The wine shall be surcharged with carbon dioxide gas to a pressure not less than 300 kPa at 20°C. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) contained in the wine shall result exclusively from the alcoholic fermentation of the “cuvée” from which it was prepared. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume, including the alcohol contained in any “dosage” added. The wine shall be produced by a secondary alcoholic fermentation in a glass bottle having a capacity not exceeding 6 L and shall be made exclusively from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties listed in item 1 of Appendix B. The wine shall be separated from its lees by disgorging after a minimum maturation period, on the lees, of not less than 12 months for vintage-dated wine and not less than nine months for non-vintage dated wine. The finished wine shall be sold in the bottle in which the secondary fermentation took place. The wine shall at no time have left the bottle prior to final corking. The wine shall have the aroma, taste and characteristics of a wine derived from the traditional method. Carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) may be used to maintain counter pressure during the process of racking or the transfer of a finished wine from a bulk process tank to a container if the content of carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) contained in the wine is not increased.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name Method of production in accordance with the nomenclature set out in Table 4	If the label bears the vintage year, the wine shall be on the lees for not less than 12 months. Sweetness descriptors may be used in accordance with the nomenclature set out in Table 3.
14. Sparkling Wine — Méthode Cuve Close	The wine shall be surcharged with carbon dioxide gas to a pressure not less than 300 kPa at 20°C. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) contained in the wine shall result exclusively from the alcoholic fermentation of the “cuvée” from which it was prepared. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume, including the alcohol contained in any “dosage” added. The wine shall be produced by primary or secondary alcoholic fermentation in a closed vessel having a capacity exceeding 5 L. The winemaking process from the start of the alcoholic fermentation designed to make the wine sparkling, including aging at the domicile where the wine was made, shall not be less than six months. The alcoholic fermentation process designed to make the “cuvée” sparkling and the presence of the “cuvée” on the lees shall not be less than 80 days, or if the fermentation takes place in a tank using a mixer, not less than 30 days. The wine shall be produced either as a varietal wine or as a blended wine, in accordance with the requirements for varietal wine in this Table. Carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) may be used to maintain counter pressure during the process of racking or the transfer of a finished wine from a bulk process tank to a container if the content of carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) contained in the wine is not increased.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name Méthode Cuve Close or Charmat Method	Sweetness descriptors may be used in accordance with the nomenclature set out in Table 3.
15. Charmat Method	The wine shall be a sparkling wine produced using the méthode cuve close by a secondary alcoholic fermentation and shall otherwise meet the requirements set out in this Table for Sparkling Wine — Méthode Cuve Close.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Grape variety or proprietary name Méthode Cuve Close or Charmat Method	Sweetness descriptors may be used in accordance with the nomenclature set out in Table 3.
16. Sparkling Wine	The wine shall be surcharged with carbon dioxide gas to a pressure not less than 300 kPa at 20°C. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) contained in the wine shall result exclusively from the alcoholic fermentation of the “cuvée” from which it was prepared. Carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) may be used to maintain counter pressure during the process of racking or the transfer of a finished wine from a bulk process tank to a container if the content of carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) contained in the wine is not increased. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume, including the alcohol contained in any “dosage” added. The wine shall derive its effervescence exclusively from a primary or secondary alcoholic fermentation in a closed vessel. The wine shall be produced either as a varietal wine or as a blended wine, in accordance with the requirements for varietal wine in this Table.	VQA — Ontario — VQA	Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	A method of production shall not be declared on the label. The nomenclature set out in Tables 4 and 5 shall not be used on the label. Sweetness descriptors may be used in accordance with the nomenclature set out in Table 3.
17. Effervescent Wine	The wine shall be surcharged with carbon dioxide gas to a pressure not less than 200 kPa and not more than 300 kPa at 20ºC. The wine shall be produced from one or more grape varieties listed in Appendix B. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) contained in the wine shall result exclusively from the alcoholic fermentation of the “cuvée” from which it was prepared. Carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) may be used to maintain counter pressure during the process of racking or the transfer of a finished wine from a bulk process tank to a container if the content of carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) contained in the wine is not increased. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume, including the alcohol contained in any “dosage” added. The wine shall derive its effervescence exclusively from a primary or secondary alcoholic fermentation in a closed vessel.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name	The term “Sparkling Wine” or the methods of production associated with sparkling wines under this Regulation shall not appear on the label.
18. Icewine Dosage or Dosage of Icewine	The wine shall be a sparkling wine made using the traditional method according to this Table. The dosage shall be derived exclusively from Icewine produced in accordance with this Table. The total volume of Icewine added as the dosage shall not be less than 10% of the total volume of the finished sparkling wine. The finished sparkling wine shall contain not less than 20 g/L residual sugar, either retained after the secondary alcoholic fermentation or obtained by the addition of “Icewine Dosage” or a combination of both. The finished sparkling wine shall exhibit a distinguishable Icewine character.	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA	Grape variety or varieties or proprietary name Method of production (Sparkling Wine — Traditional Method)	None
19. Sparkling Icewine	The wine shall be a sparkling wine that meets all requirements of an Icewine and a Sparkling Wine, as set out in this Table. The wine shall be made from grape varieties permitted for Icewine as set out in this Table. The wine shall derive its effervescence exclusively from either primary or secondary alcoholic fermentation.	VQA — Viticultural Area — VQA	Grape variety or varieties	None
20. Skin Fermented White	The wine shall be a table wine or effervescent wine produced exclusively from fresh grapes, of a white or pink variety, listed in Appendix B. 100% of the grapes used shall be macerated and fermented on their skins for a minimum of 10 days. Fermentation shall occur when the skins are present. The wine shall have an actual alcoholic content not less than 7.0% and not greater than 14.9% by volume. Turbidity requirements set out in VQA chemical analysis guidelines shall not apply to wines in this category labelled with “Bottled with Lees”	VQA — Geographical indication — VQA Skin Fermented White	Vintage Year Grape variety or varieties and/or proprietary name	Skin Fermented White shall be declared in a type size at least as large as the varietal declaration on the principal display panel and not less than 2 mm based on the smallest letter. Nothing shall be written between the grape variety name and Skin Fermented White. Where no grape varieties are declared on the principal display panel, the term Skin Fermented White shall be declared in a type size not less than 3.2 mm based on the smallest letter. The terms Amber Wine, Orange Wine or Vin Orange may appear at the manufacturer’s discretion, in a type size no larger than Skin Fermented White. If the wine is bottled with its lees, the label shall declare “Bottled with Lees” A wine produced from one or more vitis vinifera grape varieties that does not list the grape varieties on the label or only references vitis vinifera varieties on the label shall not contain wine produced from hybrid grape varieties. A wine produced from one or more hybrid grape varieties listed in subitem 2 i of Appendix B that is labelled as a varietal wine may contain wine produced from vitis vinifera grape varieties. Varietal wines containing hybrid grapes shall only be entitled to a provincial designation.

O. Reg. 60/17, s. 3; O. Reg. 174/17, s. 1; O. Reg. 263/19, s. 4; O. Reg. 244/22, s. 2; O. Reg. 513/22, s. 1; O. Reg. 359/24, s. 3.

TABLE 3
SWEETNESS DESCRIPTIONS ON LABELS

Fortified or Liqueur Wines

Column 1 Sweetness Descriptions	Column 2 Residual Sugar Level	Column 3 Total Acid Level (calculated as tartaric acid)
Dry (sec)	not more than 30 g/L	not less than 4 g/L
Medium Dry (semi-dry) (demi-sec)	more than 30 g/L but not more than 65 g/L	not less than 4 g/L
Sweet (doux)	more than 65 g/L	not less than 4 g/L

Sparkling Wine

Column 1 Sweetness Descriptions	Column 2 Residual Sugar Level	Column 3 Total Acid Level (calculated as tartaric acid)
Natural Brut (naturel)	not more than 15 g/L and no sweetener in the dosage	not less than 4 g/L
Brut	not more than 15 g/L	not less than 4 g/L
Extra Dry (extra sec)	more than 15 g/L but not more than 25 g/L	not less than 4 g/L
Dry (sec)	more than 25 g/L but not more than 35 g/L	not less than 4 g/L
Medium Dry (semi-dry) (demi-sec)	more than 35 g/L but not more than 50 g/L	not less than 4 g/L
Sweet (doux)	more than 50 g/L	not less than 4 g/L

Icewine

Column 1 Sweetness Descriptions	Column 2 Residual Sugar Level	Column 3 Total Acid Level (calculated as tartaric acid)
Sweet (doux)	more than 100 g/L	not less than 6.5 g/L

O. Reg. 406/00, Table 3; O. Reg. 277/10, s. 4; O. Reg. 63/14, s. 2.

TABLE 4
DECLARATION OF METHOD OF PRODUCTION FOR SPARKLING WINE — Traditional Method and SPARKLING WINE — Méthode CUVE close

Column 1 Method of Production	Column 2 Nomenclature
Traditional Method	Traditional Method, Méthode Traditionnelle, Classical Method, Méthode Classique
Méthode Cuve Close	Méthode Cuve Close
Charmat Method	Charmat Method

O. Reg. 406/00, Table 4; O. Reg. 60/17, s. 4.

TABLE 5
NOMENCLATURE PERMITTED FOR SPARKLING WINE — Traditional Method

Column 1 Method of Production	Column 2 Nomenclature
Fermented in this Bottle	May appear on a Sparkling Wine — Traditional Method in addition to the declaration of “Method of Production”. The type size shall be no larger than that used to declare the “Method of Production”.
Blanc De Blancs	Optional at the manufacturer’s discretion if not less than 85% of the wine is derived from white grapes.
Blanc De Noirs	Optional at the manufacturer’s discretion if not less than 85% of the wine is derived from red grapes.
Rosé	Optional at the manufacturer’s discretion as a colour descriptor.
Icewine Dosage	Optional at the manufacturer’s discretion for sparkling wine.

O. Reg. 406/00, Table 5; O. Reg. 60/17, s. 5; O. Reg. 263/19, s. 5.

APPENDIX A
MINIMUM BRIX LEVELS OF GRAPES

Table 1
by variety

Column 1 Grape Variety	Column 2 Ontario Provincial Designation Minimum Average Brix (all grapes used in final blend)	Column 3 Viticultural Area, Estate Bottled, Vineyard Designation Minimum Average Brix (all grapes used in final blend)
1. Baco Noir	19.5º Brix	n/a
2. Cabernet Franc	18.0º Brix	20.0º Brix
3. Cabernet Sauvignon	19.0º Brix	20.0º Brix
4. Chambourcin	18.0º Brix	n/a
5. Chardonnay	18.0º Brix	20.0º Brix
6. Chardonnay Musque	18.0º Brix	18.0º Brix
6.1 Frontenac Blanc	19.5º Brix	n/a
6.2 Frontenac Gris	19.5º Brix	n/a
6.3 Frontenac Noir	19.5º Brix	n/a
7. Gamay Noir	18.0º Brix	19.0º Brix
8. Gewürztraminer	18.0º Brix	19.0º Brix
9. Marechal Foch	19.0º Brix	n/a
9.1 Marquette	19.5º Brix	n/a
10. Merlot	19.0º Brix	20.5º Brix
11. Muscats	17.0º Brix	17.0° Brix
12. Pinot Blanc	17.5º Brix	18.0º Brix
13. Pinot Gris / Grigio	17.5º Brix	18.5º Brix
14. Pinot Noir	18.5º Brix	19.5º Brix
15. Riesling	17.0º Brix	17.0º Brix
16. Sauvignon Blanc	17.0º Brix	18.0º Brix
16.1 Sémillon	17.0º Brix	17.0º Brix
17. Syrah / Shiraz	18.0º Brix	19.5º Brix
18. Vidal Blanc	18.0º Brix	n/a
19. Viognier	18.0º Brix	19.0º Brix
20. Other varieties	17.0º Brix	18.0º Brix

Note 1: If rosé and blanc de noirs wines carry a viticultural area designation, each grape variety used in the making of these blended wines is required to meet only the minimum average Brix level for the Ontario Provincial designation for each grape variety, as set out in the Column 2. Wines approved under this rule must declare Rosé or Blanc de Noirs on the label.

Note 2: Vin de Curé and Appassimento wines are required to meet the minimum average Brix level for the grape variety at harvest as set out in Column 2 or 3 according to the geographical indication that appears on its label.

Note 3: The minimum Brix for all component grapes used in VQA wines shall be 17.0º Brix after each pressing when measured after transfer to the fermentation vessel, except for grapes used in Sparkling Wines.

O. Reg. 142/16, s. 2; O. Reg. 263/19, s. 6; O. Reg. 244/22, s. 3 (1); O. Reg. 513/22, s. 2; O. Reg. 359/24, s. 4.

Table 2
by wine category

Column 1 Wine Category for All Grape Varieties	Column 2 Minimum Brix (after each pressing when measured after transfer to the fermentation vessel)	Column 3 Minimum Average Brix (all grapes used in final blend)
1. Botrytis Affected (B.A.)	26.0º Brix	26.0º Brix
1.1 Vin de Curé, Appassimento	26.0º Brix	26.0º Brix
2. Icewine	32.0º Brix	35.0º Brix
3. Late Harvest	22.0º Brix	22.0º Brix
4. Nouveau Red Wine, Fortified Wine, Liqueur Wine	18.0º Brix	18.0º Brix
5. Sparkling Icewine	32.0º Brix	35.0º Brix
6. Sparkling Wine	n/a	n/a
7. Select Late Harvest	25.0º Brix	26.0º Brix
8. Special Select Late Harvest	28.0º Brix	30.0º Brix
9. Totally Botrytis Affected (T.B.A.)	34.0º Brix	34.0º Brix

Note 1: For Vin de Curé and Appassimento wines, the portion of dried grapes used in making the wine must be dried to achieve the Brix level specified in Column 2 at the time of transfer to the fermentation vessel.

O. Reg. 193/11, s. 3; O. Reg. 244/22, s. 3 (2, 3).

APPENDIX B
AUTHORIZED GRAPE VARIETIES

1. Varieties of Vitis vinifera

Column 1 Prime Name	Column 2 Synonyms
Aligoté	None
Aglianico	None
Auxerrois	Pinot Auxerrois
Bacchus	None
Blauburger	None
Cabernet Franc	Cabernet ¹
Cabernet Sauvignon	Cabernet ¹
Chardonnay	None
Chardonnay Musqué	Chardonnay
Chasselas	Chasselas Doré
Chenin Blanc	None
Colombard	French Colombard
Corvina	None
Dornfelder	None
Ehrenfelser	None
Faberrebe	None
Furmint	None
Gamay Noir	Gamay
Gamay de Chaudenay	None
Gewürztraminer	Traminer
Glera	None
Goldburger	None
Grüner Veltliner	Veltliner
Kerner	Trollinger x Riesling
Lemberger	Limberger, Blaufrankish
Madeleine Angevine	None
Madeleine Sylvaner	None
Malbec	None
Malvasia	Malvasia Bianca
Marsanne	None
Matsvani	None
Melon de Bourgogne	Melon
Merlot	None
Molinara	None
Morio Muscat	Muscat², Moscato²
Mourvedre	None
Muscat Blanc	Muskateller, Gelber Muskateller, Muscat², Moscato²
Muscadelle	None
Muscat Ottonel	Muscat², Moscato²
Müller-Thurgau	Riesling x Sylvaner
Nebbiolo	None
Optima	None
Oraniensteiner	None
Ortega	None
Pecorino	None
Perle of Csaba	Pearl of Csaba
Petit Verdot	None
Petite Sirah	None
Pinotage	None
Pinot Blanc	Weissburgunder, Pinot Bianco
Pinot Gris	Pinot Grigio
Pinot Meunier	Meunier
Pinot Noir	Spätburgunder
Reichensteiner	None
Riesling	None
Riesling x Traminer ³	None
Rkatsiteli	None
Rondinella	None
Rotberger	None
Samtrot	None
Sangiovese	None
Sauvignon Blanc	Fumé Blanc
Sauvignon Gris	None
Sauvignon Vert	None
Savagnin	None
Scheurebe	None
Schönburger	None
Sémillon	None
Sereksia Chornaya	None
Siegerrebe	None
St. Laurent	None
Sylvaner	Silvaner
Syrah	Shiraz
Tannat	None
Tempranillo	None
Touriga Nacional	None
Traminer	None
Trebbiano	None
Viognier	None
Welschriesling	Riesling Italico
Zinfandel	Primitivo
Zweigelt	Zweigeltrebe, Rotburger

2. Varieties Produced by Inter-Specific Crossbreeding

i. Hybrid varieties that may to be used to produce provincially designated varietal wines (single-varietal, dual-varietal, triple-varietal, multi-varietal).

Column 1 Prime Name	Column 2 Synonym
Baco Noir	Baco
Chambourcin	None
Chancellor	Chancellor Noir
Couderc Muscat	Muscat du Moulin, Couderc
Frontenac Blanc	None
Frontenac Gris	None
Frontenac Noir	Frontenac
Hibernal	None
Maréchal Foch	Foch
Marquette	None
Seyval Blanc	Seyval
Vidal Blanc	Vidal
Villard Noir	None

ii. Hybrid varieties that may be used with varietal wines (single-varietal, dual-varietal, triple-varietal, multi-varietal) to a maximum volume of 15%, 10% or 5%, as the case requires.

Prime Name	Synonyms
Aurore	Aurora
Castel	None
Chelois	None
De Chaunac	None
Léon Millot	Millot
Pollux	None
Rosette	Seibel 1000
Siegfriedrebe	Siegfried Rebe, Siegfried
Verdelet	None
Vignoles	Ravat
GM 311-58	None
GM 318-57	None
JS23.416	None
SV23.512	None

Notes:

¹ The term “Cabernet” may be used as a synonym for Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon, or any blend of the two. “Cabernet” shall be considered as a single-varietal component when determining the minimum content for the other varieties in a dual-varietal or triple-varietal.

²The terms “Muscat” and “Moscato” may be used as a synonym for all or any combination of Muscat grape varieties of the species Vitis vinifera. “Muscat”and “Moscato” shall be considered as a single-varietal component when determining the minimum content for the other varieties in a dual-varietal or triple-varietal.

³ Shall be Riesling x Traminer 25/4.

O. Reg. 406/00, Appendix B; O. Reg. 292/02, s. 3; O. Reg. 281/04, s. 1; O. Reg. 183/06, s. 2; O. Reg. 47/07, s. 3; O. Reg. 302/08, s. 1; O. Reg. 129/09, s. 6; O. Reg. 277/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 193/11, s. 4; O. Reg. 62/14, s. 1; O. Reg. 60/17, s. 6; O. Reg. 263/19, s. 7; O. Reg. 572/21, s. 1; O. Reg. 513/22, s. 3; O. Reg. 237/23, s. 1; O. Reg. 359/24, s. 5.

APPENDIX C Revoked: O. Reg. 60/17, s. 7.