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If you think Canada's cooler climate pales alongside premier world wine areas, remember that Ontario's grape growing areas are in the same latitude as Bordeaux, France and the Northern wine regions of California.

Classic wine grapes grown throughout the region include Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer among white wine varieties. In addition to traditional winemaking, Ontario also specializes in ice wines and world class fruit wines made from strawberries, blueberries, and black currants.

The beautiful surroundings in which Ontario's wineries are situated are also certainly a big draw for Ontario wine tourism. Above right, the Calmus Estate Winery in the heart of Niagara Wine country.

Major visitor draws include the Niagara Peninsula (home to popular Niagra-on-the Lake wineries), the North Shore of Lake Erie and Pelee Island, and the Prince Edward County wine country,

In fact, tours through these beautifully scenic areas of Canada are sometimes more popular than the wines! (Go figure.)

In either case, the Ontario wine region has a lot to offer everyone, ranging from true aficianodos with sophisticated tastes to wine newbies who like what they see ....

More information about Ontario wineries around the Web:

Wine Country Ontario - Check out what's happening in the Ontario wine scene with a directory of Ontario wineries and winemakers, suggested day trips, and freebees including desktop wallpaper, and an Ontario wine country map in PDF format.

Wines of Canada - Ontario - Good overview with links and info on wineries in the Niagara Peninsula, Lake Erie North Shore, Pelee Island, Prince Edward County and Toronto.