Expansion: There are now 136 wineries in BC and a further 7 with licenses pending, up from just 13 in 1984.

Meritage: Rhymes with heritage. A term created in California to identify blends made with Bordeaux grape varieties.*

Terroir: Borrowed from the French, this term encompasses the entire environment–soil, climate, aspect–that makes a vineyard special.*

Hybrid: Grape varieties developed, typically by crossing European varieties with native North American varieties. The plant breeder’s objectives include developing varieties that ripen early, resist disease or are winter-hardy.*

Terroir: The Okanagan Valley has five officially recognized sub-regions – Kelowna, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Golden Mile, and Black Sage/Osoyoos.


*Schreiner, John - British Columbia Wine Country, Whitecap Books Ltd., 2003

  
 
 

The information on BC wine and wineries has grown with the industry.

An excellent resource for all things BC wine are the BC VQA stores. There are now 20 VQA wine stores across British Columbia selling BC VQA wines exclusively. Each store’s staff prides itself on extensive knowledge of the Wines of British Columbia and the viticultural regions of the province. Each store has maps, magazines, books and other resources for the BC wine lover and wine tourist alike.

Click here to find a BC VQA store location near you.
GOOD READS
 


Coming soon, the third edition of The Wineries of British Columbia

John Schreiner's Okanagan Wine Tour Guide, Revised Whitecap 2007
British Columbia Wine Country, Revised Whitecap 2007
John Schreiner's Okanagan Wine Tour Guide, Whitecap 2005
The Wineries of British Columbia, Second Edition Whitecap, 2004
British Columbia Wine Country, First Edition Whitecap Books 2003
Icewine: The Complete Story, Warwick Publishers 2001
Chardonnay and Friends, Orca 1998
British Columbia Wine Companion, Orca 1996
The Wineries of British Columbia, First Edition Orca Publishers 1994
The World of Canadian Wines, Douglas & McIntyre 1984
© 2006 British Columbia Wine Institute.  All rights reserved.