Consultation – Add grape variety Albarino

Ontario Wine Appellation Authority Stakeholder Consultation

The Board of Directors is seeking feedback on a proposed change to the VQA Regulations to add the grape variety Albarino and synonyms to the List of Permitted Grape Varieties in VQA Regulation 406.

Please submit your comments, in writing no later than May 15, 2025 to Laurie Macdonald laurie.macdonald@vqaontario.ca

Background

VQA regulations identify a specific list of grape varieties that are authorized for the production of VQA eligible wines. The current list includes 82 vitis vinifera and 27 inter-specific hybrids.

An OWAA member winery has requested that Albarino be added to the list of permitted vitis vinifera varieties.

Assessment

This request has been reviewed against OWAA’s policy for evaluation of new grape varieties. The policy can be found here.

OWAA has verified that Albarino is recognized as a vitis vinifera grape with an established history of use in wine production, notably in Portugal and Spain. It is permitted for use in VQA certified wines in British Columbia.

Commonly used synonyms for Albarino are Albarina, Alvarinho, and Alvarinha.

There are currently no producing vineyards in Ontario, however the proponent intends to plant Albarino in Beamsville, Ontario, and expects that it will produce wines that meet VQA quality standards based on growing conditions.

Impact on appellation system: The proposed change expands the grape varieties eligible for VQA wine production. It is consistent with OWAA’s long-term strategy to support innovation and streamline the process to include more grape varieties and styles within the VQA system.

Impact on consumers: The expansion of the grape list provides consumers with more choice within the VQA category. Wines made from Albarino in other wine producing countries and regions have proven consumer acceptance in Ontario and global markets.

Impact on wineries: The change will provide wineries the opportunity to use this grape variety in wines that are eligible for VQA approval and remove a barrier to planting this variety.

Regulatory Change Process

All regulatory changes require a minimum 30-day comment period for industry feedback to the OWAA Board of Directors before it approves a change and recommends it to government. If the Board approves the change, it requires further approval of the Minister of Government and Consumer Service Delivery and Procurement before taking effect.