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For many years, wine purists have bemoaned the “Cellared in Canada” label term used on some made-in-Canada wines as misleading to consumers.
And, it seems, there was a reason to fret: wines that were produced using a portion of imported grape juice (fermented, matured, and bottled in Canada) often used the term “Cellared in Canada” (or “CIC”) on the label, leading many consumers to believe that they were purchasing a true Canadian wine (as would be produced from Canadian-grown grapes). In fact, these wines were allowed to contain up to 70% imported juice and/or wine. Much of the imported products came from countries such as Chile, Argentina, Australia, and the United States.
However, there is no longer any reason to feel bemused: as of March 2018, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) has outlawed the use of the terms “Cellared in Canada” or “CIC.” Going forward, the acceptable terminology for this style of wine produced primarily from imported juice/wine is “International Blend from Imported and Domestic Wines.” If the product is produced using a majority of Canadian juice/wine, the newly-approved label terminology is “International Blend from Domestic and Imported wines.”
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Other label terms to watch out for are “vinted in Canada” or “bottled in Canada.” Either of these terms may imply a wine produced in Canada from imported grapes.
If you are looking for authentic Canadian wine, it is always best to seek out a wine with the Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA) seal of approval. Both of Canada’s main wine-producing regions—British Columbia and Ontario—have a set of strict qualifications for use of the VQA designation. These include having 100% of the grapes grown within the region of origin. Long live the VQA!
References/for more information:
- http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/688998/food+drugs+law/Update+On+Blended+In+Canada+Wine+Labelling
- http://www.winesofcanada.com/cellaredincanada.html
- https://www.agcanada.com/daily/cellared-in-canada-wine-label-on-way-out
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