The Canadian Wine Frequently Asked Questions Page

CANWINE (the Canadian Wine mailing list) was created in January 1994 to provide a forum for the discussion of Canadian wines. We're not a collection of wine snobs, just a friendly group interested in discussing commercial wines made in Canada of Canadian grapes. While there are some home-winemakers on the list, discussions of home-winemaking are considered to be off-topic.

New subscribers are urged to refrain from posting extensively to the list until they have read several messages acquaint themselves with CANWINE list protocol. If you have any questions about nettiquette, please read the Nettiquette Page.

The following behaviours are unacceptable on CANWINE:

1. Messages typed in all caps.
   
2. Off-topic comments. (Send via private email. If you don't know how to do this, ask your system administrator and/or read the manual for your software.)
   
3. Questions regarding the operation of this list. (Read the list of frequently asked questions at the bottom of this message or send email to the list owner for clarification.)
   
4. Messages that contain extensive quoting.
   
5. Advertising.
   
6. Information or questions regarding home-winemaking.
   
7. Automatic replies.
   
8. Failure to disclose a vested interest.
   
9. Handles.

Failure to comply with these rules will result in immediate removal from the list.

Administrative Details

To SUBSCRIBE, send a message to the listowner. Keep in mind that subscription requests that lack a real name will be refused. Subscriptions will not be accepted from domains that have caused problems in the past; these include, but are not limited to, Juno, Bigfoot, Hotmail, or those associated with IMail.

Some Frequently Asked Questions About CANWINE

How much does it cost?

It doesn't; CANWINE is free, although contributions are gratefully accepted. If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) charges you for each message you send or receive, you will pay them, not the list owner.

How many people read CANWINE?

More than you might think; we currently have over 400 subscribers. Most come from Canada, although we have some who live in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Europe, Central America, and the United States.

How does CANWINE work?

Once you subscribe, you will receive email messages from other members of the list. If you respond, all the other members of the list will see your message unless you choose to send private email.

I'm starting to learn about wines; should I read CANWINE?

If you are a Canadian or have access to Canadian wines, you will be able to learn about wines produced across Canada, including those with limited availability. The expertise on the list runs from wine journalists and professional winemakers to home winemakers and interested consumers. Users new to the world of wine should have a basic understanding of the wine-making process.

I bought a bottle of wine that says it is a Product of Canada. Does this mean it contains 100% Canadian grapes?

No, unfortunately, not necessarily. The only guarantee that you have to buy a wine that is made from 100% Canadian grapes is one that has the VQA label on it. Under the B.C. Wine Act and various federal government laws, a wine can say it is a Product of Canada with as little as 25% Canadian content -- the rest can be made up from grape juice or even concentrate imported from other countries. There are also wines that are 100% Canadian that are not submitted to or approved by VQA that do not carry the label, however; if in doubt, ask where you buy your wines or query the list.

I do business in the wine industry; can I advertise my product or service on CANWINE?

No, commercial advertising is not allowed on CANWINE. You are welcome to participate in the discussion, so long as you do not push products or services on other subscribers. A section on the Canadian Wines Home Page has been created for the distributors and sellers of Canadian-produced wines.

I want to give someone in Canada the gift of wines; can you suggest a company that will send a bottle or two every month?

Unfortunately, wine "clubs" per se are banned under Canadian provincial liquor regulations, although some wineries will ship to individual addresses; contact the wineries directly for prices and delivery details. If the person you wish to bestow the gift upon lives in British Columbia, contact BC Wine Club, who can arrange delivery of selected wines within the province. If you are in Ontario, Winery To Home does the same for Ontario wines. Live in the United States and want icewines? Contact Icewine Niagara, they can arrange delivery where possible under legislation.

I'm a winemaker in another country; how do I export my product to Canada?

Contact your embassy in (or responsible for) Canada; they can provide you with detailed instructions and assistance. CANWINE only discusses commercial wines made in Canada, and issues regarding the export from Canada and import into other countries of Canadian-made wines.

I've just discovered Canadian wines and would like to get some imported into my country: how can I do that?

Contact the Canadian embassy or High Commission responsible for your country and ask for the commercial attaché.

I'm a Canadian home winemaker; will CANWINE provide help in finding supplies and information?

No, home-winemaking is not discussed on CANWINE. Check out the rec.crafts.winemaking newsgroup for winemaking and grape-growing discussions, the excellent Amateur Winemakers of Canada site, Larry Paterson's great site for information about the Canadian winemakers/grapegrowers list called GROWWINE, Grape Growers of Ontario for suggestions of what grows well in our cool climate, and Viticultural Roundtable of Southwestern Ontario.

Do you have other questions? Ask the CANWINE list owner.

Return to the Canadian Wines Home Page.