Colder Climate Grapes
- Thomas
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
A number of interesting grapes have been used successfully to produce great wines in the more northerly areas of the Okanagan Valley. These are two of the more prominent varietals.
Maréchal Foch
Used to produce a variety of styles of wine, Maréchal Foch is a hybrid French red wine grape. It’s a cross between Goldriesling grapes and a Native American Vitis. The origins of Maréchal Foch go back to the early 1900’s, where it was discovered by Eugene Kuhlmann. It made its way over to North America and can be found most notably in Canada and the United States. Similar to Baco Noir, it benefits from cool growing temperatures and has the ability to survive harsh growing conditions.
Typically, it produces a deep, dark, robust, purple-coloured red wine that has strong acidity and mild tannins. Full bodied and often aged with oak, Maréchal Foch has aromas of black fruits such as black cherry and blackberry, smoke, vanilla and spice. It has a juicy, well-rounded finish.
You will find Maréchal Foch most commonly in Nova Scotia, across southern Ontario and Quebec, and in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. It can also be found in some areas of the United States such as Minnesota and Oregon.
An extract from https://mywinecanada.com/types-of-wine/marechal-foch-wine
Siegerrebe
Siegerrebe (pronounced zee-geh-RAY-buh) is a white wine grape variety originating in Germany. Its pink and red-skinned grape variety (used in the production of white wines) makes for a sensational must weight.
The German translation of Siegerrebe is “victory wine.” This wine lives up to this translation, as it tantalizes the taste buds of every wine taster unexpectedly. The name is derived from Siegerrebe's ability to create record-breaking yields. It was first created in the early 20th century (1929) by the German Viticulturist Dr. Georg Scheu at a grape-breeding institute in Alzey in Rheinhessen.
Siegerrebe is often planted in colder climates like Vancouver Island, England, the Northern Okanagan, and the Fraser Valley.
Although Siegerrebe is known to have pink and red skins, it results in a clear liquid when pressed. While most white wines are known for their sweetness and distinct notes, Siegerrebe sets itself apart with its dry nature and a hint of tropical flavour.
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