British Columbia

British Columbia is a Canadian wine region whose largest wine area, the Okanagan Valley, runs roughly 175 kilometres from north to south. Lakes, benchlands, desert and rolling foothills line the valley. Vineyards can receive up to 2,000 hours of sunshine a year; days can reach 40°C, while cooler nights help preserve acidity. The north favours Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In the warmer south, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are more at home. Across the province, wines are known for natural acidity and pure fruit, with sparkling wine, dry rosé, late-harvest wines and Icewine, made from grapes naturally frozen on the vine all part of the range. Regional names have formal layers. Okanagan Valley is the principal named region and includes smaller geographical indications such as Summerland Valleys; Kootenays is a separate geographical indication. BC VQA is the province's appellation-of-origin and quality programme. Icewine, Meritage and prescribed geographical indicators are restricted terms within that system.