| | Introduction | Cottage winery policy | Promoting local industry | Wine trails, festivals and wine related information | Associations and institutes | Research reports | Other information | Wine glossary
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| Cottage Wine Initiative: This initiative involves industry participants and staff from Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Its purpose is to create an environment that allows growth in knowledge, expertise and the development of the cottage wine industry in the province. |
Introduction
The Cottage Wine Industry in Alberta refers to the small-scale production of wines at the farm site. It is a new industry for the province, using locally produced fruit or honey to make fruit wine or mead (honey wine).
The definition for fruit wine varies, but it is generally described as the alcoholic fermentation of juice from sound, ripe fruit, fruit juices or concentrate (other than grapes). A number of fruit or related species on the prairies can be used in the making of fruit wines, including, strawberry, raspberry, black currant, saskatoon, sour cherry (incl., Mongolian, Nanking), wild black cherry (chokecherry), apple/crabapple, plum, red/white currant, and rhubarb (commonly viewed as a fruit).
Mead is an alcoholic beverage, using honey as its base, which has many different styles as indicated below:
Mead styles
| Traditional Mead | - honey (of specific or blended varietals), water and yeast |
 | - also includes Sack or Sac mead which has a higher percentage of honey |
| Melomel | - mead fermented or flavoured with fruit |
| - Cyser – a melomel made with apples, apple juice or cider |
| - Pyment – a melomel made with grapes or grape juice
---- ------- – Hippocras – a pyment with spices added |
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| Metheglin | - mead fermented or flavoured with herbs and/or spices |
| Braggot | - mead made with malted grains |
The three varieties made by the majority of commercial mead producers in Canada are traditional or sack mead, melomels and metheglins.
Cottage Winery Policy
For the on-farm manufacture of wines, see the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission’s (AGLC) Cottage
Winery Manufacturers Licence and other licence information.
http://www.aglc.gov.ab.ca/pdf/liquor/5237.pdf
Promoting Local Industry
Cottage wineries are considered Ag Tourism operations, since they provide both agricultural and tourism opportunities for the consumer or tourist as they visit the farm. Wines may be sold directly to the consumer, through on-farm retail stores, which is a Farm Direct Marketing outlet, or by going through the AGLC to other licensees. Alberta cottage wines are Regional Cuisine, using locally grown and processed products of Alberta.
These cottage wineries may become a destination point in one of Travel Alberta’s primary tourism regions, providing an opportunity for tourists who are traveling the scenic routes, and who are looking for an agricultural experience by visiting the on-farm winery.
Wine trails, festivals and wine related information
Wines of BC
Wines of Ontario
Niagara Grape & Wine
Wines of Canada
Okanagan Wine Festivals
Canadian and USA Wine Festivals
International Mead Festival
Unified Wine and Grape Symposium
Wines & Wine Routes of Canada
Associations and Institutes
Fruit Growers Society of Alberta (FGSA) - represents the fruit and berry industry in Alberta, and is made up of growers, suppliers and researchers. http://www.albertafruit.com/
Alberta Beekeepers - represents hobby and commercial beekeepers, and their products in Alberta.
Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association (AFFPA) - represents direct market growers and their products, including honey, fruit and berry crops, through U-pick farms, farm gate sales or Farmers’ Markets. http://albertafarmfresh.com/
Quality Certified (QC) standards were previously established by the Fruit Wines of Canada (FWC) to promote quality standards for Canadian Fruit Wines. For more informaiton please contact the Fruit Wines of Ontario. http://www.fruitwinesofontario.com/qstandards.htm
BC Wine Institute. http://winebc.com/
Research Reports
The Canadian Wine Industry sub-sector profile describes the wine industry’s structure, market and trade performance, and it’s challenges and opportunities. It includes establishments that are primarily engaged in manufacturing wine or brandy from grapes or other fruit.
Wine and Cuisine Profile Report describes vacationers’ interest in activities associated with cuisine
(i.e., fine dining) and wine (i.e., tours of wineries), both in Canada and the US.
Other Information
"Alberta Fruit Winery Project - a reference guide for potential producers." This report describes the process of making fruit wine, how to market cottage wines, and many useful resources for potential wine makers.
- For information concerning this report, contact Sharon Faye: sharon.faye@gov.ab.ca
or Nicola Stevens: nicola.stevens@gov.ab.ca
- For more copies of this report contact Magda Beranek at 780-422-7101, or magda.beranek@gov.ab.ca
"Market Research in Fruit Wine and Mead" report describes wine consumption in Canada and consumer interest in wine tourism.
- For information, contact Sharon Faye: sharon.faye@gov.ab.ca
- For more copies of this report contact Magda Beranek at 780-422-7101, or magda.beranek@gov.ab.ca
Wine Glossary
Terminology related to the wine industry and other interesting information.
For more information about the cottage wine industry, please contact:
New Venture Coach
Toll Free: 310 - FARM (3276) |
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