By SHANNON KELLY

Similkameen Valley, British Columbia (Photo: Megan Mallen)

By global standards, the Canadian wine industry is still in its infancy, but increasingly its vintners are perfecting the varieties of grapes that thrive in our climate and wineries are producing award-wining bottles.

Young also means interesting: Many Canadian wineries are a pleasure to visit for their innovative pairings and tours, forward-thinking design and meals prepared by chefs snagged from top restaurants in metropolitan areas, who enjoy creating menus from the surrounding local bounty. A small wine community can also mean a chance to chat with the winemaker directly and not fighting back-to-back tour buses.

So, the most important question: What will you be drinking? A crush of hardy late-harvest whites, of course, such as Riesling and Chardonnay, as well as Pinot Gris, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. And, of course, ice wine, which Canadian climates were made for. But don’t discount those elusive reds, particularly in BC.

Start the slideshow.