Ontario · O. Reg. 406/00 was amendedIn force July 6, 2026 · detected July 10, 2026

Two grape variety updates to Ontario's VQA wine labelling rules: Albarino added, Pinot Gris gets a new synonym

RULES OF VINTNERS QUALITY ALLIANCE ONTARIO RELATING TO TERMS FOR VQA WINE — under the Vintners Quality Alliance Act, 1999

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

Ontario's VQA wine rules have been updated to add Albarino (also accepted as Albarina, Alvarinho, or Alvarinha) as a recognized grape variety that can appear on wine labels. Separately, Pinot Beurot has been added as an accepted synonym for Pinot Gris, joining the existing synonym Pinot Grigio. Wineries that produce wines from Albarino grapes can now use that variety name on VQA-labelled bottles. Wineries labelling Pinot Gris wines may also now use Pinot Beurot as an alternative name on their labels.

Who this affects: Ontario VQA wineries · wine producers seeking varietal labelling approval · winery compliance and labelling teams

Source of truth: O. Reg. 406/00 on ontario.ca · consolidated version 370

Legislative text © King's Printer for Ontario. This page is not an official version of the law and is not legal advice. Verify against the official source before acting.

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