Canada is tightening the rules for producing its popular icewine, a sweet dessert wine that is only made in cold climates, to crack down on fraudsters who sell mislabeled bottles that don't make the grade.

In the lead up to Canada Day, I can't help wondering why there are still Canadians who never or seldom reach for Canadian wine or why there isn't a Canadian wine day, or week for that matter.

He says he'll always be looking at alternatives that would support the province's economy. Ontario is facing an $11.7-billion deficit, which the Liberals have promised to eliminate by 2017-18.

A stalemate over archaeological work at Thadd Springs Vineyard east of Kamloops has come to an end, with the owner saying Wednesday he is cleared for further construction.

The report presents detailed data on the Wine consumption trends in Canada, providing historic and forecast consumption volume and value at market and category level, alcoholic strength (Fortified Wine), price segment (Still Wine), country of origin data, brand share data and distribution channel data.

The Government of Canada is proposing to create a national standard for icewine that will require icewine to be made only from grapes naturally frozen on the vine.

Lower booze prices and convenience are two key findings of a detailed economic study of expanded alcohol sales in Ontario. A system blending the LCBO with private sales similar to the system used in British Columbia would increase the amount of money the province gets from alcohol sales and result in lower prices, University of Waterloo economist Anindya Sen said.

New Icewine protocols released by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency aim to stamp out fraud prevalent in Canada's most recognised wine brand.

Wine Country Ontario is challenging Ontario consumers to discover, capture and share the moments and rich experiences of our local wine country by asking them to imagine and ultimately Tweet the 'untweetable'.

"I think this is a great addition to Kemptville," said Bob Clevely, LCBO's Senior Vice President of Retail Operations. "It's a beautiful store."

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is calling on Ontario to raise its legal drinking age from 19 to 21 in a bid to help curb alcohol abuse.

A local winery hoping to expand its range of operations got a setback this week when Penticton city council decided not to endorse their application to create a winery lounge.

Allan Schmidt, President and Managing Partner of Vineland Estates Winery in Vineland, was elected as the new chair of the Wine Council of Ontario (WCO) at today's board meeting. He replaces Ed Madronich of Flat Rock Cellars who has spent his four-year term sharing his passion for Ontario wines with a focus towards fostering awareness and dedication to Ontario wines by Ontarians.

The general message from the four panelists wasn't so much that the wine industry needs to be using social media -- presumably they already knew that -- but how best to use the tools available.

From the heart of Wine Country Ontario, 17 Canadian wine experts will blind taste and judge 1,100 wines from across the country at the first annual National Wine Awards of Canada.

Success extends beyond wine competitions and vineyards and into the market place as Pinot Gris is on the verge of becoming the most popular white grape in the province.

"With the addition of Canada to our regulatory portfolio, LANXESS is able to offer uninterrupted service to North American customers throughout the entire market and thereby closes an important registration gap for Canadian as well as U.S. based beverage corporations."

Sources close to the trade negotiations in Brussels say the two sides have had a relatively easy time settling on rules governing wines and spirits, although European vintners likely still view wine producers in Ontario and British Columbia as receiving preferential treatment.

Wine bloggers tasted their way around the region this week, though there was not a drop to drink at a Saturday morning breakfast in Penticton.

Local wineries are sparkling about the opportunity, saying prior conferences have resulted in significant increases in wine tourism for the host region.