The Ontario wine region can be divided into three general areas: Lake Erie North Shore; Niagara; and Prince Edward County. Of these, Niagara is most important from a volume standpoint. Over the past ten to fifteen years, Ontario has made significant advances in terms of quantity, and more importantly, quality. The climate in Ontario is continental, with hot, humid summers and harsh, cold winters. The conditions are moderated somewhat by Lakes Ontario and Erie, as well as by the wind-breaking and air-circulating effect of the Niagara Escarpment. Most Ontario vineyards are planted on lakeside slopes in soils ranging from sandy loam to gravel, clay, and limestone. Generally speaking, Ontario vintners have high levels of technology at their disposal, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. WIth its northerly location, Ontario's wineries tend to excel in cooler climate varietals such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. It is an exciting time for Ontario wines and its wine consumers, as wineries are beginning to really focus on the notion of terroir and identifying the right varietals for the right sites.