Title of stamp:Wine and Cheese
Issue date: August 23, 2006

A toast to Canada

Four domestic rate (51¢) stamps shaped as cheese wedges and wine labels celebrate Canada’s long and proud tradition of wine and cheese making.

It’s believed explorer Samuel de Champlain can be indirectly linked to Canadian cheese making. He introduced the first herd of Norman cattle to New France between 1608 and 1610. Shortly after that, French pioneers began making cheese using old family recipes. In 1783, British newcomers introduced traditional English methods of making cheddar cheese.

Winemaking reached our nation in 1811, but it’s only in the last 25 years that Canadian winemakers have captured the taste buds of people around the globe, especially with our ice wine. Grapes for ice wine are hand picked only once they’ve frozen on the vine. Today, Canada is the largest producer of this sweet wine that tastes like dessert in a glass.

From cheeses like full-flavoured Oka and nippy cheddar to award-winning red, white and ice wines, people around the world appreciate Canada’s rich cultural flavour. This stamp release toasts our nation’s tasteful achievements.