Editing Niagara Escarpment (section)

==Vineyard land==
[[Niagara County, New York]], near the eastern end of the escarpment, is the site of the {{convert|18,000|acre|ha|0}} [[Niagara Escarpment AVA]] ([[American Viticultural Area]]).<ref>[http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-17759.pdf Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 173 / Thursday, September 8, 2005 / Rules and Regulations, page 53300 – Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau 27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. TTB–33; Re: Notice No. 33] RIN 1513–AA97. Establishment of the Niagara Escarpment Viticultural Area (2004R–589P)</ref> Wines produced in this region include traditional [[grape varieties]] such as [[Merlot]], [[Cabernet Franc]], [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Chardonnay]], and [[Riesling]], and [[fruit wines]].

Ontario's [[Niagara Peninsula]] is the site of the largest [[Canadian wine|wine-producing]] [[appellation]] (region) in Canada. Cool-climate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc are among the more than 30 [[varietal]]s produced across {{convert|13,600|ha|acre|0}}. Three subappellations lie along the [[Bench (geology)|benchlands]] of the Niagara Escarpment: [[Short Hills Bench]], [[Twenty Mile Bench]], and [[Beamsville Bench]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vqaontario.com/Appellations/NiagaraPeninsula |title=VQA Ontario · The Appellations · Niagara Peninsula |publisher=Vqaontario.com |access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref>

Northeastern Wisconsin, at the western end of the escarpment, is the site of the {{convert|3,800|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} [[Wisconsin Ledge AVA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=bff700d0bbb2a632948b70fe7e91d7d4;rgn=div5;view=text;node=27%3A1.0.1.1.7;idno=27;cc=ecfr#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.204 |title=eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations |publisher=Ecfr.gov |access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref> Most of the region's vineyards lie upon the escarpment's eastern-facing slope that rises gently upward from the shores of Lake Michigan to the top of the Ledge, before dropping sharply off into Green Bay, and benefit greatly from constant air movement from Lake Michigan, which stores warmth during the summer. The presence of the lake produces a vacuum of sorts during the growing season: warm air over the lake rises, sucking colder air off the land and creating offshore breezes. Cold air cannot settle over the vineyards and a constant flow of warmer air makes the growing season here longer than in other parts of the state. The escarpment's glacial soils are made up of gravel, sand, and clay over limestone bedrock. An [[aquifer]] provides mineral-rich ground water to the vines, encouraging deep root growth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-wisconsin+ledge |title=Wisconsin Ledge wine region |publisher=Wine-searcher.com |date=2014-06-16 |access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://midwestwinepress.com/2011/10/30/wisconsin-ledge-ava-set-for-ttb-approval/|title=Wisconsin Ledge AVA Set for TTB Approval|work=midwestwinepress.com|date=18 October 2011 }}</ref>