Bay of Fundy tides called us to Nova Scotia, but we also wanted to try Nova Scotia Wines. Would it come as a surprise to you that there are 6 distinct wine growing regions in Nova Scotia?
We are not talking Italy or California, though its longitude of 44 degrees north is about the same as Bordeaux, France which is also 44 degrees north. Not such a bad wine growing area to be compared with, eh?... So why not wines in Nova Scotia?
They produce grapes that grow well in this maritime climate. Marechal Foch, DeChaunac, Baco Noir, Leon Millot, Seyval Blanc and L'Acadie Blanc. Never heard about almost all of those varietals? Neither had we until we visited and tasted. They also grow nice Muscats, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs.
We are not talking Italy or California, though its longitude of 44 degrees north is about the same as Bordeaux, France which is also 44 degrees north. Not such a bad wine growing area to be compared with, eh?... So why not wines in Nova Scotia?
They produce grapes that grow well in this maritime climate. Marechal Foch, DeChaunac, Baco Noir, Leon Millot, Seyval Blanc and L'Acadie Blanc. Never heard about almost all of those varietals? Neither had we until we visited and tasted. They also grow nice Muscats, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs.
Our first intro to Nova Scotia wines came in Lunenburg, the first town where we stopped for the night. The innkeeper at our B&B recommended a Domaine de Grand Pre L'Acadie Blanc. We had it with a superb seafood dinner overlooking the city wharf. Great dinner. Great wine!
The majority of the white wines we tried go well with the excellent sea food you can find... I mean it's a maritime provence, right? That gives it a respectable climate and good seafood. Nova Scotia is in one of the cooler climate ranges for growing wine grapes, but it has a long custom for growing grapes going back to the1600s.
The wine growing areas are in protected valleys and on sheltered hillsides. They're suited to growing cool climate grapes thanks to the long fall season and to the temperature moderating maritime influence.
The wine growing district of the Malagash Penninsula is in northeast Nova Scotia where you'll find Jost Vineyards.
The Bay of Fundy tides had us spending 1 or 2 days in the Annapolis Valley, so we tasted at Domaine de Grand Pre. Grand Pre is the oldest operating vineyard in Nova Scotia. They've got a good tasting room and a pleasant bistro.
We also tasted at Sainte-Famille Wines; a small family run winery with good wines and a nice tiny present shop. There are 2 other wineries in the area.
The LaHave Stream Valley district is on the Southern Shores with two wineries near Lunenburg. There's also a small district in the Bear Brook Valley on the South West Coast. You may visit the Wines of Nova Scotia web site for detailed info.
Several of these wineries make great Ice Wines. As you can imagine, the climate is good for this style of wine too.
One word of caution for wine lovers... Some of the
The majority of the white wines we tried go well with the excellent sea food you can find... I mean it's a maritime provence, right? That gives it a respectable climate and good seafood. Nova Scotia is in one of the cooler climate ranges for growing wine grapes, but it has a long custom for growing grapes going back to the1600s.
The wine growing areas are in protected valleys and on sheltered hillsides. They're suited to growing cool climate grapes thanks to the long fall season and to the temperature moderating maritime influence.
The wine growing district of the Malagash Penninsula is in northeast Nova Scotia where you'll find Jost Vineyards.
The Bay of Fundy tides had us spending 1 or 2 days in the Annapolis Valley, so we tasted at Domaine de Grand Pre. Grand Pre is the oldest operating vineyard in Nova Scotia. They've got a good tasting room and a pleasant bistro.
We also tasted at Sainte-Famille Wines; a small family run winery with good wines and a nice tiny present shop. There are 2 other wineries in the area.
The LaHave Stream Valley district is on the Southern Shores with two wineries near Lunenburg. There's also a small district in the Bear Brook Valley on the South West Coast. You may visit the Wines of Nova Scotia web site for detailed info.
Several of these wineries make great Ice Wines. As you can imagine, the climate is good for this style of wine too.
One word of caution for wine lovers... Some of the
The Bay of Fundy tides had us spending 1 or 2 days in the Annapolis Valley, so we tasted at Domaine de Grand Pre. Grand Pre is the oldest operating vineyard in Nova Scotia. They've got a good tasting room and a pleasant bistro.
We also tasted at Sainte-Famille Wines; a small family run winery with good wines and a nice tiny present shop. There are 2 other wineries in the area.
The LaHave Stream Valley district is on the Southern Shores with two wineries near Lunenburg. There's also a small district in the Bear Brook Valley on the South West Coast. You may visit the Wines of Nova Scotia web site for detailed info.
Several of these wineries make great Ice Wines. As you can imagine, the climate is good for this style of wine too.
One word of caution for wine lovers... Some of the wineries only make fruit wines like berry wine, so if you are desiring wine from grapes, check first... Particularly if there's a tasting charge. We have nothing against fruit wines, but you have got to know what you're getting into.
About the Author:
We also tasted at Sainte-Famille Wines; a small family run winery with good wines and a nice tiny present shop. There are 2 other wineries in the area.
The LaHave Stream Valley district is on the Southern Shores with two wineries near Lunenburg. There's also a small district in the Bear Brook Valley on the South West Coast. You may visit the Wines of Nova Scotia web site for detailed info.
Several of these wineries make great Ice Wines. As you can imagine, the climate is good for this style of wine too.
One word of caution for wine lovers... Some of the wineries only make fruit wines like berry wine, so if you are desiring wine from grapes, check first... Particularly if there's a tasting charge. We have nothing against fruit wines, but you have got to know what you're getting into.
About the Author:
We found tasting Nova Scotia wines was a great addition to the whole Bay of Fundy trip. We discovered some new favorites to share with our wine loving mates at home. Go taste some for yourself and see what you believe.