Nova Scotia Firsts

Written by Sean Wood | 01 January 2010

Winter 2008-2009 produced the most severe vineyard conditions experienced in many years. At one point, in the Gaspereau Valley, the temperature plummeted to -26˚C. Several tender varieties took a major hit. It was certainly a wake-up call after a long run of relatively benign winters. Interestingly, though, not all vineyards experienced the extreme cold. Notable exceptions were Blomidon Estate vineyards on the Minas Basin and Bear River in southwestern Nova Scotia. Temperatures in both locations dropped no further than -16˚C.

Nova Scotia is still a very young wine region and growers continue to learn just how important it is to choose the right vineyard site and, equally, to select varieties that will thrive best in each location. Still, viticulture has advanced sufficiently enough over the last 25 years or so that growers have a much better understanding of how to manage adverse conditions. While yields for some varieties will definitely be down this year, favourable conditions through the rest of the growing season could still produce some exceptionally good wines.

For the most part, the established wineries continue to do well. Nova Scotia’s wines now enjoy much wider distribution throughout the local system and are featured more prominently on restaurant wine lists. This year, two new kids arrived on the block, with others planning to open their doors in the next couple of years. Among them is local personality and entrepreneur, Pete Luckett. Luckett is widely known in the Maritimes for his Pete's Frootique specialty grocery stores. He also runs an immaculate farm in the Gaspereau Valley, which includes an eight acre vineyard. Plans are well under way for construction of a winery building to be opened as soon as next year.

first ever

June was a particularly important month for the region. The first Atlantic Canada Wine Awards competition took place and the two new wineries opened to the public. The competition was organised by the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS), Atlantic Chapter. I participated as one of eleven judges and, subsequently, had the pleasure of presenting the awards at the Catch Seafood Festival held in Halifax on June 27. There were 119 wines submitted and 13 wineries from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick received medals. This was a big step forward for the industry, which will help to focus attention on the growing quality of wines in the Atlantic region.

In addition to the gold, silver and bronze medals given in 18 categories, the following Best of Show awards were presented:

Best White Wine – 2008 Limited Edition Muscat Chardonnay, Gaspereau Vineyards, Nova Scotia

Best Red Wine – 2006 Marechal Foch, Sainte-Famille Wines, Nova Scotia

Best Fruit Wine – 2006 Blackberry Mead, Rossignol Estate Winery, Prince Edward Island

Best Dessert Wine – 2007 Muscat Ice Wine, Domaine de Grand Pré, Nova Scotia