Just in time for Canada Day comes the welcome news that Nova Scotia has opened its borders to Canadian-grown wines.
In the June 25 announcement, Halifax MLA Diana Whalen said Nova Scotians can now import locally grown and produced Canadian wine for personal use without going through the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation.
Whalen also noted the Canadian wine industry is growing and consumers want to be able to order wine directly from wineries across the country. She said this is good for business in Nova Scotia and good for consumers.
Nova Scotia joins B.C. and Manitoba in an open border policy. However, still notably absent from this more enlightened camp are Ontario and Quebec.
There’s no better way to celebrate than to pop the cork on a celebratory Nova Scotian bottle of citrus-toned Benjamin Bridge or l’Acadie Prestige Brut if you can find them.
BCLS has a few bottles of Benjamin Bridge ($43.49, 90 points), although my guess is there’ll be more of both showing up on B.C. tables now.
As we move into the peak of wine touring season it’s gratifying to know that B.C. wineries can ship direct to one more province. How truly shortsighted of the Ontario government that it has yet to see the light.
In the meantime, here’s a few worthy B.C. drops to help celebrate Canada Day in style:
Moraine Viognier 2014
Flying under the radar, but not for long, this relative newcomer from Naramata is delivering excellent value. I was impressed across the board at a recent tasting, but this Viognier popped out with its orange-toned aromas, luscious orchard and stone fruit palate with a definite touch of minerality. Winemaker Jacq Kemp (who’s worked from Burgundy to Otago) says she prefers to pull back on the aromatics and avoid that overblown style. This is a deliciously food-friendly style ($19.90, 91 points).
If you can’t find the Viognier, you could settle for Moraine Pinot Gris 2014, a clean and nicely balanced offering with citrus and honey notes wrapped in bright acidity ($21, 90 points).
Orofino Wild Ferment Syrah 2014
This wine was a standout among a few excellent drops at last week’s Dig Deep Similkameen tasting. The vines are from a hot, rocky site right above the Similkameen River.
After being wild fermented, the grapes were pressed directly into a concrete tank. Most wines made in concrete are placed in egg-shaped fermenters that come from California, France, or Italy, and are pretty pricey and fragile to ship.
This tank was made right down the road in Osoyoos. This is a lovely expression of Syrah, very clean and lineal, with lifted blue and black fruit, some meaty hints, stony notes, lingering pepper and well-integrated, approachable tannins. And it’s untouched by oak. A remarkable wine on many levels, well worth tracking down ($29, 92 points).
Intrigue Riesling 2014
A lovely, mouth-filling, juicy but well-balanced Riesling from Oyama, with some citrus, stone fruit and orchard fruits, and a touch of mineral. Made by winemaker Roger Wong, and grown in his Two Wongs Make a White vineyard. Great value ($16.90, 90 points).
Intersection Unfiltered Cabernet Franc 2012 (Oliver)
Bright, red berry aromas followed by a generous, mouth-filling palate, with some nice herbal notes, good weight and a savoury edge. Vanilla hints and a lengthy close. Should develop very well ($25, 92 points).
Tim Pawsey writes about wine for numerous publications and online as the Hired Belly at hiredbelly.com. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
