Quercus Vino

Ottawa, ON

December 2016

Matt’s review: Benjamin Bridge has been making a real fizz in the sparkling wine scene over the past decade. This Nova Scotia (Canada) based winery is producing sparkling wines that rival those from Champagne and other storied wine regions around the world. A combination of ideal terroir for producing crisp & complex cool climate grapes, along with creative winemaking expertise, has resulted in world-class sparkling wines with incredible minerality each and every vintage.
Nova 7 is stylistically similar to Italy’s Moscato d’Asti, with its gentle effervescence, floral and orchard fruit aromas and flavours, that’s also produced in a off-dry low alcohol style. Unlike many Moscato d’Asti’s, Nova 7 is typically crisper, perfectly balanced, and loaded with refreshing minerality making it that much more versatile for food pairings from fresh cut fruit, to spicy Asian dishes, to the richest desserts available.

The 2014 vintage is a beautiful rose gold colour with a nose displaying sweet honey suckle, marigold blossoms, asian pear, sweet ginger, and apple notes. Slightly effervescent, the initial taste profile is of sweet orchard fruit and fresh ginger, all backed with crisp refreshing acidity and a long mineral finish. Perfectly balanced, this off-dry wine is loaded with refreshing minerality making it a great choice for east coast seafood appetizers, sushi, tart berry desserts, or simply to enjoy on its own whether that be on a patio in the summer or throughout the year to make a special toast in the presence of some of your favourite people. Benjamin Bridge wines continue to be some of the most interesting I’ve tasted vintage after vintage and the 2014 Nova 7 is the finest vintage I’ve tasted yet! Tasted June & December 2016. 95 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca | @QuercusVino

Available at LCBO – $24.95

Try this terrific Nova 7 inspired Cocktail:

Award winning bartender, Jeffrey Van Horne created this beautifully balanced and aromatic sparkling wine cocktail for Benjamin Bridge. The grapefruit and herbs are the perfect marriage for the sweet lychee, passionfruit, and floral aromas of the Nova 7. A great drink to usher in spring, and keep sipping into summer.

Ingredients 

Directions

1. Add ice to wine glass to chill.
2. Add lavender to shaker tin or mixing glass. If using fresh lavender, or substituting with fresh rosemary, muddle lightly to bruise the herb and release essential oils
3. Add remaining ingredients, except Nova 7, to tin or mixing glass. Fill with ice and seal.
4. Shake hard for 10 seconds, discard ice, strain mix into wine glass.
5. Top your wine glass with well-chilled Nova 7.

Recipe makes one drink.

Recipe Hints

* We suggest using Ironworks Distillery or Steinhart Distillery vodka.

Recipe provided by: Jeff Van Horne, @jeffreyvanhorne
Food styling and photography by: Jessica Emin, @thejessicaemin