Ottawa, ON
April 2017
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, unlike no others, each and every vintage.
There’s a tendency to compare Nova 7 to Italy’s Moscato d’Asti, given its gentle effervescence and off-dry low alcohol style, but I must say Nova 7 is in a league of its own. Crisper, perfectly balanced, more complex, and loaded with refreshing minerality, Nova 7 is unlike no others, and many Canadians have caught on to this. Nova 7 is becoming Canada’s favourite wine.
In its tenth vintage now, the 2016 shows a very faint rose gold colour with the characteristic aromas of sweet honey suckle, marigold blossoms, asian pear, and fresh stone fruit. Very lightly effervescent, the mid-palate shows creamy and sweet orchard fruit and fresh ginger, all backed with crisp and refreshing acidity on the long finish. Beautifully 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. Benjamin Bridge wines continue to be some of the most interesting I’ve tasted vintage after vintage and the 2016 Nova 7, in its 10th year, is another great example of the world-class wines winemaker Jean-Benoit Deslauriers is producing year after year. Tasted April 2017. 94 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca
PS: Pour some Nova 7 as you celebrate Canada 150 in 2017…could there be a more Canadian thing to do?
Available at LCBO starting June 2017
Quercus Vino 
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