Quercus Vino

Ottawa, ON

April 2020

Matt’s review:

Benjamin Bridge has been making a real fizz in the sparkling wine scene over the past two decades. 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 and complex cool climate grapes, along with visionary winemaking expertise, has resulted in world-class sparkling wines 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 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, making it arguably Canada’s favourite wine.

In its thirteenth vintage now, the 2019 is by far the best I’ve tasted! The perfect balance of aromatic and crisp fruit, Bay of Fundy-influenced sea breeze minerality, mouthwatering texture, and all with a welcome low alcohol (6%) and RS (39g/L), delivering an arguably perfect expression of Nova 7!

Sometimes nature’s disruptions workout for the best. Although not initially viewed as a positive, there was a silver lining when Hurricane Dorian struck and disrupted the ripening of the grapes in fall 2019, resulting in a harvest with a lower Brix levels than normal, which led to a lower alcohol and reduced residual sugar style of Nova 7. Coupled with Benjamin Bridge’s non-interventionist winemaking, the results of the 2019 Nova 7 are outstanding, this is the finest Nova 7 to-date!

Beautifully balanced, this crisp and subtly off-dry wine is perfectly balanced with mouthwatering acidity and refreshing minerality making it a great choice for east coast seafood appetizers, sushi, tart berry desserts, or simply to enjoy on its own.

Tasted April 9, 2020 on Nova 7 day. 98 points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca

Buy winery direct ($24.95) this spring and enjoy free shipping until May 1st. Look for Nova 7 in wine retail shops across Canada over the spring and summer.  Also, keep your eyes peeled this spring for the handy 250ml can format too…the perfect size to tuck in your picnic baskets this summer.