This impressive Blanc de Blancs from Nova Scotia's Gaspereau Valley captures the essence of cool-climate Chardonnay with both precision and charm. Inspired by grower Champagne, the 2019 Brut was crafted with care and intention—aged in 600L French demi-muids and allowed to undergo full malolactic fermentation, enhancing its texture and layered complexity. The nose is vibrant and expressive, offering an elegant medley of honeyed stone fruit, orchard pear, chamomile tea, and freshly baked brioche. On the palate, it’s electric—brisk acidity is balanced by a creamy, persistent mousse that amplifies the wine's core of juicy stone fruit and mineral depth. The four years of lees aging lend a refined autolytic character, with subtle pastry and citrus oil tones that echo long after each sip. An impressive sparkling wine that holds its own among top-tier Blanc de Blancs, this bottle is a testament to the world-class potential of Nova Scotia terroir for crafting fine traditional method sparkling wines. Drink now or cellar over the next 5+ years for added nuance. Tasted July 2025. 93 points - Matt Steeves - http://www.quercusvino.ca
Wine review: 2023 Nova 7 by Benjamin Bridge
The 2023 vintage of Nova 7 shows great finesse, harmony, and balance. Another impressive vintage! The most elegant vintage I recall.
World-Class Canadian Wines to Celebrate Canada Day
CTV Ottawa Morning Live June 29th, 2023 Theme: World-Class Canadian Wines to Celebrate Canada Day Overview: Today on CTV Morning Live, Sommelier Matt Steeves is showing a line-up of his top rated wines from across Canada. The selection of high-quality Canadian wines represents the pinnacle of premium wine production in Canada and exemplifies the remarkable... Continue Reading →
Last minute wine gifts as seen on CTV Morning Live
Today on CTV Morning Live, Sommelier Matt Steeves showed some of his Sommelier-recommended wine picks that make excellent last minute gifts this holiday season.
wine review: Benjamin Bridge Brut Rosé 2017
Ottawa, ON February 2022 Matt's review: Benjamin Bridge's 2017 Brut Rosé is an elegant traditional method sparkling wine that showcases the incredible freshness and complexity of flavours winemaker J-B Deslauriers delivers from their coastal-influenced vineyards along Canada's east coast. A blend of 60% Pinot Noir, and 40% Chardonnay, it presents with a faint copper colour,... Continue Reading →
Sommelier Recommendations for this Holiday Season as seen on CTV Morning Live Halifax
Today on CTV Morning Live Halifax, CTVs Ana Almeida, Amanda Debison, and Sommelier Matt Steeves showcased some great wines and spirits which are sure to impress this holiday season. From fine Canadian sparkling wine, Chardonnay, and Vodka, to international wines from Portugal and Italy, these Sommelier-selected wines are sure to please!
Top recommended (Canadian) sparkling wines to ring-in the New Year!
As we plan to ring-in the much anticipated new year (and leave 2020 in the past), I wanted to share some of the most memorable Canadian sparking wines I tasted this past year should you be looking to toast with a special bottle of fine Canadian wine this New Year's Eve. Because a celebration isn't complete without some fine sparkling wine, here's a few I highly recommend enjoying this New Year's Eve and throughout 2021.
98 point wine review: 2019 Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 – the finest vintage ever!
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... Continue Reading →
Champagne & Champage Cocktails for New Year’s Eve Celebrations as seen on CTV Morning Live
Ottawa, ON December 31, 2019 Today on CTV Morning Live, in preparation for New Year's Eve festivities, CTVs Trisha Owens, Leslie Roberts, and Sommelier Matt Steeves showed some NYE perfect sparkling wines, how to open those bottles without incident (and with confidence!), and some ways to jazz them up by making ‘Champagne Cocktails’. There’s no... Continue Reading →
wine review: Benjamin Bridge 2014 Brut
Ottawa, ON August 2019 Matt's review: Canadian sparkling wine icon, Benjamin Bridge, continues to capture the attention and admiration of wine aficionados, Sommeliers, and fine dining establishments around the world with their world-class premium sparkling wines. The 2014 Brut is a blanc de blancs, 100% Chardonnay, that showcases exactly why Benjamin Bridge has become... Continue Reading →
