The wines of Benjamin Bridge, Nova Scotia, Canada
Top quality sparkling wines from this marginal region

Website: www.benjaminbridge.com

Benjamin Bridge is based in the Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia. Canadian wine regions tend to be marginal, hemmed in at either end by extreme cold, and Nova Scotia - the bit of Canada that sticks out into the sea at pretty much its eastern extreme at the same latitude as Montreal, is marginal. But the influence of the Atlantic helps make it possible to grow grapes here that are perfect for making sparkling wine.

The project here was started back in 1999, and with Peter Gamble as consultant, as well as input from sparkling wine expert Raphaël Brisbois, the first wines were released from the 2004 vintage. On site winemaker is French Canadian Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, who makes traditional method fizz from the three classic Champagne varieties. I was really impressed.

THE WINES 

Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut 2009 Nova Scotia, Canada
7 g/l dosage. Wonderfully pure and bright with citrus, pear and white peach fruit. Nice precision. Focused and fresh showing detail and superb balance. 92/100

Benjamin Bridge Brut Reserve 2007 Nova Scotia, Canada
4 g/litre dosage. Fresh, precise, lively and concentrated with lemony precision and focused citrus fruits. Lovely, stylish fizz with a linear, lemony core. 93/100

Nova 7 by Benjamin Bridge, Nova Scotia, Canada
This is inspired by Moscato d'Asti, and it's 7% alcohol. It took 2-3 years to get the blend right. This is Muscat plus other grapes (8 varieties in all), with three varieties of Muscat in the mix. Lively and tangy with fresh grapey characters, some jelly notes and brisk acidity. Fresh and delicious. 88/100

VISITING ONTARIO WINE COUNTRY, CANADA

NIAGARA
Southbrook
Malivoire
Tawse
Pearl Morissette
Bachelder
Hidden Bench
Ravine

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
Hinterland
Closson Chase
Huff Estates
Rosehall Run
Norman Hardie

Wines tasted 05/14  
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com

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