This coming Wednesday marks Canada’s 148th Birthday, and in honor of Canada Day I thought I would share some of my favorite Canadian wines.
One of my favorite Canadian vineyards is the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. I have to special order in this wine, and it is worth the wait. The Merlot is done superbly with blackberry and plum flavors and a hint of sage that makes it really stand out. Burrowing Owl was also the vineyard that introduced me to Meritage, which is a Bordeaux style blend. Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petite Verdot added in makes for a smooth full-bodied wine with smoky tobacco notes and rich dark fruit. Great steak wine.
One of my favorite Chardonnay wines comes from Canada… the Le Clos Jordanne Chardonnay from the Niagara region of Ontario. Beautifully rich, this wine won best chicken wine in the Great Canadian Wine Match. Green apple flavors with a hint of oak, winemaker Sebastian Jacquey makes a classic Chardonnay.
I can’t celebrate Canadian wine without mentioning the Sandhill Winery in British Columbia, and winemaker Howard Soon pictured with me above. I had the pleasure of meeting Howard in 2014 and taking his master class when he visited Halifax. The Sandhill Winery is putting out some fabulous wines, including a Pinot Gris and the Cabernet Merlot.
I recently picked up another bottle of the Bachelder Chardonnay from the Niagara region. Thomas Bachelder is making wine in Burgundy France, Oregon and the Niagara region of Canada, and making great Chardonnay. This family is originally from Quebec, and became, in their words, wine gypsies, and got the opportunity to work in all 3 regions. They make spectacular wine.
And I can’t honor Canadian wines without touching base here in Nova Scotia.
The Nova 7 wine encompasses the terroir of the province I now call home. It is crisp and effervescent with gorgeous citrus flavors. I love this wine. Benjamin Bridge also makes one of my favorite dessert wines, the Borealis… named after the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights!) Luscious and rich, this is, in my opinion, the best way to finish a meal.
However you plan on spending our nation’s birthday, play it safe and have some fun.
Till next week, Cheers
Darlene
Wine-It’s Just My Opinion 
