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​20 years ago, vitis vinifera was considered unthinkable in Nova Scotia, then, several wineries and vineyards proved otherwise. For example, Blomidon Estate Winery, Benjamin Bridge Winery, and Planter’s Ridge produced exceptional Chardonnays; Gaspereau Vineyards and Domaine De Grand Pré crafted beautiful Rieslings. While Nova Scotia has received much deserved recognition for it’s white wines in recent years, it appears that it may be time  for the reds as well. Congratulations is in order for Petite Rivière Vineyards for winning the title of Best Red Wine for their Gamay, a grape traditionally associated with Beaujolais in France. Vinifera aside, however, congratulation is also due to all the winners of the 2016 Atlantic Canadian Wine Awards.

​On Thursday, November 17, 2016 the world celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau Day!  Well, wine lovers and wine grunts all over the world certainly do, anyway.   Beaujolais nouveau is the most popular of all the vins de primeur, French wines that are permitted by Appellation d’origine controlée regulations to be sold after a very brief fermentation period in the same year as their harvest.  Frequently, only a few weeks pass before they are released on the third Thursday of November and distributed to the local markets at 12:01 am local time.  This year, that big day arrives tomorrow!