Last December Blomidon Estate Winery released their much anticipated traditional method brut rosé. I was thrilled to receive a bottle as a gift the day before leaving on our European wine trip. Needless to say, I lacked the discipline to save it for our return, and thoroughly enjoyed it, with friends, on the eve of our departure. While sampling many spectacular Champagnes in Rheims my mind would occasionally drift back to that evening, the lovely sparkling rosé, and I think to myself that upon returning, I must have another bottle. I could no longer resist the siren call of this alluring salmon-coloured elixir in it's distinctively-shaped bottle and elegant minimalist complementarily coloured label.

Wine touring in Italy would not be complete without a stop in Fraciacorta. The vineyards spread out from the southern shore of idyllic lake Iseo into a sheltered valley formed by glacial erosion centuries ago. A key  contributing element to the terroir are the amphitheater-shaped shills that flank the vineyards, protecting the vines from harsh winds. The climate is warm and generally sunny, giving rise to riper fruit than one would find in Champagne. Furthermore, the topography and soil types are more diverse than in Champagne. Franciacorta is thus a complex collage of different soils, altitudes and aspects; a winemaker's fantasy come to life.

​After many, long, consecutive days of winegrunting (Yes, we have now made this a verb), last night we got to kick back a little with local friends in the insanely beautiful Gaspereau Valley for TNT, Tuesday Night Tastings, at the gorgeously pastoral location of the soon-to-open (-and-we-can’t-wait-for-it!) Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards in Grand Pré.