by Debbie Ross

Created on: July 16, 2009   Last Updated: July 21, 2009

Wine has been produced in Canada since the 1800s, but it is only recently that it has begun to challenge the rest of the world in wine making. One province in particular, Nova Scotia, is coming to the forefront of wine excellence.

Nova Scotia is a peninsula on the east coast of Canada and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Fundy. The climate and soil conditions of the province are conducive to growing unique and distinctive grape varieties. In addition to having the land necessary for winery development, Nova Scotia has strong transportation links to the eastern United States markets as well as those in Europe.

Blomidon Estate Winery, situated in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, boasts 25 acres of grapevines located on the north side of the Bay of Fundy. The gently sloping land and sandy soil provide the vines with good drainage, while the south-facing slope of the vineyard furnishes the grapes with maximum sun exposure. The high tides, famous in this region, protect the vines from freezing temperatures and frost by ensuring air movement and moderate temperatures year-round. When these conditions come together, you get production of award-winning wines such as Blomidon Estates Baco Noir, Chardonnay, and L'Acadie Blanc.

Gaspereau Vineyards is located in the Gaspereau Valley on a site that was once an apple orchard. Its vineyard, planted in 1996, is also on a south-facing slope. At the 2009 International Tasters Guild Competition, the relatively new winery was awarded Double Gold for its 2008 Ortega Vidal Ice Wine and 2008 Riesling; gold for its 2008 L'Acadie Blanc and NV Reserve Port; along with five silver medals and six bronze.

Also situated in the Gaspereau Valley is L'Acadie Vineyards. This vineyard is Nova Scotia's first certified organic vineyard that specializes in traditional method sparkling wines. Its awards include a silver medal for its 2006 Brut and Double Gold, Best of Category, for its 2008 Soleil at the 2009 Canadian Wine Championships.

Found on the northern shore of Nova Scotia is the Jost Vineyards whose roots go back to the Rhine region of Germany. In 1970, the Jost family immigrated to Nova Scotia and began experimenting with grapes. Medals and awards for this winery are many. At the 2009 All Canadian Wine Championships, Jost received Double Gold for its 2007 Valley Roads Marechal Foch; its 2005 Baco Noir, and its 2008 Habitant Blanc. It was also awarded Gold for its 2007 Cote St. George Marechal Foch, along with three silver medals and six bronze.

Lunenburg County Winery is located on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. It produces 24 fruit wines made from only 100 percent Nova Scotia-grown fruit and four grape wines also made from 100 percent Nova Scotia grapes. Lunenburg County Winery captured the medal for Top Fruit Wine at the 2008 Port of Wines competition for its Blueberry QC medium.

So even though Nova Scotia may still be in its infancy compared to countries such as Italy and France, its wines are nonetheless on the cutting edge with more vineyards being cultivated yearly.

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