FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECANTER MAGAZINE'S LEGENDARY CRITIC, STEVEN SPURRIER, RECOMMENDS BENJAMIN BRIDGE IN ITS SEPTEMBER ISSUE

BRINGING UNPRECEDENTED INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM TO NOVA SCOTIA'S WINE REGION

Tuesday, August 16, 2016 (Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia) – Benjamin Bridge is thrilled to announce that famed wine critic, Steven Spurrier, has recommended the Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Rosé 2011 in the current issue of Decanter magazine with a score of 91. This marks the first time a Nova Scotia wine has ever been selected for review in the top international wine magazine, which is published in approximately 90 countries on a monthly basis, bringing an unprecedented and new spotlight to Nova Scotia as a world wine contender. 

Decanter is relied upon worldwide as an authority on quality; and Steven Spurrier, Decanter’s consultant editor, is a British wine expert, founder of the Academie du Vin and Christie's Wine Course, in addition to authoring several wine books. His name became famous in popular culture when Alan Rickman portrayed him in the 2008 film Bottle Shock. Bottle Shock centered around Mr. Spurrier’s organization of the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, in which a Californian Chardonnay from Napa Valley beat out the best French Chardonnays in a blind tasting format. The result upset the world's wine tradition of French supremacy, and helped to spur the expansion of California and new world wine production. 

Head winemaker, Jean-Benoit, describes the significance of Spurrier’s Decanter review and score:

An independent Decanter review, especially in the form of Steven Spurrier’s approbation, is a milestone in the evolution of the Nova Scotia wine industry. This critical success is relevant to the entire community of growers and wineries believing in our common project alongside the Bay of Fundy. The future sure seems bright, as I intimately know the next release of the Sparkling Rosé (2012) to be even superior to the 2011 garnering praises!

Decanter’s international distribution in 90 countries brings Nova Scotia to a new international height as a unique cool climate wine producer and agricultural hub along the Bay of Fundy. Gerry McConnell, founder and owner of Benjamin Bridge, describes his perspective:

We hope this is just the beginning as we develop export markets and help to turn more wine consumer attention towards the wonderful wines being produced in Nova Scotia.
 
Benjamin Bridge is sold out of its 2011 vintage save for 300 bottles it is holding onto for later release to its BB Club membership, a private allocation program (benjaminbridge.com/bb-club). However, the last remaining retail bottles can be found in Quebec at SAQ Selection stores (Vins Balthazard), in Ontario on consignment (Lifford Wine & Spirits), in Alberta at select wine stores (Crush Imports), in Nova Scotia at select NSLC stores,  Bishop’s Cellar and Harvest Wines & Spirits, in the United Kingdom (Friarwood Fine Wines), and in Japan (Heavenly Vines). 

This Rosé is part of Benjamin Bridge’s sparkling program dedicated to artisan, time-proven techniques, which involves careful bottle ageing of an average five years on lees. The winery releases its sparkling vintages in early fall. The next Rosé release will be its very limited 2012 vintage in October. With fewer than 1,000 bottles produced, Benjamin Bridge is taking pre-release orders now. 

ABOUT BENJAMIN BRIDGE

• Since 1999 the McConnell Gordon family has been working with a team of international winemakers to produce world-class sparkling wines and premium table wines in the picturesque Gaspereau Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada.

• In 2000, lead wine consultant, Peter J. Gamble, recommended Benjamin Bridge experiment with the potential to produce traditional method sparkling wine. Upon the recommendation of Peter and the world’s leading Champagne authority, Tom Stevenson, Benjamin Bridge invited Raphaël Brisbois, former chef de cave of Piper-Heidsieck, to visit Benjamin Bridge to make an assessment. After tasting tremendous potential, Raphaël agreed to consult.

• In 2002, Benjamin Bridge produced several cuvées, becoming Nova Scotia’s first producer of traditional method sparkling, and commenced a vigorous programme of planting the classic Champagne grape varieties of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay on its organic estate vineyard.

• In 2008 winemaker Jean-Benoit Deslauriers joined Benjamin Bridge’s winemaking team and, together with Peter and Raphaël, has crafted the sparklings, and also its signature white wine Nova 7 – widely referenced as Nova Scotia’s "iconic wine.”

• Nova 7 is a lightly sparkling, off-dry white produced by Benjamin Bridge, acknowledged by critics from coast to coast, as the maker of Canada’s finest sparkling wines. Made from 100% Nova Scotia grapes, Nova 7 is a proprietary blend of signature aromatic white grapes, highlighting select Muscat varieties, to create an unparalleled freshness, brightness and minerality.

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For more information, including media ready photos, please contact:

Benjamin Bridge 

o: 902-542-1560

wines@benjaminbridge.com