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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVA SCOTIA SPARKLING v. CHAMPAGNE: DRINKS BUSINESS MAGAZINE (UK) ANNOUNCES RESULTS FROM RECENT LONDON, ENGLAND TASTING
As Head Winemaker for Benjamin Bridge, Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, explained: …our objective (was) to elevate Nova Scotia as a legitimate contender in the production of world-class traditional method sparkling wine and speak on behalf of our terroir, and help people discover what’s unique in the proposition of growing (grapes) along the Bay of Fundy. This UK tasting caps a spectacular year for Nova Scotia sparkling with Benjamin Bridge becoming the first Canadian artisan sparkling wine to establish a foothold in London, England in 2016 through a distribution agreement with Friarwood, a fine wine merchant with distribution across the UK and a retail shop located in upscale Parsons Green in London. Friarwood, founded in 1967 as a boutique fine wine merchant dedicated to “uncovering hidden gems that are wines worth discovering” hails the Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut 2008 as “Our first and only Nova Scotia wine to date but what a find!”. This same wine was named 1 of 14 best sparkling wines in the world this past September in a blind tasting of 300 of the world’s most famous bubblies by expert Master Sommeliers in London, hosted by the leading European trade magazine, Drinks Business. When husband and wife team Gerry McConnell and Dara Gordon purchased their initial 60-acre farm in Nova Scotia’s picturesque Gaspereau Valley in 1999, they embarked on a mission to show the world what genuinely exciting wines can be produced in Nova Scotia. And while sparkling wines may lack the ‘name’ prestige that traditional Champagnes enjoy, wineries like Benjamin Bridge are challenging these traditional sparklers by offering distinctive flavours with classic quality and finesse usually associated with cuvées prestige Champagnes, and at a price within reach. As a true pioneer in the Canadian wine industry, Benjamin Bridge continues to attract critics and wine aficionados alike and not just in North America where it has been hailed as “globally significant wine” and “among North America’s most ambitious and serious winery ventures.”. A recent guest at the winery during harvest this fall, Dr. Jamie Goode, one of England’s most well-respected wine writers and wine blog pioneers, described the wines as “impressive” and “… quite lovely. There’s a precision and freshness here… allied to real depth of flavour.” Nova Scotia is home to one of the rarest grape-growing regions in the world, with a growing season remarkably similar to Champagne, France. Just 3 miles from the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy, the Gaspereau Valley is heart-stoppingly beautiful with a geography and cool climate that fosters the conditions required to achieve the high acidity, low sugar and grape ripening to create wines of depth, character and finesse. The advantage of this region is the final stages of ripening taking place in very cool conditions. “The proximity to the Bay of Fundy stretches the growing season,” says Deslauriers. “It allows us to pick at low sugar and high acidity two-and-a-half months after they pick for sparkling wine in Sonoma.” Benjamin Bridge sparkling wines are available direct from the winery, and in Nova Scotia through the NSLC and private wine stores, in New Brunswick at select ANBL stores, in Newfoundland at select NLC stores (agent Dialog Wines), in Québec at select SAQ stores (agent Vins Balthazard), in Ontario through agent Lifford Wines, and in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba at select stores (agent Crush Imports). Internationally, in addition to the UK, Benjamin Bridge sparkling wines can be found in Japan (imported by Heavenly Vines) and now Belgium (imported by Vinport). For more specific availability, please contact the winery. 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.
For more information, including media ready photos, please contact: Benjamin Bridge o: 902-542-1560 wines@benjaminbridge.com
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