One of the best surprises of my summer trip across the pond was learning that Canada makes wine. It never occurred to me, perhaps since I don’t think I’ve ever seen Canadian wine on the menu in Europe (when I started asking about shipping cost I understood why). But after visiting four vineyards in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley and trying some rosé from Ontario, I was sold.
Now, typically tour buses aren’t something I’d choose to do. But if the bus in question takes me places where people not only offer but very much encourage trying as much wine as possible, that’s a different story. Luckily, my Canadian friend knew just the bus for the job. This is how one very wet morning we hopped on the Magic Winery Bus’ red double decker in Wolfville where we were staying in an airbnb that had every mark of a haunted house – especially in the drizzly weather. It was the perfect wine drinking day if there ever was one. From there, we visited four vineyards: Mercator, Lightfoot & Wolfville, Grand Pré and Gasperau.
Each had a very different character and while most offered a variation of Tidal Bay, Nova Scotia’s appellation white, they also prided themselves in other unique varieties. Mercator’s Tidal Bay miraculously made it back home with me, Gasperau’s Lucie Kuhlmann called for an extra glass at the tasting and Lightfoot & Wolfville’s red Fauna accompanied me to Newfoundland. Maple wine was something I had to try and Gasperau served it in a chocolate cup. Dessert perfection.
Other than just tasting the wines, we got to hear the stories behind them and learn some tasting tricks (never trust your first sip). The tour at Grand Pré was particularly charming as our guide for the day wasn’t a seasoned connoisseur but a very young yet very knowledgeable apprentice. A wine apprentice. Was I a little envious of the gig? Well, would I be envious of a career where the most important tools are your taste buds and you get to drink and talk about wine all day? Big time, yup; hire me now, please.
To close the day, we had dinner at the Church Brewing Co in Wolfville, switching our palettes from grapes to hops. The place is rather unique, serving craft beer in a beautiful restored church. It was most definitely the tastiest visit to a place of worship I’ve ever experienced.
monika morgan 