Taste the 2021 Tidal Bays
If you’ve never experienced a glass of Tidal Bay, now’s your chance! Influenced by the cool climate and coastal breezes of Nova Scotia; Tidal Bay is a crisp, fresh and aromatic white wine. Made with 100 per cent Nova Scotia-grown grapes, it pairs perfectly with our famous local seafood. Keep reading for a closer look at the 2021 vintage selection.
About Tidal Bay
Launched in 2012, Tidal Bay is the first wine appellation for Nova Scotia. Recognized as a lively, aromatic and one-of-a-kind white wine, Tidal Bay reflects the signature characteristics of a Nova Scotia wine – crisp, fresh and bright.
In order to obtain the Tidal Bay designation, the wine must be made from specific grape varieties and be made from 100 per cent Nova Scotia-grown grapes. The wine must demonstrate the classic Nova Scotia wine profile: lively fresh green fruit, dynamic acidity, and characteristic minerality. The wine also cannot exceed 11 per cent alcohol.
Every Tidal Bay must pass a blind winetasting and be approved by an independent panel to ensure the highest quality. Though each bottle of Tidal Bay must meet specific requirements, no two bottles are alike! Wineries are still able to express their individuality and create their own unique wine.
The food pairing options with Tidal Bay are endless – from local seafood and chicken to fresh cheeses.
With 14 Tidal Bays – this year is the largest selection yet! We’ve put together a guide to help you explore and experience the 2021 Tidal Bays for yourself!
The 2021 Selection:
Avondale Sky Winery
A fresh and aromatic wine with lingering minerality. The nose shows notes of apple, peach and citrus. The palette is soft yet crisp, with peach, citrus and subtle herbal note.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Geisenheim 318, Ortega and Petite Milo.
Suggested pairings: Nova Scotian seafood and fried chicken.
Benjamin Bridge
In the glass, a pale straw colour with a white gold hue. The nose offers an utterly oure bouquet of citrus oils, bittersweet floral perfume and fresh-culled mint. On the palate, the wine in crisp and electrifying, with zesty suggestions of line, tangerine and a seamless chalhy finish made of echoing maritime mineral notes.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Ortega, Seyval blanc, and Geisenheim 318.
Suggested pairings: Nova Scotia seafood.
Blomidon Estate Winery
An expressive nose of Golden Delicious apple, chamomile and Key lime, with a dryishly crisp, lively palate.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc and New York Muscat.
Suggested pairings: Nova Scotia seafood.
Gaspereau Vineyards
Distinctive notes of apple and tropical fruit with underlying floral aromatics and minerality are expressed on the nose of Gaspereau Vineyards’ 2021 Tidal Bay. The palate is refreshing, balancing the brightness of the acidity with a hint of sweetness. The mid-palate expresses delicate notes of apple and peach that linger into the finish and a minerality that persists throughout the entire palate of the wine.
Grape varieties: Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, New York Muscat, Riesling and Chardonnay.
Suggested pairings: Seafood, soft and fresh cheeses, salads, chicken and pork.
Grand Pré Wines
Tropical aromas combined with notes of bright citrus, ripe peach, and minerality. On the palate, refreshing flavours of green apple and lemon give way to a delicate stone fruit finish.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Ortega and New York Muscat.
Suggested pairings: Seafood
Jost Vineyards
Aromatics of apple and pear on the nose with hints of lemon, peach and floral notes. The palate consists of an ideal balance between acidity and sweetness with the mid-palate soft with delicate minerality.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, New York Muscat, Riesling, Geisenheim 318, Cayuga and Osceola Muscat.
Suggested pairings: Seafood, chicken and various soft and hard cheeses.
L’Acadie Vineyards
Organic and dry, with tropical and citrus notes. The acidity and citrus flavour, fully complements the rich tropical notes of a L’Acadie Blanc. Enhanced minerality and slight saline from schist, sandstone, an ancient seabed, is their own terroir signature.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc and Seyval Blanc.
Suggested pairings: Oysters, lobster, light pasta and artisanal cheese.
Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
A pale, yet luminous gold in the glass. On the nose, green apple, white blossom and honeyed citrus notes. The lively green fruit carries over to the palate with mouthwatering, textured acidity, salinity and a hint of sweetness, providing a balanced, perceptually dry finish.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Scheurebe and Geisenheim 318.
Suggested pairings: Green salads, cheese sauces and seafood.
Luckett Vineyards
On the nose, fresh citrus notes with subtle hints of pear and wildflower. The palette is dryish, clean and crisp with hints of key lime, red apple and fresh pear.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie, Seyval, Chardonnay and Ortega.
Suggested pairings: Seafood, light pasta and artisanal cheeses.
Mercator Vineyards
Notes of apple, custard, lemon rind and subtle spicy notes are delicately expressed on the nose, allowing the fruit to convey a sense of the cool climate where it was grown. There is a unique roundness that presents itself on the palette, while still remaining refreshing and bright. Notes of apple, custard and lemon curd are expressed on the mid palate and linger through into the off-dry finish.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Riesling, New York Muscat, Chardonnay and Petite Milo.
Suggested pairings: Local seafood.
Planters Ridge Winery
On the nose are notes of apple blossom, lime and lemon zest. On the palette, notes of grapefruit lead to a mouthwatering finish.
Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Frontenac Blanc, Frontenac Gris, Seyval, New York Muscat and Chardonnay.
Suggested pairings: Shellfish, salads and fresh cheeses.
Sainte-Famille Winery
Light and refreshing with notes of fresh fruit on the nose.
Grape Varieties: L’Acadie Blanc and Siegfried.
Suggested pairings: Seafood.
1365 Church Street Vineyard & Winery
A distinctive brightness in the glass. The nose is fresh, yet complex. The palate is dryishly crisp, with body and fullness that lingers with every sip.
Grape varieties: Seyval, Geisenheim 318, Chardonnay and L’Acadie.
Suggested pairings: Nova Scotia seafood, chicken, pasta and cheese
Eileanan Brèagha
Visit the Eileanan Brèagha website to learn more about the winery and their wines.
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Make sure to visit Wine Growers Nova Scotia for even more details on the 2021 Tidal Bay vintages.
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