Taste the 2019 Tidal Bays

Nova Scotia is home to a signature wine that’s unlike any other: Tidal Bay. It pairs perfectly with our famous local seafood and is a distinct representation of our province’s terroir, coastal breezes and cooler climate. Here’s a closer look at the 2019 selection.

About Tidal Bay

Wines in Nova Scotia are known for their fresh, crisp and bright style. With this in mind, in 2012, Tidal Bay was launched as the first wine appellation for Nova Scotia.

In order to obtain the Tidal Bay designation, the wine must be made from a combination of specific grape varieties and include 100 per cent Nova Scotia grown grapes. They must demonstrate the classic Nova Scotia profile: fresh, crisp, somewhat dry, still white with a bright, ‘signature Nova Scotia’ aromatic component. The wine also cannot exceed 11 per cent alcohol. Once the wine is approved by an independent tasting panel it’s ready to hit your glass!

Though each bottle of Tidal Bay must meet specific requirements, wineries still have the freedom to express their individuality. This makes each wineries’ Tidal Bay unique to them.

Although Tidal Bay is a perfect pairing for seafood, if you’re not a seafood fan, don’t worry! This wine also pairs with spicy dishes, chicken, pasta and a variety of cheeses, giving you endless options for your desired pairing. 

The 2019 Selection:

Avondale Sky Winery

The nose shows notes of apple, peach and matcha, with hints of white flowers and minerals. The palate is soft yet crisp, with a subtle sweetness balanced by zippy acidity. The finish shows peach and citrus, with a hint of spice and lingering minerality.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Vidal, Geisenheim 318 and Ortega.

Suggested pairing: Seafood, sushi, chicken, risotto and spicy dishes.

Now offering: Delivery to the Annapolis Valley and HRM within 48 hours. Delivery to Chester, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, and Bridgewater every Wednesday. Pickup and online ordering also available.

Benjamin Bridge

A light golden colour with a bright canary hue. On the nose, suggestions of fresh lime zest, baked apples and acacia honey are enhanced by sea mineral undertones. The palate is lively and energetic with a myriad of citrus notes, fresh mangos and gooseberries. An invigorating wine which sets a new benchmark for refreshing and thirst quenching qualities.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Riesling and Ortega.

Suggested pairing: Fresh cheeses and seafood.

Now offering: Free shipping via Canada Post for orders of $50+, free contactless local delivery (Halifax Metro and Wolfville area) Monday to Saturday, and free contactless winery pickup Monday to Saturday.

Blomidon Estate Winery

With an expressive nose of Golden Delicious apples, chamomile and key lime. The dry and lively palate makes the wine the perfect pairing for seafood and is a true representation of the seaside vineyard.

Grape varieties: Seyval Blanc, L’Acadie Blanc and New York Muscat.

Suggested pairing: Fresh seafood and salads.

Now offering: Shipping orders in multiples of six bottles. Complimentary delivery offered to Canning, Kentville, New Minas, Wolfville and the HRM for orders of six bottles or more. Also offering contactless pickup daily from noon to 5 p.m.

Eileanan Bréagha

100 per cent Cape Breton grown, this wine is bright and pale on the glass with a slight golden tint. The nose is neutral but fresh, with only a slight hint of fruit. Clean and balanced on the palate with lingering fullness and a touch of pear or apple.

Grape varieties: Cayuga, St. Pepin, Siegerrebe and New York Muscat.

Suggested pairings: Fresh local seafood.

Now Offering: Online orders through NSLC.

Fox Harb’r Resort

Introducing Fox Harb’r Resort’s limited edition 2019 Tidal Bay! Visit their website for more information and details on this beautiful vintage.

Gaspereau Vineyards

Distinctive notes of lime, apple and mango with underlying floral aromatics and minerality. Typical of Gaspereau’s style, it is aromatically-driven and expressive. The palate is refreshing with acidity and a hint of sweetness. The mid-palate expresses delicate notes of lemon and apple that linger into the finish and minerality that persists throughout the entire palate of this wine.

Grape varieties: Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, New York Muscat and Chardonnay.

Suggested pairing: Oysters, wine-steamed mussels, seafood chowder, crab cakes, haddock, halibut, soft and fresh cheeses, fresh salads, chicken and pork.

Now offering: Drive through pickup available. Retail shop now open.

Grand Pré Wines

An off-dry white wine that offers aromas of peach and candied ginger, with hints of minerality and fresh grass after the rain. Flavours of green apple transition to notes of citrus that are bright yet elegant. The wine has a satisfying roundness that adds to the overall complexity.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Ortega, New York Muscat and Chardonnay.

Suggested pairing: Local seafood.

Now offering: Online ordering for delivery, pickup or shipping available. Retail shop now open Friday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also available through Wolfville Farmers Market to Go.

Jost Vineyards

Aromatics of apple and pear on the nose with hints of lemon, peach and floral notes. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, this wine displays the ideal balance between acidity and sweetness. Distinct notes of peach and apple with a delicate expression of minerality and a soft and balanced finish.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, New York Muscat, Geisenheim 318, Cayuga and Osceola Muscat.

Suggested pairing: Lobster mac & cheese, pan-fried haddock, chicken and a variety of soft and hard cheeses.

Now offering: Retail shop now open daily with curbside pickup also available. Free shipping within N.S., N.B. and P.E.I. with a one case minimum.

Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards

Crisp and bright with a fragrant Nova Scotia aromatic signature. Citrus and salinity dominate the palate with a pronounced freshness indicative of 2019’s cool growing season.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Chardonnay, Geisenheim 318 and Vidal Blanc.

Suggested pairing: Fresh seafood, cheese sauces and green salads.

Now offering: Delivery and pickup. Orders must be placed by Thursday at 4 p.m. and pickup is at the winery on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Luckett Vineyards

Fresh citrus notes with subtle hints of wildflower. Dry, clean and crisp on the palate with hints of key lime zest, green apple and pear.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval, Ortega and Vidal.

Suggested pairing: Lobster and scallops, fresh light pastas and artisan cheeses.

Now offering: Free contactless delivery to Wolfville and greater Halifax area. Orders must be placed by noon every Wednesday for Thursday delivery. Minimum purchase of six bottles. Curbside pickup is available at the winery Wednesdays between noon and 2 p.m. by appointment. $20 per case flat fee shipping for all orders throughout Canada from website.

Mercator Vineyards

Defined and subtle, the Mercator Tidal Bay reflects the overarching style that Mercator wines encompass. Notes of fresh 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 its grown. There is a unique roundness that presents itself on the palate of this wine while still remaining refreshing and bright. Notes of apple, custard, and fresh peach are expressed on the mid palate and linger into the off-dry finish.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Seyval Blanc, New York Muscat, Petite Milo and Chardonnay.

Suggested pairing: Bacon-wrapped scallops, fish cakes, rich seafood chowder.

Now offering: Curbside pickup available at Gaspereau Vineyards & Vine Side Patio or Jost Vineyards & Seagrape Cafe. Free shipping within N.S., N.B. and PEI with minimum order of one case.

Planters Ridge Winery

This unique blend creates aromas of apple blossm, lime and lemon zest. On the palate, golden kiwi notes lead to a mouthwatering finish.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Frontenac Gris, Frontenac Blanc, New York Muscat and Seyval.

Suggested pairing: Lobster, scallops and tender greens salad with goat cheese.

Now offering: Retail shop open daily for no contact, parking lot pickup. Call 902-542-2711 to place order. Free shipping available across Nova Scotia.

Sainte-Famille Wines

A blend of light, crisp, citrus notes with a hint of minerality.

Grape varieties: L’Acadie Blanc, Seigfried, Seyval and Riesling.

Suggested pairing: Local seafood.

Now offering: Free delivery in Nova Scotia. Drive through winery service available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bishop’s Cellar

Helping you bring Nova Scotia’s wine country home, Bishops Celler is now offering a case of Nova Scotia’s 2019 Tidal Bay selection. This case is $250 and includes 11 different Tidal Bay wines plus a bonus bottle from one of Nova Scotia’s wineries allowing you to revisit a favorite bottle or share with a friend!

Inside you will also find a map from Wines of Nova Scotia, a Tidal Bay tote bag and an opportunity for a virtual tasting!

Interested? Sign up for their newsletter or visit their website on Wednesday May 27 starting at 8 a.m. to buy your case of wine.

After purchasing a case of Tidal Bay, or if you would like to learn more about tasting notes, winemaker observations, fun facts about the wine and more, take a look at the 2019 Tidal Bay Guide.

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