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The fastest growing wine region in North America is not Napa or Sonoma, or even the wineries of upstate New York. It's Nova Scotia, and for the past several months Nova Star Cruises has featured some of the finest, award-winning wines Nova Scotia has to offer at special "Wine Experience and Education" seminars during Nova Star's voyages between Portland, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
"Because of the cooler climate and distinctive terroir, Nova Scotia's vineyards are producing some premium quality grapes," said Gillian Mainguy, office manager for the Winery Association of Nova Scotia (WANS). "As a result, our 12 member wineries are increasingly producing award-winning wines that are garnering international acclaim."
To further the education of international wines, with an emphasis on those from Nova Scotia, sommelier Bill Foster leads the weekly events on Sundays in Nova Star's upscale restaurant, Currents. The presentations offer insight about the region and the winemakers, and guests partake in tasting and critiquing sessions. In addition to wines, Foster also shares information and samples of beers crafted in Maine and Nova Scotia during the onboard events.
"The Nova Scotia wine region has developed a favorable reputation in the wine industry in a very short period of time" said Foster, President of Edgegraphics, Inc., a Kennebunkport-based firm that cultivates entrepreneurial opportunities by promoting and selecting wines from around the world. "As I educate myself about the wines and the unusual varieties of grapes from which they're produced, I also find that my audiences are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wines, which include a selection of whites, reds, sparkling, dessert and ice wines."
Nova Scotia Wines Featured On Board the Nova Star
Whites
Dusey Seyval Blanc
Domaine de Grand Pré, 2012
Ortega, Luckett Vineyards, 2012
Tidal Bay, Jost, 2013
Vintner's Reserve Riesling, Domaine de Grand Pré, 2013
Reds
4 Skins, Jost, 2012
Vintners Reserve Castel
Domaine de Grand Pré, 2013
Phone Box Red, Luckett Vineyards, 2012
Triumphe, Luckett Vineyards, 2013
Vintner's Reserve Foch, Domaine de Grand Pré, 2010
Hanspeter Stutz, president and CEO of Grand Pre Wines Ltd., who also gives wine-tasting presentations on board the Nova Star commented, "Nova Scotia is truly an up-and-coming wine destination with seven distinct regions that are producing award-winning wines." Stutz continued, "Introducing the wines to guests sailing on the beautiful Nova Star is not only enjoyable for them, it's a great way for them to learn about an emerging industry in the country they are going to visit."
SOURCE: Nova Star Cruises
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