CANADIAN CORNER

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$ 270

Cheers to Karlo Bubble! With a medium lemon hue and frothy mousse, this sparkler pops with aromas of green apple and lemon. The fresh palate is packed with flavours of lemon, lime, green apple and honeydew melon. A perfect brunch wine. 2023-2025 –lw

11.5%

3678

Chardonnay

The 2021 Pearl Morissette Coup de Cœur captures the essence of the Niagara region in a glass. It is a notably aromatic example of Chardonnay made from vines grown in the red clay soils of the 24-hectare Redfoot vineyard. The property, located in the Lincoln Lakeshore viticultural area, is heavily influenced by the moderating effect of Lake Ontario. Here the mild climate and the long growing season allow the grapes time to slowly ripen while they develop maximum flavour. Elegant from the first aromas through to the extended finish, this wine offers an expressive bouquet of honeydew melon, peach, apple and lemon scents that are reinforced on the palate. Elevage in 10% new oak demi-muid and 90% foudre, in addition to eight months spent on lees, adds depth and texture to the wine. Fresh acidity perfectly supports the fruit creating a seamless balance. This wine is immediately delightful but also has the capacity to evolve in cellar. The best part? Opimian Members now have exclusive access to this small-lot Canadian gem. It is not even available at the winery! 2023-2028–lw

11.5%

Green apple, lemon

Lemon, lime, green apple, honeydew melon, [10.00]

Chick’n-fried tofu with lemon aioli

Honeydew melon, peach, apple, lemon

Honeydew melon, peach, apple, lemon, [2.00]

Salmon cakes with lemon aioli and a fresh greens salad

$ 44 $ 264

This collection of wines from the Lincoln Lakeshore appellation in Niagara showcases top examples of the white wine varieties grown in the region. Each wine that carries the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) seal is guaranteed to have been produced from 100% Ontario grapes and has been approved by a tasting panel of industry experts.

60

This rye-forward whisky is loaded with personality. The nose is packed with orange zest, vanilla, toasted coconut, mince pie and crème caramel aromas. The initial sip opens with layers of grilled orange, apricot, dates and caramel before it transitions into a long spicy finish. Refined and polished, Beach’s signature smooth mouthfeel makes it easy to enjoy Rye 51 straight; however, its versatile style makes it perfect for classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned.– lw

We first met proprietors Doug Barzelay and Nathan Todd on the recommendation of Michael Palij, MW, who tasted the Foxtrot wines at the annual Canada House tasting in London, England. We were fascinated by their passion for Pinot Noir – and the wine lived up to its stellar reputation. We are thrilled to be able to offer a limited parcel of the 2020 Foxly Opimian Special Reserve Pinot Noir to our Members and look forward to sharing more wines from the portfolio as they become available. A swirl of this delicately-hued wine releases a bouquet of cherry, red currant and plum wrapped in the warmth of toasty oak. The palate is notably concentrated with the red fruit profile evolving to flavours of strawberry, cranberry and plum. The barrel influence carries through with hints of cinnamon and clove, adding dimension. Light tannins and fresh acidity frame the core as the wine tapers off into a satisfying finish. 2023–2027–lw

13%

Finish Allspice

Grilled orange, apricot,

Perfect for classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned

Cherry, red currant, plum, toasted oak

Strawberry, cranberry, plum, cinnamon, clove

Wild mushroom risotto

Lightfoot & Wolfville

Founders Jocelyn and Michael Lightfoot began their journey in winegrowing in 2009 in the Annapolis Valley. Opimian is proud to introduce them to our Members across Canada! Read our Q&A to learn more about Jocelyn and Michael.

What is the origin story of Lightfoot and Wolfville? What is the meaning behind the name?

The name of the winery - “Lightfoot & Wolfville” - represents the connection of people and place (Lightfoot is our family surname and Wolfville being the name of the town), a relationship that is at the heart of everything we do. While our journey in wine growing first began in 2009 with the initial planting of grapevines, our family’s farming roots go back eight generations in the Annapolis Valley; four generations on our current home farm land where the winery sits today. Today, we manage nearly 40 acres of estate-owned vineyard and work with a few likeminded local grape-growing partners. Our first wine products were launched under the Lightfoot & Wolfville brand in 2015 to great critical acclaim. The Lightfoot & Wolfville hospitality facility, opened in 2017, features a wine shop, tasting room, restaurant and full-service event venue where we serve our wines alongside local, in-season ingredients, connecting guests with the unique terroir of Nova Scotia.

What makes the Annapolis Valley a great wine region?

The Annapolis Valley is a long, relatively narrow valley located on the western edge of Nova Scotia, situated between two parallel mountain ranges, along the shores of the Bay of Fundy.

Close proximity to the Bay of Fundy and the world’s highest tides creates an incredibly unique growing environment with tremendous potential for the production of distinctive coolclimate wines. Our 38 acres of estate vines are planted on two distinct sites along the shores of the Minas Basin, an inlet of the Bay of Fundy, where hilly slopes extend the frost free period and provide excellent exposure. Natural airflow and incessant saltwater breezes off the basin provide an important moderating effect, especially critical during the winter months when temperatures dip below freezing.

What vinification techniques do you use? Are there any winemaking traditions that you wish to preserve?

Throughout our processes, we constantly strive to strike a balance between respect for tradition and pushing innovation. We identify as winegrowers rather than winemakers and see the vinification process as an extension of our work in the vineyard where our aim is to produce the highest quality fruit possible, allowing for minimal intervention in the cellar.

What is your approach to sustainability?

As multi-generational farmers, it is of utmost importance to us to leave our land to future generations in a healthier state, our soils enriched and free from chemicals. We believe that living soils grow healthy, balanced vines which bear better quality fruit, and ultimately produce wines that convey the purest spirit of place. Our commitment to sustainable agriculture practices has led us to successfully pursue organic certification through Ecocert Canada and Biodynamic certification by Demeter Canada. We are proud to be Nova Scotia’s first biodynamic winery and currently one of just five wineries in all of Canada to carry the stringent Demeter certification.

Which wine(s) are you most proud of? What is your favourite grape variety to work with?

We are proud of our entire portfolio but our sparkling wines specifically have helped to put Nova Scotia on the world wine map as a serious wine-producing region with world-class quality, as evidenced by critical acclaim, awards and representation in international markets such as the UK, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos and Japan.

What does your collaboration with Opimian and its Canadian Members mean to you?

We have long admired Opimian and your focus on celebrating wines of great distinction, and we are honoured to have been asked to collaborate. We hope this feature helps to share the good news story to fellow fine wine lovers that Nova Scotia is making unique wines of exceptional quality.