None of you, I’m sure, can have failed to notice just how many different bottles of rosé are now available on the shelves of our local wine stores.
No longer purely a summer wine, there are rosés for almost every type of food and occasion.

Rosé wines can be made still, semi-sparkling or sparkling and with a wide range of sweetness levels from highly dry ‘Provençal’ rosé to sweet ‘White Zinfandels’ and ‘blushes’. Our Nova Scotia wineries produce their rosé wines from a wide variety of grapes and include all of the above styles.

Most wine grapes (red and white) produce clear or colourless juice so it’s not true that red grapes only produce red wines and white grapes in turn are only made into white wines. The longer the grape skins are left in contact with the juice during the winemaking process, the more intense the colour of the final wine.

The colours found in a bottle of Nova Scotia rosé wine can range from a pale 'onion-skin' orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grape varietals and wine-making techniques used by the winemaker.

Let’s explore two local offerings available at the Liquid Assets of Nova Scotia store.

DOMAINE DE GRAND PRE ROSE 2018
(blend of L’Acadie Blanc and Marechal Foch)

Salmon pink colour with a vibrant appearance.
Very fresh strawberry and red apple-skin flavours with notes of mineral and dried herbs. Shows off our signature Nova Scotia acidity balanced nicely by grape tannins, which lead to a crisp and slightly austere finish.
A dryer style of Rosé but also very approachable for easy drinking.

Sure to be popular this summer - this new vintage is a departure in style from previous years offerings and wine-maker Jurg Stutz has really has hit the mark with this wine. This Rosé can take its place alongside the numerous French offerings available in NSLC stores and not feel ashamed.

Pair with – cured meats, salty cheeses and more substantial dishes such as duck and roast pork.


GASPEREAU VINEYARDS ROSE 2017
(Blend of Seyval Blanc, Lucie Kuhlman, Marquette)
Salmon pink to coral in colour.
Soft melon, cranberry and strawberry flavours are balanced with acidity backed by a hint of grape tannins that provide a slightly firmer finish than most local rosés.
Winemaker Gina Haverstock has a nice touch with sugar levels in her wines and the 2018 rosé offers a touch of sweetness yet remains crisp on the finish. A versatile wine for all occasions.
Pair with – cured meats, salty cheeses, roasted poultry dishes, can handle spices such as Pirri Pirri, saffron, and smoked paprika.

Staff Bio – Chris Makin
Owner - Cellar Door Imports – importer of wines to NSLC and Private
Wine Stores in Nova Scotia.
Certified Sommelier since 2000 and a founding member Canadian
Association of Professional Sommeliers – Atlantic Chapter.