Nova Scotia Wine Heading to Olympics

Benjamin Bridge's 2008 Méthode Classique Rosé was selected as the one of two Canadian sparkling wines to promote and celebrate Canada's best at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

Benjamin Bridge was the first winery in Nova Scotia to produce classic method sparkling wines using the classic Champagne grape varieties and now their dedication to bubbly is paying off.

Canada's High Commissioner in London England will be hosting Olympic receptions and dinners throughout the Summer Games to showcase the best of Canada. About 20 wines, and just two sparkling wines, were selected by Janet Dorozynski, the global practice lead with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

"London is an important market for Canadian wine and is particularly important in terms of exposure to world-renowned authorities in the global wine industry like Jancis Robinson, Master of Wine and Tom Stevenson, the world's leading authority on Champagne," she says. "We want to showcase our very best and Benjamin Bridge is clearly one of our very best...to promote investment in Canada."

Raphaël Brisbois, former chef de cave for the legendary Piper Heidsieck, who together with lead wine consultant, Peter J. Gamble and resident winemaker, Jean-Benoit Deslauriers are responsible for crafting Benjamin Bridge's nationally acclaimed Méthode Classique sparklings.

Founder and co-owner of the winery, Gerry McConnell, said, "It is truly a testament to the quality of the wines we've been producing at Benjamin Bridge since we began just a little over ten years ago. And the exposure this brings for not only Benjamin Bridge but also the emerging reputation for Nova Scotia wines overall...is terrific."

A very limited supply of the 2008 Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Rosé remains available for sale at select NSLC stores in the province.

Photo (left to right): Ashley McConnell-Gordon (co-owner), Jean-Benoit Deslauriers (resident winemaker) and Devon McConnell-Gordon (co-owner)