Published: Thursday, June 16, 2016
The Mercator Tidal Bay perfectly represents the signature premium white wine of Nova Scotia. With grapes from the estate vineyard, the criteria for fresh fruit, striking acidity, and a vein of minerality are all showcased with ease. All local wineries have their own recipe for this blend, but if you seek a sleek, refined and crisp expression of this style look no further. Dominated by grapefruit and peach notes, you’ll also find candied ginger and lychee fruit dancing in the background if you search for it.
It takes deft craftsmanship to make a well-balanced wine, regardless of the region it comes from. The cooler the region, the more challenging this is due to the shortened growing season, which makes ripening the grapes less predictable. This particular Tidal Bay caught my attention due to its unique citrus component that makes it more streamlined and subtle than others I have experienced. Don’t get me wrong, the fruit is there, but there is a freshness and almost airy quality to this wine that sets it apart and prevents the wine from tasting too sweet or cloying with fruitiness. There is true presence of acid in this wine which makes it a perfect match for acid driven foods (acid likes acid in the food and wine pairing game).
You can easily test this rule and quench your thirst after a majestic round of golf on the globally recognized course at Cabot Links in Cape Breton. Treat dad for Father’s Day, and start off your meal with a chilled glass of Mercator Tidal Bay paired with their refreshing Snow Crab salad that showcases avocado, grapefruit, cucumber and a kaffir lime leaf vinaigrette. This could be the start of a long-term friendship for this wine and style of dish. Cheers!