Holiday celebrations call for unique wines to pair with festive cuisines. After discovering the wines of New Brunswick, I never imagined I would think of fruit wine as the perfect wine to bring out the sparkle and glitter of the holiday season. Being from California, fruit wines were off my radar. Instead, varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, and Pinot Noir are my go-to wines. I opt for sparkling or late-harvest wine created from Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, or even a Sauterne for dessert. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality I found in New Brunswick. Let’s discover the exceptional fruity holiday wines from New Brunswick that will bring in the spirit of Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s.
One of the highlights of my recent visit to New Brunswick was discovering Maple Wine. Three different wineries, Magnetic Hill Winery, Winegarden Estate Winery, and Domaine Latitude 46 Estate Winery, offered their take on Maple wine.
Magnetic Hill Winery
Magnetic Hill Winery is considered the largest winery in New Brunswick. From a U-pick farm specializing in strawberries and rhubarb to the winery it is today, several of the wines I would serve at my holiday feast. Start with the Mystique, a light, refreshing, dry wine that is a perfect pairing for turkey.
Finish off your meal with Magnetic Hills Maple Swish, a wine aged in a Kentucky Bourbon barrel. The wine is also known as the “Oaky Smoky Whiskey Maple.” My best description is yummy and one of many excellent holiday wines from New Brunswick.
Winegarden Estate Winery
Winegarden Estate Winery is considered one of the oldest family-owned wineries in New Brunswick; the family’s German heritage comes into play with many of their wines.
Christmas is the perfect time to share a port-styled wine, and Winegarden has lovely option in this category. Vineur is a Canadian Port created with either raspberry, grape, cranberry, or blueberry. This fortified wine resembles a Ruby Port. The Vineur name combines the “Vin” for vines with the “ur” from Liquor.
The Rubina, a dry blueberry wine, or Winegarden’s Maple Wine, a sweet dessert wine, represent other options to cheer in the season.
Domaine Latitude 46 Estate Winery
Domaine Latitude 46 Estate Winery lies along the banks of the Petitcodiac River in Memramcook, New Brunswick. With the assistance of winemaker Stefan St Pierre, Bill Fitch creates some outstanding holiday wines from New Brunswick.
Blushing Goose, created from red gooseberries, ideally suits the season as a semi-sweet dessert wine. Find a sweet yet tart demeanor with hints of melon and strawberry.
By far, my favorite is the non-vintage Maple Wine. Think caramel meets maple, blended and aged in a bourbon barrel.
Richibucto River Winery
The holiday season comes in many forms at Richibucto River Winery. Owner Alan Hudson lived on the property 20 years before planting grapes. He started with a Christmas tree farm before growing grapes. From Christmas trees to holiday wine, there is a theme at Richibucto River Winery during the holidays.
The Frontenac Reserve comes across as an almost port-like wine yet not too sweet, making a lovely dessert wine during this time of the year.
Vinerie Des Fruits
Vinerie Des Fruits focuses on luscious wines made from currants and honeyberries. Honeyberry, also known as Haskap, is a super fruit that tastes like a combination of wild blackberry and blueberry. Its fruit looks like a teardrop with a blueberry coloration.
The uniqueness of the honeyberry made the Mistelle Honeyberry my favorite from Vinerie Des Fruits.
Waterside Farms Cottage Winery
Waterside Farms Cottage Winery is located off the Bay of Fundy; for this winery, winter comes early. The Dry Oak-Aged Blueberry Wine is a favorite to take off that winter chill.
Holiday Wines From New Brunswick
When I think of the holiday wines from New Brunswick, I imagine a winter’s night sitting around the hearth, celebrating with friends and family while enjoying any of these fruit wines. Like the people of New Brunswick who create these cool climate wines, I found them warm and friendly on the palette. The alternative is experiencing a winter holiday in New Brunswick, visiting these wineries, and enjoying New Brunswick wine.
