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Wind Down With Some of the Best Wines From Nova Scotia

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Did you know that around 80,000 people visit Nova Scotia each year? Tourists head out to Canada’s second-smallest province for cycling, fishing, and exploring the sandy beaches. Not many people know that this northern peninsula is also home to some of the most notable wines in the world. 

If you’re looking for some of the best wines on the Canadian mainland, Nova Scotia is the place to go. From white to red wines, countless varietals call “Canada’s Ocean Playground” home. 

This guide will discuss everything you need to know about wine from Nova Scotia. 

The Best Wineries in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia wineries are broken down into different regions. Each region has its characteristics.  

Annapolis Valley — East

Did you know that winemakers started growing grapes in Nova Scotia in the 1600s? The Canadian province was one of the first areas where grapes were grown in North America, and it all started in the Annapolis Valley. 

Eastern Annapolis Valley is referred to as the province’s wine country. There are 12 wineries in the area. 

Some wineries you can visit include:

  • Benjamin Bridge Vineyards
  • Lightfoot and Wolfville Vineyards
  • Blomidon Estate Winery

You can’t go wrong with those options. 

Annapolis Valley — West

French settlers planted some of Nova Scotia’s oldest grapevines at Bear River Vineyards hundreds of years ago. Now the vineyard features stunning vistas of the Bay of Fundy. 

In addition to growing traditional wine grapes, the wineries in the western Annapolis Valley also make fruit wines with peach, plums, and raspberries. 

Check out the following wineries in Nova Scotia:

  • Casa Nova Fine Beverages
  • Bear River Vineyards
  • Beavercreek Winery

They’re as good as they sound!

Southshore

Nova Scotia’s Southshore region is mainly known for its coastal villages and beaches. A few wineries in Southshore feature distinctive wines, including fruit wines. 

Southshore’s wineries include:

  • Bulwark Craft Ciders & Muwin Estate Wines
  • Petite Riviére Vineyards
  • Lunenburg Country Vineyards

You’ll find a good variety of choices. 

Northumberland Shore

There’s only one winery currently located among the coastal inlets and rolling hills of Northumberland Shore. Jost Vineyards might be the only one in the area, but it’s also the largest winery in the province. Jost Vineyards is a pioneer in the wine industry and shouldn’t get missed. 

Cape Breton

Cape Breton is known for the Cabot Trails and one winery, Eileanan Brèagha. The winery overlooks the beautiful Bras D’Or Lake. The name comes from the owner’s Gaelic heritage and the gorgeous views of the islands on the lake. 

A Guide to Wine Tasting in Nova Scotia

Wine tasting is one of the most sought-after Nova Scotia attractions. There are a few ways you can approach wine tasting in the region. For example, you can focus on one region and visit all the wineries there. 

You can also book a wine tour through different companies in the area. Some also provide transportation, so you don’t have to worry about finding a designated driver. 

Are you planning a big event, like a birthday or bachelorette party? You can check out Nova Scotia’s Magic Winery Bus. 

The Magic Winery Bus is a double-deck bus that stops at various wineries. You can select different packages to choose from. Some of the packages offered include meals and tour guides. 

DIY Wine Tasting

If you can’t take a formal tour, you can easily plan your own wine tasting excursion to Nova Scotia. For those wanting to spend less money, start your day at Luckett Vineyards. They offer an inexpensive tasting fee that lets you sample around five wines. 

Stop for lunch at Mercator Vineyards. You can enjoy a picnic lunch while exploring the grounds. Domaine de Grand Pre is a short walk away from your next stop. 

Finish up your day with dinner at the Evangeline Inn. It’s a local favorite that also serves wine. You can top the night off with some homemade pie or crisp. 

Why Nova Scotia Is a Great Destination for Wine Lovers

If you’re planning a wine trip, your automatic reaction might be to make your destination the Napa Valley in California. Nova Scotia offers the same caliber of wines in a unique and picturesque location.  

Similar Climate to France

You might not consider Canada a region favorable to growing grapevines because of the intense winters the country gets. Nova Scotia has a cool climate with moderate winters. While they can’t make bold reds like Italy or California, they can produce other types of wine. 

Annapolis Valley has similar soil and climate to the Champagne area in France. While the sparkling wine produced in the Annapolis Valley can’t be called champagne, they still make it using the same methods. If you’re looking for sparkling wine, you might want to explore Benjamin Bridge Vineyards. 

Different Grape Varietals

Winemakers in Nova Scotia grow the same grapes that you can find in Switzerland, Germany, and France. However, the grapes grow differently in Nova Scotia. That’s because the region is closer to the water and the land is slightly different. 

While winters in Nova Scotia are milder than in other parts of Canada, the weather can still be unpredictably wet or cold. The grapes need to be disease resistant and hardy. 

Most of the grape varietals in Nova Scotia wine are hybrids. Some of the hybrid varietals include:

  • Cabernet Foch
  • Baco Noir
  • Cayuga
  • Leon Millot
  • New York Muscat

Winemakers have also been experimenting with common grapes or grapes originally from Asia or Europe. Another term is vinifera. Some of the original grapes winemakers work within Nova Scotia include:

  • Chasselas
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Chardonnay
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Pinot Gris

If you’re looking for the best white wine, you’ll find it in Nova Scotia. 

Explore the Best Wines Nova Scotia Has to Offer

You can find some of the best wines in the world right in Nova Scotia. Don’t miss out on what Eastern Canada has to offer wine lovers. 

Did you find this article helpful? Explore our blog to see more articles about traveling to Canada. 

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Food

Good Morning: 4 Great Brunch Ideas

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Brunch – it’s really just a fancy word for eating breakfast at a slightly later time than usual. But is there a more fantastic way to start a Sunday morning? And what better option for a friendly get-together than a brunch party?

Your guests can sleep in, then head over to your house for a delicious meal. Afterward, you still have the rest of the day and evening to spend time together!

If you love the idea of a brunch party but are feeling a little stuck on the “delicious meal” part, you’re in luck. To learn a few brunch ideas that will leave your loved ones hungry for more, all you have to do is keep reading!

1. Lay Out a Coffee Bar

What’s the most important ingredient to successful a breakfast or brunch? Most people would say coffee. For many people, coffee is an even more important morning ritual than food!

Make coffee fun by laying out a coffee bar for your guests. Include a few different brew methods, a variety of mugs, and plenty of add-ins. Milk and sugar are a must, but creamers, milk alternatives, even whipped cream, are great ideas as well.

For more info on choosing the best coffees, check out the guide created by Intercontinental Coffee Trading Inc.

2. Create a Party Atmosphere With Cocktails

In addition to coffee, among the best brunch ideas for a party is to provide cocktails. If you plan to go out as a group afterward or your guests will be leaving shortly after the meal, mocktails might be a better option.

Mimosas are a brunch staple, but don’t be afraid to mix it up if you or your guests aren’t a fan of champagne!

3. Provide Multiple Types of Dishes

If your brunch party consists of you and one or two friends, you can prepare a couple of creative brunch ideas and be done. However, for those hosting a larger party, it’s better to have multiple types of dishes available.

Include both sweet and savory brunch ideas, as well as something healthy and vegetarian-friendly. For example, you could have a kale salad and a yogurt parfait bar in addition to your bacon and waffles.

4. Focus on Make-Ahead Recipes

Yes, you’re the host, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to relax too! When hosting a brunch, make-ahead recipes are your best friend. You can provide fantastic homemade dishes and still sleep in on the morning of the party.

Some easy brunch ideas for a group include a breakfast casserole, overnight oats, and chia seed pudding. The latter two are also excellent options for those looking for healthy brunch ideas. 

Impress Your Friends and Family With These Brunch Ideas

Remember, the whole point of a brunch party should be to relax and have fun with a few of your favorite people. The pleasure of each other’s company is more than enough to make for an excellent morning together. 

By using these brunch ideas, you can take all the stress out of brunch party planning while creating a meal that will impress everyone at the table. Who knows, you might even impress yourself!

In need of more tips and ideas for creating fantastic meals for your family and friends? Take a look at our blog!

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Have You Tried Bottled Cocktails? Here’s Why You Should

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Bottled cocktails, or ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, are all the rage right now. Around 55% of average consumers consider them as a convenient way to have a cocktail.

While convenience is an attractive factor, there are plenty of other reasons why bottled cocktails are on the rise. Check out the benefits and options you have when it comes to this new trend.

What Is a Bottled Cocktail?

Bottled cocktails are pre-mixed alcoholic beverages. Some bottles are interesting artisanal blends; others are simple and straightforward drinks. These drinks require no effort on your part—just open, sip, and enjoy.

Beyond hard alcoholic beverages, you also have access to canned wine and hard seltzers. Additionally, some bottled cocktails come in the form of do-it-yourself kits. While these require a little bit of effort, they’re still much easier to handle than purchasing every cocktail ingredient yourself.

The Benefits of Bottled Cocktails

From bars to liquor stores, you have a lot of options when it comes to making cocktails. However, bottled cocktails provide significant perks and should be on your radar. If you’re skeptical about bottled cocktails, take a look at these fantastic benefits that cater to all sorts of situations and tastes.

They’re Portable

Whether you’re going to the beach or a picnic, no one wants to lug around bottles of wine and liquor. That’s why bottled cocktails are an excellent choice for on-the-go activities.

By bringing ready-to-drink cocktails, you save yourself the hassle of mixing drinks yourself. After all, no one wants to go on bartender duty when they’d rather have fun.

They’re Simple

Depending on if you choose a cocktail-making kit or a ready-to-drink cocktail, the main perk is simplicity. You no longer have to purchase several different bottles of liquor, mixers, and garnishes to create your ideal cocktail. Depending on the type of cocktail, you get all of the ingredients together without any effort on your part.

You Get Variety

Bottled cocktails are perfect for people who want variety in their alcoholic drinks. Kits and bottled cocktails allow you to explore interesting recipes with ease, such as hard seltzers. If you prefer the classics, like an old fashioned or a martini, you have access to those too.

Plus, whether you’re looking for a light afternoon sip or a stiff party, there are plenty of options for whatever you’re in the mood for. You can check out these bottled cocktails that are boxed and ready-to-ship, check out your local grocery store or even make your own.

They’re Cost-Effective

Bottled cocktails prevent you from having to purchase entire liquor bottles. Plus, some cocktails require niche garnishes and odd additions that end up getting wasted if you only make one cocktail. The cost-savings are all part of what makes bottled cocktails worth your attention.

Opt for Bottled Brews

Bottled cocktails aren’t just a new trend. These types of cocktails provide great benefits and make happy hours a lot easier for everyone involved. With the wide variety of cocktails available, you’re guaranteed to find a blend you’ll love without the hassle of making it yourself.

If you loved this guide, check out the rest of our posts. We write helpful blogs about traveling, recipes, and more.

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9 Subscription Boxes That Make the Perfect Gift

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You know that frustrating feeling when you just can’t find the perfect gift for your friend or family member? It’s not that you don’t know what they like, but after years of gift-giving, you feel like you’ve run out of options.

So how do you keep your gifts meaningful and exciting, year after year? You gift them a subscription box.

Themed subscription boxes can have surprising items that you may not expect but your friend, sibling, or mom will undoubtedly love.

To prove how many options you have when gifting subscription boxes, here’s a list of a few of the most popular ones.

1. Bloombox Club

For the people in your life who have dreams of covering their home in plants, this is the subscription they need. Or, they may want to improve their outdoor garden.

Bloombox delivers seasonal boxes of plants, from perennials and trees to vegetables and tropicals. There’s also a whole section of indoor plants.

Or, this subscription gift box is a great option for those who have had more than a few plants die in their care. Every plant comes with clear care instructions to make it as easy as possible to keep them alive.

2. Brew Tea Co.

For the tea lovers of the world, this subscription box is perfect. You can order your friend’s favorite teas and even a teapot for loose leaf tea.

It’s an easy way to stay stocked up on a monthly basis so they never have to worry about running out.

It’ll also give them a chance to try out new brews and explore flavors they may not have considered before.

3. Rare Birds Book Club

With this book club subscription box, you can select from two mystery blurbs. All the books are recently published works by female authors, and the title of the book will be a secret until it’s delivered.

Your birthday gift recipient can participate in discussion chats about the book and plan on receiving the next read every 3, 6, or 12 months.

4. Bloom & Wild

For that special someone in your life who deserves fresh flowers all the time. Whether your love is romantic or platonic, this subscription box is a wonderful option for fans of bouquets.

When the flowers arrive, they’re ready to bloom. So the full breadth of their beauty can be enjoyed for days.

5. Wild Deodorant

Another one of the subscription box ideas that work to support the earth and fight climate change is Wild.

Once you order a case and your first deodorant scent, your subscription includes three refills for your case as frequently as you need them.

Plus, Wild offers some beautiful scents like jasmine and mandarin blossom, pina colada, and mint and eucalyptus. It’s hard not to want to try them all right away.

These deodorants are also aluminum-free and there are sensitive skin scent options.

6. Baker Boxx

If you have friends or family who got really into bread-baking during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, this box was made for them.

They can receive a new baking recipe every month, complete with all necessary ingredients and instructions. There are a few different themed options, including one that is exclusively bread recipes.

7. Seasonal Candle Subscription

Candles are one of the most popular gift ideas for your aunt who’s hard to buy gifts for, or your colleague who covers their desk in nice-smelling things.

These boxes come with eco-friendly soy candles in a variety of scents. They arrive seasonally and are packed with some extra mini-gifts to make the experience that much sweeter.

8. Smol for Cleaning

Everyone has a friend who is always looking for ways to make their life more earth-conscious. And that’s what makes this eco-friendly cleaning subscription a fantastic gift option.

From cleaning sprays to laundry detergents and dishwasher tablets, this subscription box has everything you might need to start cleaning for the earth.

9. SnackPerk

Lastly, a snack subscription box. For your friend who just can’t get enough snacking in throughout their day, you know they need a lot of options.

These boxes, which you can find at https://snackperk.com, offer all the popular snack brands in one box. Or, you can opt for one of their other subscription boxes that includes more traditionally nutritious snacks.

No matter what kind of snacks they tend to eat, SnackPerk comes with granola bars, crackers, cookies, chips, and inevitably a few surprise items.

Bonus: FabFitFun

If you’re still not sure what kind of box your birthday recipient will enjoy, pick a subscription box like FabFitFun. It comes with a variety of fun products from skincare to fitness to lifestyle.

It’s an especially great option for your friend who never knows what they want or your mom who deserves to treat herself.

Subscribers can select what items they want to receive, and they will also receive a few surprise items. They can keep whatever items bring them joy and swap anything that doesn’t float their boat.

Subscription Boxes for Everyone

There truly is a subscription box for every person in your life. Plus, it takes out some of the guesswork when you’re trying to figure out what would make the best gift.

Let the subscription boxes do the work for you, and sit back while your gift becomes your friend or family member’s favorite gift every time.

If you’d rather treat yourself and your friend at the same time, check out these quality travel tips for every location worth visiting.

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