Lightfoot & Wolfville Ancienne Chardonnay 2017
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Province | Nova Scotia |
| Region | Annapolis Valley |
| Producer | Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Color | White Wine |
| Varietal(s) | Chardonnay |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Province | Nova Scotia |
| Region | Annapolis Valley |
| Producer | Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Color | White Wine |
| Varietal(s) | Chardonnay |
| Closure | Cork |
|---|---|
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 12.5% |
| Product Code | D002W00217 |
| UPC | 627843578475 |
| Inventory | In Stock (16) |
Tasting notes
Nuanced nose of golden apple, lemon meringue, peach blossom and toasty-smoky notes indicative of well-integrated French oak. The palate is lively; concentrated and rich, yet fresh, with bright acidity and a lengthy mineral finish. An elegant style of Chardonnay that represents the grace and balance that Nova Scotia’s distinctive coolclimate is gaining reputation for.
Pairing
Fitting pairings include richer seafood dishes such as lobster or crab, cream sauces, roasted poultry and root vegetables and creamy cheeses.
"Canada's 100 Best" Magazine - No.5 Chardonnay
Selection - '20 Canadian Wines That Rocked In 2020' Godello On Wine
Exceptionalities worthy of hyperboles are befitting this chardonnay of concentration, textural satisfaction and immediate gratification. Apple distillate to nose, a walk through a perennial garden on Fundy shores in late summer bloom and then citrus in so many ways, incarnate and teeming with briny, zesty flavour. If your are counting at home, this Lightfoot family wine by way of Peter Gamble and in the hands of winemaker Josh Horton is now six years into its tenure. As the crow flies, qualitatively and quantitatively speaking refinement has never ceased to improve. Has arrived at its new Minas Basin tidal heights, crisp and salivating, finishing on the highest of notes. Chardonnay god of ocean tides, “all night long, writing poems to” Nova Scotia. Drink 2020-2024. Tasted October 2020
Viticulture
Our Ancienne Chardonnay is a biodynamic certified (by Demeter), single-vineyard wine from the Lightfoot Home Farm Vineyard in Wolfville, Nova Scotia where excellent exposure, particularly fine soil drainage and incessant saltwater breezes combine with natural airflow to create conditions that are remarkably conducive to the growing of vibrant, distinctive and full-flavoured Chardonnay grapes.
Vinification
Spontaneous fermentation took place in barrel using indigenous yeasts. A full malolactic fermentation, also indigenous, softened the mouthfeel and imparted a creamier texture. Aging of 18- months sur lie in French oak (20% new, 80% old/neutral) provided depth and further enhancement to texture.
Production Amount
4740Producer Description
Lightfoot & Wolfville is owned and operated by the Lightfoot family who have been farming in the Annapolis Valley for eight generations. Originating in Northern England, the Lightfoot name referred to the swift-footedness of our forebears who traditionally worked as messengers. At Lightfoot & Wolfville we like to think we bring a light touch and enlightened approach to both the agricultural and artisanal parts of our work – working in harmony with nature and letting the land offer up its innate best, without subjecting it to aggressive inputs. We believe being present on our land means recognizing the living memory of its past inhabitants while keeping in tune, daily, with the life of our soil and vines. Our Home Farm has been in Michael’s family for four generations – working the land is in our blood. We’ve also found evidence of earlier history on both our sites, including Acadian and Planter artifacts and even an Acadian-era house foundation where our current winemaking facility stands.
OUR STORY
Lightfoot & Wolfville is owned and operated by the Lightfoot family who have been farming in the Annapolis Valley for eight generations. Originating in Northern England, the Lightfoot name referred to the swift-footedness of our forebears who traditionally worked as messengers. At Lightfoot & Wolfville we like to think we bring a light touch and enlightened approach to both the agricultural and artisanal parts of our work – working in harmony with nature and letting the land offer up its innate best, without subjecting it to aggressive inputs.
We believe being present on our land means recognizing the living memory of its past inhabitants while keeping in tune, daily, with the life of our soil and vines. Our Home Farm has been in Michael’s family for four generations – working the land is in our blood. We’ve also found evidence of earlier history on both our sites, including Acadian and Planter artifacts and even an Acadian-era house foundation where our current winemaking facility stands.
ETHOS
We believe that the best wines are the result of a deep connection between PEOPLE & PLACE, as reflected in our winery’s name - “LIGHTFOOT & WOLFVILLE” - “Lightfoot” is our family name and “Wolfville” is the name of the town we call home.
We believe great wine is grown by farmers and viticulturists respectful of the land’s particular gifts and energies. That management of a vineyard in harmony with nature allows for maximum expression of its unique individuality. Our commitment to regenerative agriculture practices is driven by a duty to protect and promote the vitality of our soils for future generations, and has led us to successfully pursue organic certification through Ecocert Canada and biodynamic certification by Demeter Canada.
Minimal-intervention vinification from healthy, balanced fruit allows us to produce distinct wines that faithfully convey the purest sense of time and spirit of place.
THE PLACE
GROWN ON THE SHORES OF THE MINAS BASIN
The Annapolis Valley is a long, relatively narrow valley located on the western edge of Nova Scotia, situated between two parallel mountain ranges, along the shores of the Bay of Fundy. Close proximity to the Bay of Fundy and the world’s highest tides creates an incredibly unique growing environment with tremendous potential for the production of distinctive cool-climate wines.
Our 40 acres of vines are planted on two distinct sites along the shores of the Minas Basin, an inlet of the Bay of Fundy, where hilly slopes extend the frost free period and provide excellent exposure. Natural airflow and incessant saltwater breezes off the basin provide an important moderating effect, especially critical during the winter months when temperatures dip below freezing. Throughout the growing season, these same cool breezes slow ripening, extending the hang times of our fruit. This microclimate creates balanced, full-flavored grapes that tend to have relatively low sugar content, yet full phenolic maturity and beautifully retained natural acidities. The ultimate result is wines that are firmly rooted in a distinct sense of place, characterized by vibrancy, freshness, finesse, and a brilliance and clarity of flavor that can only be achieved in very cool climate regions.
THE VINES
We farm 40 acres of vines on two distinct sites, one on the edge of the Town of Wolfville and the other in nearby Avonport. Both vineyards have breathtaking views of Cape Blomidon, and benefit from the Minas Basin's moderating impact on climate.
Another shared aspect of the terroir at both sites is the rare Wolfville Formation Soil that makes up a mere 3 percent of our province's soil spectrum. The upper root horizon consists of glacial till with coarse sandy loam, while the deep root horizon’s clay content provides ideal moisture retention.
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