2018 Adamo Estate Winery “Legacy” Pét-Nat, Canada (Alcohol 12.3%) Winery Only $21 (750ml)
A cannot remember tasting a Pét-Nat (read: Pétillant Naturel AKA Méthode Ancestrale) made from the Pinot Blanc varietal previously, and so my ever-curious interest was certainly piqued when I was recently offered a taste of this release from Adamo Estate Winery.
Winemaker Shauna White tells me that using the lesser-spotted Ontario Pinot Blanc here was a sly nod to her British Columbia roots, and after tasting I can safely say that she made a damn fine decision to take that route. This wine is pure pleasure, and hugely enjoyable.
Sourced from the Kirby vineyard in the Niagara Lakeshore sub-appellation, this Pinot Blanc fruit brings a pretty defined varietal character to this twist on the traditional sparkler. There are a fair bit of solids in this wine, so it pours quite cloudy, but that is nothing to be afraid of and pretty much inherent of the method.
The nose is, as one would imagine with a wine this style, very leesy indeed; this is complemented by delightful mouth-watering aromatics of ripe, juicy pear, as well as hints of lemon/lime. This pear (with a touch of green apple) element is echoed perfectly on the palate, which texturally benefits from the roundness of the lees, the gentle caress of the bubbles, and the Pinot Blanc varietal. The lemony acidity is zippy enough to have you asking for another refreshing glass in no time at all, which is always a good sign in my book.
I was perfectly happy drinking this by itself, but I think it would sit very well beside all manner of hors d’oeuvres and lighter dishes. Adamo didn’t make too much of this, so best to grab some while you can and drink up while the wine is newly fresh and vibrant.
(Four apples out of a possible five)
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Edinburgh-born/Toronto-based Sommelier, consultant, and writer Jamie Drummond is the Director of Programs/Editor of Good Food Revolution… And that was a lovely surprise. Delicious.
