Henry of Pelham Baco Noir - 2024

Canadian wines are not generally known for their...ok, let's face it, they're not generally known. And although white wines, particularly ice wines, tend to be the few that make their way to the U.S., red wines actually out-sell whites in Canada. Many of the wines in the Niagra Peninsula lie on the same latitude as the storied wine regions of France. A sterling example of our neighbor's winemaking heritage is the sixth generation Henry of Pelham estate. Their Baco Noir, a red hybrid of the French Folle Blanche and an indigenous varietal yield a dark hued, surprisingly rich array of dark fruits with a bright streak of acidity. 6 to 8 months of barrel aging (25% new American oak) adds some smoke and spice. The estate lies just 30 minutes from Niagra Falls, but no, they donate their used barrels for a plunge.