L'Acadie Blanc & Petite Pearl, Toronto, Ontario 

A gorgeously regional rosé from one of the most stirring projects in Ontario. Driven, knowledgable and spirited winemaker Drea Scotland’s project, Drinks Farm, is all about grounding curiosity, newfound sensory experiences & utilizing local ingredients that extend from grape to raw honey. Drea’s 2023 vintage, as well as the next couple of vintages from Drinks Farm, will be made from 100% purchased grapes (aka négoce), until her freshly-planted, one year old hybrid vineyard starts producing. She describes ‘Jarel’ as a rosato of 50/50 late harvest, distinctly mineral, sauvignon blanc-esque l’acadie blanc and forest-inflected, black fruited petite pearl, from Appletop Farm in Thornbury, Ontario, certified organic and previously demeter certified, but still using biodynamic practices. FUN FACT! L’acadie blanc is a hybrid crossing of Cascade and Seyve-Villard 14-287, created in 1953 by grape breeder Ollie A. Bradt in Niagara, Ontario at the (then called) Vineland Horticultural Research Station! These unique, tasty hybrids were direct pressed together and aged on their lees for seven months infusing texture and aromatics. V8 meets tomato consomme, bouquet garni, seawall minerality filled out by serviceberry at the forest's edge, dried sweetgrass & cheery acidity that tucks all the way ‘round your tongue. Enjoy while tanning on your fire escape, afternoon traffic radiating below you.