Haskap
The competition medal winner for most unique wine surely goes to Monte Creek Ranch winery’s innovative, non-vintage Haskap Berry Wine. The Japanese name for the Ainu people of northern Japan, haskap berry is also known as Edible Blue Honeysuckle.
The Canadian prairies, even the Northwest Territories, are proving to be very well-suited to the winter hardy berry. The zesty, dark blue, early ripening berry grows on a deciduous shrub 1.5-2 metres tall. The tasty berry features a higher level of antioxidants than blueberries or virtually any other berry. As a tangy, medium sweet desert wine, it offers bright, juicy, food-friendly cherry Saskatoon berry flavours.
