Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulayt has officially opened a winery at the Kentville Research and Development Centre in Nova Scotia.

Developed as part of a research programme, the new 360m2 facility will help farmers and winemakers improve their production techniques and take full advantage of the province’s unique soil and growing conditions.

The new facility will feature eight scientists, a vineyard and an on-going research project to map the grape varieties, growing techniques and conditions of every vineyard in Nova Scotia.

MacAulay said: “Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s great emerging wine regions. This new research winery will use science to help grape growers and vintners explore the full potential of winemaking in the province and further solidify Canada’s reputation for quality wines in the global marketplace.

“This new research winery will use science to help grape growers and vintners explore the full potential of winemaking.”

“By investing in agriculture here in Nova Scotia and across Canada, the government will continue to grow the economy and create jobs for our middle class.”

Built with an investment of C$1.8m ($1.3m), the new winery will allow researchers to investigate how growing conditions and vineyard practices affect the chemistry of grapes and how they influence the finishing characteristics of the wine, including taste and aroma.

Researchers will also focus on winemaking techniques, including the identification and use of natural yeasts found in Nova Scotia that could contribute to unique characteristics in the province’s wine profiles.

Additionally, researchers will be working with commercial wineries to evaluate the impact of fermentation and temperatures on the quality of the wine.