Nova Star Cruises offers a cruise ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine, and now presents Wine Experience and Education seminars aboard the Nova Star. These weekly events give guests an informative and enjoyable introduction to award-winning wines from the region, paired with guided tasting and critique sessions led by an experienced sommelier.
Sommelier Bill Foster hosts the wine program each Sunday in the ship’s upscale restaurant, Currents. The sessions include structured tastings and conversation about the wines’ characteristics, production methods and regional distinctions. In addition to wines, the seminar highlights select craft beers from Maine and Nova Scotia, allowing guests to compare styles and flavors from both sides of the border.
“Nova Scotia is an emerging wine destination with seven distinct regions producing award-winning wines,” said Hanspeter Stutz, president and CEO of Grand Pré Wines Ltd. Stutz also contributes wine-tasting presentations on board the Nova Star. He notes that introducing these wines to travelers aboard the ship not only enhances their voyage, but also educates them about a growing industry in the place they will visit.
The Nova Star accommodates up to 700 passengers and offers a range of onboard amenities. Dining options include fine restaurants such as Currents, and the vessel also features a retail shop, a children’s play area and a spa, providing a comfortable and entertaining crossing between Nova Scotia and Maine.