Robert Bell's

Wines of Canada

Since 1992

Featured Wine

Lucie Kuhlmann

Lucie Kuhlmann ( or Lucy) is an early-ripening grape variety grown mainly in Nova Scotia and a crossed sibling of Marechal Foch. Lucie Kuhlmann ripens reliably but tends to have high acidity and an herbaceous character. The wine created from this grape is used on its own and as a part of local blends. It is vigorous, productive and very winter hardy, but has tight, medium sized bunches (larger than Millot but smaller than Foch) that show some susceptibility to bunch rot and powdery mildew. Lucie Kuhlmann ripens reliably to 20 Brix and above but tends to have high acids and may have an herbaceous character.

The variety is named after the daughter of its creator, Eugène Kuhlmann. The better-known Léon Millot and Maréchal Foch hybrids resulted from the same crossing trials. One discernible difference between wines made from Lucie Kuhlmann and those made from Léon Millot or Maréchal Foch is in their tannin structures. Lucie Kuhlmann tends towards a slightly firmer tannic profile than the other two.

The wine can be good on its own or be used in blends. It can have a lack of body which can be remedied by cluster thinning prior to harvest. It responds favorably to oak aging. This variety is widely adapted and can be successfully ripened in grape growing areas across the Province. The wines are bold in colour but with lower tannins. Big and fruity, Luci Kuhlmann produces full flavoured dry red wines with berry fruit and smoky notes on the nose. On the palate, they are rich and often have slightly spicy finishes.

The grape is mostly associated with the Maritimes Provinces. The grape can also be found in Quebec.

Domaine St-Jacques Réserve Rouge 2021 is 70% Lucie Kuhlmann and 30%Marechal Foch;

Jost Vineyards Gasperau Lucie Kuhlmann 100% - an elegant red wine with moderate tannins and a food-friendly acidity that makes it a great candidate for gentle oak aging. Our wine making philosophy is to use oak-aging to add to the wine’s profile without overpower its subtleties. As such, the Lucie Kuhlmann is aged in a combination of newer and older French and Hungarian oak barrels to enhance the structure and tannin profile while complementing the fruit on the nose with nuances of vanilla and spice.

Other producers are Gaspereau Vineyards and Planters Ridge in Nova Scotia .Newman Estate in prince Edward Island first release was 2015.

The grape is quite rare in Ontario Alton Farms produced a 2018 release. They said the following

Lucy Kuhlmann struggles to produce much crop on our property. The berries and bunches are tiny and the resultant wine deep, dark and intense. Each year we produce a small amount of wine and store it in oak. Occasionally we test blends of this wine and when an exceptional one is created we blend the vintages, allow it to mature and then bottle. This release is a balanced blend of several vintages with the barrels topped up with our premium Cabernet.

Quebec wineries using Lucie Kuhlman

Vignoble De Lavoie

Vignoble la Mission

Vignoble Domaine des Cotes d'Ardoise

Vignoble de la Riviere du Chene

Vignoble La Roche des Brises

In British Columbia the grape is rare Beaufort Vineyards , Courtney, on Vancouver Island grows the grape.

Barreca Vineyards in northern Washington State says Lucie Kuhlmann is our most popular wine.

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