This is Labrusca, the species of grape that's actually native to North America. Before anyone brought over Cabernet or Chardonnay, before the industry became what it is, grapes like this were growing here. This particular vineyard in Niagara is over 100 years old. The vines have been producing fruit for decades, quietly, stubbornly, long before European grapes showed up and changed everything.
Drea Scotland at Drinks Farm makes this wine from 100% whole-cluster carbonic Fredonia. A beautiful 7.5% alcohol, low enough that you can drink it like a soda, which is kind of the point. It's super fruity, almost Concord-ish. Grape jelly, wild berries, a little earthy thing underneath. Drink it fridge-cold. (Straight from the jug, maybe?)
And the jug matters. It's a made-in-Canada clear moonshine growler, because Canada doesn't produce wine bottles. They're all imported. This was the closest domestically produced alternative Drea could find, and it changes the whole experience. When a wine doesn't look like a normal bottle, you don't expect it to taste like one either. You just drink it. That's the idea.
Pour it with anything. A hot dog. A plate of pickles. An afternoon where you don't want to think about tannins.
