When Anthony Buchanan decided to embark on his winemaking career, he decided to return to his native British Columbia roots. Indeed, it is in the heart of BC that Canada’s wine scene seems to truly flourish. The sprawling Okanagan Valley, with its diverse microclimates and soil types, is home to over 60 wine grape varieties. But, undoubtedly, the cool-climate-loving Pinot Noir is the red wine king. The delicate fruit presents a crispness and acidity unknown to many New World regions, and Buchanan’s expression truly exemplifies what Canadian Pinot Noir is all about.
Tag: new world wine
Desert Hills 2016 Gamay
Desert Hills Estate is a family owned and operated winery, brought to us by brothers Randy, Jessie, and Dave Toor. Farmers and grape-growers first, they have, as they say, learned the wine business literally “from the ground up.” Though the trio has been making wine for over 16 vintages now, they maintain their hands-on attention to detail in every step of the winemaking process: from Jessie as vineyard manager, to Randy as business lead, and Dave as product manager — and introducing Rajen Toor, Randy’s son and second generation to join the Desert Hills family team as lead cellar hand. So not only does this Okanagan winery have the unique touch of Canadian terroir, it has the unique touch of a boutique family affair.
Anthony Buchanan 2016 Pinot Blanc
Tasting Canadian wine is already an adventure for me. Tasting Canadian wine from a hairdresser-turned-winemaker, well that just makes the experience all that more exciting. Anthony Buchanan left the world of hair design to study for his WSET levels 1 and 2 in the hopes of becoming a professionally certified sommelier. Through the course of these studies, he found his true passion was in the art of the winemaking science. So, Buchanan moved on to complete an oenology degree from Washington State, after which he returned home to BC, Canada to start his winemaking career. Today he is the head winemaker for Desert Hills Winery — also of BC, Canada — as well as owner and head winemaker of his eponymous label.
Yao Ming 2016 Napa Brut Sparkling Wine
With so many celebrities creating their own wine labels today, it’s hard to tell who’s making real wine and who’s just slapping their name on a bottle. Well ever since I tasted Yao Ming’s 2014 Cabernet, I’ve been dying to taste more. Lucky me, Yao Ming Family Wines came out with a sparkling wine just in time for the holiday season and — lucky me again — it was just as good as I wanted it to be…
Balletto Vineyards 2013 Sparkling Brut Rosé
I like Balletto wines. I like that they are easily accessible in every sense of the word. They’re available at most local shops; they’re affordable; and they’re (most importantly) fun and easy wines to drink. I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything by Balletto — and they have the added perk of still being a family-run business who sources their grapes from their own estate vineyards. So of course after enjoying their classic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay offerings, I was most eager to give their sparkling brut rosé a go in conjunction with my holiday sparkling wine series. 