So, as I’ve recently mentioned, I’ve just moved to Naramata wine country to work and play.

I’m settling into things quite well, learning the terrain, and figuring out how to best take advantage of the 5 or 6 months I will be out here.  My wife is still based in Vancouver, and though she’ll be here on a part-time basis, Skype is already becoming an integral part of daily life.  Every day I see marmots, quail and osprey.  I haven’t encountered rattlesnakes yet, but I’m told to be careful what I wish for, as I’ll have plenty of opportunity to see them when least expected.

The first wine I got excited about upon arriving in BC wine country wasn’t local fare at all, it was actually a little California number, and an odd one at that.

A friend was helping me move to Naramata, and on the way up we stopped in to share a little cheer with our friend Rhys, who just became Canada’s fourth Master of Wine.  He and his lovely wife Ali (and their two daughters) live in Cawston where they’ve recently planted a small vineyard.  They’re very good friends, two of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet, and more often than not, hilarious company.

The bottle busted open was from Domaine Carneros by Taittenger, and it was their 2008 White Pinot Noir.

Now, this wasn’t like a White Zinfandel or one of those wacky White Merlots.  This wasn’t a pink wine at all.

It was a 100% white wine, made like a white wine, but made from Pinot Noir (red grapes).

The result was pretty damn cool.

It was rich, lush and fruity like a solid California Chard.  Upon the 3rd and 4th sips, Rhys rightly pointed out that the flavour profile was reminiscent of Champagne, which generally has a little Pinot Noir in it as well as Chardonnay and maybe a little Pinot Meunier.  It had some good citrus to it with peachy and plummy notes, some honey and a touch of white pepper.  There was a great round mouthfeel happening, and it would definitely make a good food wine.

Unfortunately, it’s not in the market.  If you’re visiting California wine country however, you can buy it at the winery.

And if you brought an extra bottle back for me, I totally wouldn’t complain.

Just sayin’.