I don’t know about you, but I am always on the lookout for red and white wines that are not going to break my bank, but that meet all – or at least most – of my criteria.  That includes being from a small, hands-on winery, using relatively low intervention winemaking methods, following clean and environmentally friendly practices, and growing grapes organically when possible. Of course, they must also be wines that are delicious as well.

Sounds like a difficult list of criteria to meet.  But then I found the Cactus Red and Cactus White blends from Desert Hills located near Oliver, BC on the Black Sage Bench.

The White is a delicate blend of 68% Gewurztraminer, 20% Viognier, and 12% Sauvignon Blanc. Pale straw with aromas of yellow grapefruit and verbena, flavours of Meyer lemon and more grapefruit, citrus pith, lemongrass, and green leaf dominate the palate.

The Red is a solid table wine as well and doesn’t disappoint with its blend of 63% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Syrah.  A beautiful deep ruby, it has aromas of purple fruit, and baking spice, with a palate of  mulberry, blueberry and plum, all on a bed of leather strap and subtle French oak.

I bought several cases of these for presents and company over the Christmas and New Year break, and many have enjoyed them with me.  You can find them on the Desert Hills website, and in private liquor stores all over BC.  The winery will also ship to other provinces throughout Canada and are priced ever so reasonably – starting at only $20 for the White and $21.50 for the Red.

Don’t delay – order some now to start our junior Covid year off with some style.