BACHELDER Bai Xu Gamay 2023

Thomas Bachelder has made wine all over the world. After studying at winemaking school in Beaune, vinifying the Lemelson Vineyards in Oregon, as well as brief work in Chile, he planted his roots in the Niagara Peninsula.

Thomas and his wife, Mary, started their own operation in 2009. This gave them the free reign to map out the terroirs of the region, block by block, row by row.

They started with cool-climate chardonnay before moving to his true love of pinot noir in the 2011 season. Then, in the 2016 vintage, onto the crown grape of Beaujolais, gamay.

Many Bachelder wines are organic, use wild, indigenous yeasts found naturally within the fermentation process, and are made in small batches.

Thomas and Mary grow no grapes for their operation. Rather, they partner with local farmers from all across the Niagara bench and lakeshore.

This gamay is produced in Toronto’s backyard—the Niagara Peninsula. Thomas Bachelder’s release from the Bai Xu vines in Four Mile Creek brings expressions of terroir to the Ontario wine scene.

These old vines, from 1981, along with the viticulture from growers Jackson and Amy Bai, are providing a rich gamay.

This 2021 vintage still shines bright with fresh berries on the nose and brambleberry, dark cherry on the palate. Its five years of age starts to bring forth forest floor components, but the acidity from some whole cluster fermentation provides the stability to keep this light wine going strong.

Pair with lunchtime meals with creamy cheese and crisp fruit—heck, why not an apple and brie grilled cheese.

4.5/5 bottles in the cellar

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/27af44_8c16608b5fcd4641abd222412c514ffc/720p/mp4/file.mp4

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VIDEO DESCRIPTION:

In the third instalment of our Ontario exploration series, Happy Hour’s Jake MacAndrew dives into Bachelder’s Bai Xu Gamay 2021.

This gamay, typically the prince of Beaujolais, is made in Toronto’s backyard—the Niagara Peninsula. Thomas Bachelder’s release from the Bai Xu vines in Four Mile Creek brings expressions of terroir to the Ontario wine scene.

Dark cherries and brambleberries are present in the bouquet. On the palate, dark cherries, and forest floor from a bit of age. 🍒🪵🍷

#HappyHour #HappyHourOntario #ontariowine #ontariowines #niagarawine #niagarawines #LeaningPost #OntarioWineSeries #Bachelder #GamayLovers #WineTok #sommelier

🎥Stock Credit:

https://www.vecteezy.com/video/36019209-sandwich-or-toast-with-toasted-bread-slices

All other videography by Jake MacAndrew