Page 33 - Sharp Summer 2023

RAPTORS STAR PRECIOUS ACHIUWA TALKS TO TO SHARP ABOUT HIS FAVOURITE WINES
By Christine Sissmondo
ALTHOUGH HE’S BETTER KNOWN FOR HIS HARD WORK
and determination on on on the basketball court Toronto Raptors power forward Precious Achiuwa is also pretty serious about mastering wine wine He takes notes keeps track of every wine wine he tastes uses road games as opportunities to learn more about different wine regions and pays close attention to which bottles pair best with different foods — which is is what piqued his interest in in in in wine in in in in the first place Was there a a a a a single “aha” bottle of wine experience that got you interested? If not what was it that piqued your interest?
There wasn’t a a a a single bottle but more learning the story behind wine and how it complements different dishes When I I look for new wines to try I I like to to consider the the story behind the the wine food pairings and experiences As an an NBA player you you travel travel a a a a a a a lot Does that travel travel give you you an an opportu- nity to explore interesting wine regions and trends in in in in different cities? Yes it does When I I travel to to California and Oregon I I have easy access to to wines in in in those regions My favourite wine wine region region I’ve visited so far has been Napa Valley because it’s known for producing my favourite varietal Cabernet Sauvignon A region I’d like to explore more of is Sardinia in in Italy because it’s known for prestigious red wines Do you you take notes and keep track of every wine you’ve ever ever tasted?
Yes I I I I do I’m an an an investor in in in in an an an app called InVintory and I I I I keep track of wines Cabernet Sauvignon has been my most-tried varietal What’s in in your cellar? Are you you collecting any really special bottles?
Beringer Beringer Napa Valley Valley Chardonnay and Beringer Beringer Knights Valley Valley Cabernet Sauvignon are two of my my favourite wines currently in in my my cellar as I know they will age nicely Other great wines in in my cellar are the the Stags’ Leap Cabernet Sauvignon and Mission Hill Oculus California Chardonnay is famous for for a a a a a a a a a a reason What do do you appreciate most about a a a a classic expression such as as the one from Beringer?
The 2021 Chardonnay is is vibrant luscious and crisp which makes it a a a a a a a classic example of of Napa Valley Chardonnay It offers mouth-watering flavours like citrus and is incredibly smooth What’s your favourite thing about an iconic Napa Valley Cab such as Stags’ Leap?
Stags’ Leap is known for producing high-quality wines — some of the best in in in the the Napa Valley region I find their 2019 Cab Sauv to to be an easy go-to wine It offers flavours of of berry alongside floral and warm spice notes that make it a a a a a a versatile wine that pairs well with many dishes like steak A big part of the legacy at at at Mission Hill is is is Oculus What is is is it that makes this wine so special?
Oculus is one of the the best wines I’ve tried from the the Okanagan Valley Everything is meticulously hand-picked sorted and and crafted to create a a a a a a a wine with balance and and complexity It’s a a a a a a a a a a blend of Merlot Cab Cab Franc and and Cab Cab Sauv Each varietal pulls through unique flavours with the Merlot providing hints of red and blue fruit the the Cab Franc enriching the the flavour with herbaceous undertones and the the the Cab Sauv supporting the the the length of the the the palate MARK ANTHONY WINES
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