I began keeping my ear to the ground a couple of weeks ago when learning this issue was going to have a good dose of Italian flare. I certainly have some favourite wines hailing from Italy, but I was on casual lookout for a few bottles that I hadnt experienced before, and ended up with three new discoveries to pass along this week.
These three wines are notable because, while I thought Id end up geeking-out over some obscure grapes varieties and regions, I was pleased to be impressed by three familiar styles that managed to exceed my expectations.
Abbazia di Novacella 2010 Pinot Grigio | Alto Adige, Italy | $24.99 | BC Liquor Stores
Id stopped into Q4 Al Centro downtown looking to tuck into a little lunchtime pasta and cheer, and ended up obliging my server when offered a Pinot Grigio. Frankly, the grape tends to bore me, but I ended up delighted by this rich, multi-layered version that was chock full of lemongrass, key lime, white pepper and pear. A really nice richness to this one, it stood up well to chicken cacciatore and my ultra-garlicky salad!
Canapi 2010 Rosé | Sicily, Italy | $16-ish | Legacy Liquor & BC Liquor Stores
The pizzas at Nicli Pizzeria in Gastown are among my favourite pies in town and wine director Matthew Morgenstern poured me the perfect drop to accompany my prosciutto and mushroom-laden lunch. This adorable pink out of Sicily is crafted from the Nero DAvola grape, which lends some mighty dark plum, black olive and blackberry character. Super quaffable and juicy, keep this one ultra-cold and pour it liberally when your within a kilometre of any style of delicious pizza.
Frescobaldi Remole | Tuscany, Italy | $14.99 | BC Liquor Stores
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, this is one of the juiciest Tuscan wines Ive come across. Loaded with cherries, currants, plums and basil, you can rest assured that this one will be a crowd-pleaser when youre cooking up anything with Mediterranean flare. Its only twelve-and-a-half per cent, making it ultra-quenching and fairly light, even though it harbours some robust, hearty character.
Tasting Notes
The favourite grape of wine geeks is highlighted in Pinot Noir Around The World, this Friday, June 22 at Legacy Liquor Store.
The ever-charming House Wine girls lead this comprehensive tasting that properly showcases Burgundian versions, and then travels the globe with stops in New Zealand, California, Chile and right here in our own British Columbian backyard. HST is included in your $75 price tag, and as always with Michelle and Michaela, laughs are guaranteed.
