Category Archives: Italy

Ferghettina, Franciacorta DOCG, Milledi, Brut, Lombardy, Italy, 2009, 12.5% abv, C$50++

Both sets of ‘rents were over to celebrate our moving back to the hometown.  So, out came this sparkling wine from north central Italy for a toast. Made from 100% Chardonnay in the traditional method and aged for 36 months … Continue reading

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Beni di Batasiolo, Barolo DOCG, La Morra, Piemonte, Italia, 2011, 14.5% abv.

This winery, owned by the Dogliani family for the past five generations, has vineyards in four regions of Piemonte – La Morra, Barolo, Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba. The Batasiolo vineyard where the Nebbiolo grapes for this wine are from is … Continue reading

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Socrè, Barbaresco, Dolcetto d’Alba DOC, Cuneo, Italia, 2010, 12.5% abv.

This wine comes straight from Piemonte in the northwestern corner of Italy from a vineyard tended to by former architect Marco Piacentino and his family.  The vineyard lies directly across the road from Angelo Gaja’s famous Sori Tilden vines. Piacentino’s side of the … Continue reading

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Olivar, Cesconi, Bianco, Vignetti delle Dolomiti IGT, Italy, 2010, 13.5% abv, C$32

Nestled up in Italy’s northwest corner, north of Trento in tiny Pressano lie the Cesconi brothers’ vineyards.  Most of the fruit for this wine – a blend of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay – is from the Olivar, a single … Continue reading

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Tenuta Poggio Ai Mandorli, Chianti Classico DOCG, Gran Selezione, Italy, 2011, 13.5% abv. US$19

I purchased this bottle at Trader Joe’s Bellingham store for about US$19, but it actually cost me a lot more in Canadian dollars because of the tax paid at the border.   Medium ruby with a tinge of garnet, it has aromas … Continue reading

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La Porta di Vertine, Riserva, Chianti Classico DOCG, Toscana, Italia, 14.2% abv, 2009

Located on amphitheater-shaped vineyards in tiny Vertine located in Gaiole (one of the five Chianti Classico regions) and north of Siena, this producer harvests organically grown grapes, uses indigenous yeast and employs minimal intervention in the cellar. The wine is comprised mostly of … Continue reading

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Lugana DOP, Cantine Colli a Lago SRL, Desenzano di Garda Brescia, Lombardy, Italy, 2013, 12.5% abv.

Marta, my Italian wine expert friend, found this at the Cambie Street BCLB and picked it up out of curiosity. Quite frankly, we were completely prepared to expose this wine as an insipid white Italian along the lines of most … Continue reading

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Damilano, Cannubi, Barolo DOCG, Nelle Cantine di la Morra, Piemonte, Italia, 2009, 14.5% abv.

The 2010 Barolos are widely renowned as being part of the best vintage in a long time, but this 2009 was no slouch. From the famed Cannubi hill in La Morra, the Damilano is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes planted … Continue reading

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Pergolo, Prosecco DOC, Treviso, Valdobbiadene, Italy, NV, 11% abv, C$13

Breakfast wine is the best stuff.  Here’s a version that is so reasonably priced, you can buy two! Bottled at Mionetto at nelle Cantine di Crocetta del Montello in north eastern Italy, this is a light, bubbly Prosecco made from … Continue reading

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Ca’ Di Pian, Barbera d’Asti, La Spinetta, Catagnole Lanze DOCG, Italia, 2010, 14% abv.

Made from the Barbera grape in Piedmonte, northwestern Italy, this is a wine showing deep garnet with a nose of purple Italian plum, black fruit, herb and star anise. The palate is dry with softly ripe, velvety tannins, slightly high … Continue reading

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