The Vancouver Wine Festival’s International Tasting Event is back Feb. 25-27 at the Vancouver Convention Centre with a focus on Italian wines this year. Here’s my hit list of must-try wines to check out while you’re there.
Sparkling
2014 Cleto Chiarli, Fondatore • Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC • $26
Here the Lambrusco di Sorbara grape meets an old-fashioned process to gets its frothy bubbles. Ask about the metodo ancestrale as a taste of the ‘Fondatore’ is poured for you. Then, simply revel is all of its red summer berries and fragrant flowers. Cheerful and moreish.
2007 Ferrari, Perlé • Trento DOC • $39.29
In the northern region of Trentino, the Trento DOC denomination is reserved for high quality, traditional method sparkling wine. Made from 100 per cent Chardonnay, Ferrari’s long aged Perlé cuvée is a toasty and finessed treat for a great price.
White
2014 Beato Bartolomeo, Sulla Rotta del Bacalà • Vespaiolo Breganze DOC • $23.99
Mouth puckering and delicately floral, the Vespaiolo variety is said to be the perfect match with baccalà (salt cod), a specialty of the Veneto region. How could you not be curious about a wine named after its prescribed pairing? So Italian.
2013 Umani Ronchi, Plenio • Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva DOCG • $34.99
Widely regarded as one of Italy’s finest white grapes, Verdicchio allies vibrancy, personality and age-ability. The Plenio is crisp yet creamy with tons of ripe pear, fennel, almond skins and a hint of vanilla.
2014 Tiberio, Fonte Canale • Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOP • $42.99
Truly a head-turner, the Fonte Canale demonstrates the incredible potential of the Trebbiano Abruzzese grape. It’s very Chablis-like with its stoney minerality, green apple and citrus notes. But then there’s a hint of apricot and a decidedly Italian twist of aromatic herb blossoms. Available at the BC Liquor Stores table.
Red
2012 Argiolas, Perdera • Monica di Sardegna DOC • $22.49
Best known for Cannonau and Vermentino, the island of Sardegna has a long list of even more obscure native grapes to offer, like Monica. The Perdera is a mid-weight, succulent red sporting dried herbs, red cherry and tobacco.
2014 Allegrini • Valpolicella DOC • $20
Of course you’ll want to try the top-notch Amarone della Valpolicella at this table but promise me you’ll start with the light, vibrant and fresh Valpolicella. It’s the type of red you can drink every day, for dinner or lunch.
2013 Stefano Mancinelli • Lacrima di Morro d'Alba Superiore DOC • $29.99
Surprisingly yet delightfully aromatic. Gorgeous scents of violets and lavender with a touch of black pepper are followed by a mouthful of dried rose petals and fleshy cherries. It might just be the most unique red you sample. Available at the BC Liquor Stores table.
2011 Jacopo Biondi Santi • Rosso di Montalcino DOC • $63.95
Surely the most famous Brunello producer, Biondi Santi crafts this Rosso from their youngest vines and ages it for much less time that its big brother. But it’s still a pretty special wine and a darn pure expression of Sangiovese with red currants, cinnamon and black tea leaves underscored by violets.
2011 Pio Cesare • Barbaresco DOCG • $78.95
For me, Barbaresco is the ultimate expression of Nebbiolo. And this has everything I look for: firm yet polished tannins, power yet refinement, layers of nuance and evocative aromas that take me immediately to the stunning vine covered hills of the Langhe.
You can purchase your favourites finds at the on-site BC Liquor Store. Access exclusive to ticket holders during the session of attendance. All prices exclusive of taxes.
The wine stars
Well, there are lots of them. If I had to choose three, I’d vote for Tancredi Biondi Santi, Luca Currado and Riccardo Tedeschi. Fight your way through the adoring fans to say hello and ask your burning wine questions.
Tancredi Biondi Santi: Here on behalf of the Biondi Santi family, Tancredi is your direct connection to arguably the most famous producer of Brunello di Montalcino.
Luca Currado: Owner and winemaker at Vietti in Piedmont. From Arneis to Barolo, Luca’s line-up of wines will be just as fascinating as the stories he shares.
Riccardo Tedeschi: Owner Riccardo Tedeschi hails from a family has been in the wine business in the Valpolicella region for almost four centuries.
Must-visit tables
BC Liquor Stores
Featuring wines from producers not previously seen in BC, this table is a source of off-the-beaten track gems. Don’t leave the tasting room without stopping here for a sip of everything from Trentino’s wild and fruity Teroldego to Sicily’s lovely Cerasulo di Vittoria DOCG as well as Friulano, Picolit, Malvasia Istriana and more.
Chianti Classico Regional Tasting Station
Chianti Classico admirers will make a beeline here (myself included). And if you aren’t a fan yet, prepare to be. A selection of 12 carefully curated wines will demonstrate the various unique subzones within the historical classico area.
Medici Ermete
It might seem like I am pushing Lambruscos. That’s because I am. Between Cleto Chiarli and Medici Ermete, you’ll be able to taste the incredible diversity of these sparkling reds. At Medici Ermete, meet Lambrusco Salamino (named for the salame shape of the grape bunch) and the much more rare Lambrusco Marani.
Braida di Bologna Giacomo
I can guarantee a buzz around any table boasting Barolo. However, savvy sippers should seek out other treasures from Piedmont, like Barbera. This used to be regarded as no more than a simple workhorse grape until producers like Braida showed what it is capable of. Juicy, thirst quenching and appetite stimulating are all apt descriptors.
