Report from - Annual Italian Tasting ... November 1, 2010
22 Nov 2010- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
The day started with a seminar about Prosecco and ended with more than a few stumbling home on the subway. Okay, so the stumbling might be an exaggeration, but after some 700+ Italian wines I’m surprised you didn’t find more new rummies on the street in the form of wine-industry types at the corner of King and Simcoe. One hundred Italian producers pouring approximately 7 wines each is a daunting task to undertake at the best of times, and it all takes place in the circular lobby of Roy Thompson Hall; every square inch covered by winemakers, liqueur producers and/or food stations (provided deliciously by Pusitari’s).
Wines from all of the Italian regions are represented, from Piedmont in the north to Sicily in the south, and everywhere in between: Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo, Puglia, Campania, name a region and it had representation from someone. Trying everything is impossible, finding great wine is inevitable, because one thing Italy does very well is wine – in fact, it is one of the only countries in the world that has vineyards that run the length of the entire country (north to south).
Today I wondered around the floor of Roy Thompson trying as many that stuck my fancy – and taking recommendations from friends in the room, looking for delicious wines without worrying too much about price, because well over half of these wines will never see our shores anyway. One that will is the Ascheri 2009 Barbera D’Alba Fontanelle, supposedly scheduled for November 13 release (that’s what I was told – though have not seen the wine on the LCBO website). This is a single vineyard gem for $16.95 with lovely cherry fruit and a peppered red fruit finish – one of the best (soon to be?) available wines I tasted today. (**** ½)
Another wine, currently available, that is a must purchase is the Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi 2008 Tenuta di Castiglioni ($21.95), a four grape blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese –when opened for awhile it’s strikingly smooth with lovely dark frit and plum notes … freshly opened it has a harshness of tannins – so lie it down for a spell. (**** ½)
Finally, Moscato D’Asti fans should search out the Ca’Dei Mandorli 2009 dei Giari Moscato D’asti ($15.95) attractive packaging surrounds this fizzante drink loaded with peach, ginger ale and grapy aromas and flavours … Moscato is Italy’s gift to light desserts. (****)
As for the wines that may or may not be coming to a liquor store near you, here’s a run down: (click here to get the run down)
