Showing posts with label sicily. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sicily. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedWednesday, January 24, 2024

Orestiadi Ludovico 2008 (Sicily) - Wine Review



red wine review is a lovely blend of Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon that I purchased nearly a decade ago from the LCBO VINTAGES Release. Of course, it is long sold out by now, but you can grab the latest vintage of this wine (link in product code below) as it arrived in LCBO VINTAGES late last year, with some bottles still available for purchase now.

Orestiadi Ludovico 2008 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

ORESTIADI LUDOVICO 2008 - IGT Rosso Sicilia, Italy (#388645) (XD) - $19.95
This blend of Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep garnet colour. Lovely, medium-high intensity bouquet of dried floral, dried & stewed dark berry, savoury wet earth, and sweet spice aromas. It's medium-full bodied and dry with smooth, fine-grained tannins that are resolving nicely and with very good acidity. Flavours are savoury with wet earth, forest floor, and woody flavours, plus touches of desiccated dark berry, violet, and dark plum. Still quite composed and balanced, with just a touch of warmth and some chalky grip on the mid-palate. Earthy and savoury, with some stewed dark berry notes on the satisfyingly long finish. Aging nicely and should continue to drink well over the next few years. Score: 91+ pts


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  • Date publishedThursday, August 3, 2023

Planeta Frappato 2021 (Sicily) - Wine Review

After enjoying the beautiful 2018 Planeta Frappato Vittoria a couple of years ago, red wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific (and now organically certified) red wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Planeta, a well-established and respected wine producer based on the island of Sicily, Italy. The Planeta family have been involved in the agricultural evolution on the complex lands of Sicily for over 500 years and 17 generations. Their approach has always been inclined towards openness and innovation, and in the early 1900's, Grandfather Vito led the way towards new solutions and new prospects by transforming the small, family winery in Menfi, in western Sicily, into a large co-operative in a short period of time.

Fast-forward to the mid-1980's, the Planeta family planted their first vines around a 16th century farmhouse, Ulmo, which the family has always owned. They wanted to provide this beautiful place full of memories with a new future and built their first winery at the site in 1995, on the banks of Lake Arancio and its nearby woods. The success of the winery at Ulmo led to further expansion on the island, with the idea of producing each wine in its own territory.

In addition to the winery in Menfi, Planeta also has wineries in Etna, Capo Milazzo, Noto, and where this wine is from - Vittoria. The Dorilli estate was established in Vittoria by renovating the big country house which stood at the centre of the family's landholding in the late-1990's, with the first vines planted in 1997. Vittoria is a place redolent of history and the long agricultural traditions of the Planeta family - even their ancestors couldn't agree on whether Vittoria or Menfi would be better suited to cultivate vines.

Planeta is still family-owned and operated today, with primarily two generations of the family, which includes brothers and sisters, children, nieces and nephews, who work together with a vision of unity, a love for the land, and a desire to protect it by using sustainable and environmentally-friendly viticultural approaches to winemaking. Planeta is also dedicated to producing high-quality wines that showcase the unique terroir of Sicily's diverse wine regions.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Frappato, a rare, exclusive, and sought after variety that is grown in only a few hectares around Vittoria, on the island of Sicily. It is cultivated according to sustainable and organic standards and reaches its ultimate expression in the red sands of Vittoria, not far from the sea, where this wine is from. The soils in Vittoria are primarily sandy textured and consist of mainly loose red sands with a structure of small dimensions, moderately deep. An important layer of tufa (limestone) sits at about 90 cm deep, allowing for water capacity and balance for the plants. This Frappato was grown in the Mogli vineyard, which is located 70 metres above sea level.

The grapes were hand picked and transported to the winery in small trolleys. Once the grapes arrived at the winery, they were de-stemmed and pressed, then fermented in stainless steel tanks. After alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine remains in contact with the skins for 10-13 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine remains in stainless steel tanks for further maturation, prior to bottling. From a smaller, but formidable vintage, let's see how this 2021 Frappato from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Planeta Frappato 2021 (91+ pts)

Tasting Note:

PLANETA FRAPPATO 2021 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95
Organic, 100% Frappato raised entirely in stainless steel tanks. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is elegantly aromatic with red berry, raspberry, herbs, red licorice, cherry, and smoky-stony mineral aromas with touches of floral and earth. On the dry, light-to-mid weighted palate it offers juicy and ripe raspberry, herbal, cherry, earthy mineral flavours that are backed by fresh, well-balanced acidity and light, dusty textured tannins. It has very nice interplays between the berry fruit, savoury mineral, and herbal characters, with the mineral notes lingering through to the long-lasting, gently chalky textured finish. Even better than last time and a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Quite a few wines by Planeta are available at the LCBO, albeit in limited quantities, while the whol range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, December 7, 2022

Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d'Avola 2018 (Sicily) - Wine Review

red wine review is a lovely Nero d'Avola from Sicily that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on .

Feudo Maccari was founded in the late 1990's when Antonio Moretti Cuseri of Tenuta Sette Ponti in Tuscany visited Sicily for a brief time and was enchanted by region's famous Baroque style and the warm waters of the sea. He thought he would only stay a while, but ended up planting roots and beginning a new adventure by acquiring land by units of "tumulo", an ancient Sicilian unit of measurement equal to 1,744 square metres, and acquiring more than fifty properties.

Today, Feudo Maccari has more than 250 hectares of property with about 60 hectares of land under vine, all of which exclusively rely on the head-trained system. This system was brought over by the first Greek colonists and is very costly to manage, but it is well-suited to the warm climate of southeastern Sicily. With the head-trained system, the bunches of grapes are protected by the leaves, while also limiting the oxidation of polyphenolic and aromatic substances. At the same time, the leaves are exposed to the sun's rays, allowing for excellent photosynthesis. Antonio chose this system because of the way it allows for perfect ventilation, how it offers the maximum amount of sunlight during daytime hours, and the fact that the bunches stay closer to the ground, which allows for ideal heat exchange so the fruit ripens.

Antonio immediately focused on native grape varieties like Nero d'Avola, Grillo, and Moscato di Noto, as well as some international varieties, to bring a fruity elegance and rich minerality to the wines. Because of Feudo Maccari's proximity to the sea and the limestone-rich soils, the area is perfect for quality winemaking and Nero d’Avola, in particular, came to life in this area between Avola and Pachino, in the province of Siracusa. Nero d'Avola is one of the great grape varieties of southern Italy, helping usher in a new era in the 1980s. Produced as a single variety, Nero d'Avola has shown itself to be an elegant, harmonious, well-balanced, and structured red able to stand up to long ageing in bottle.

The Saia gets its name from the irrigation canals created by the Arabs to collect rainwater centuries ago. It is crafted with Maccari's best selection of Nero d'Avola grapes, which were handpicked from 20-30 year old vines that were planted to south-facing vineyards situated 80 metres above sea level on volcanic soils with white sand and chalk deposits. The skins were gently broken and then it was fermented in stainless steel tanks and lined vats. The wine's first blend occurs when it is placed in barrique, and blended a second time at the first racking. It was aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak and then bottled with minimum intervention.

The 2018 vintage was characterized by a rainy spring which helped to refill the ground water, followed by a very sunny summer with temperatures sometimes higher than usual, along with sporadic rains which allowed the vines to work. September had perfect weather conditions with sunny, but not too hot days, and fresh nights, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly. The balanced and regular weather trend helped guarantee the best territorial expression of the grapes and obtain wines of great elegance, beautiful acidity, and longevity. Let's see how this 2018 Nero d'Avola from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d'Avola 2018 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

FEUDO MACCARI SAIA NERO D'AVOLA 2018 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#128967) (XD) - $29.95
The nose is richly intense and spicy, followed by aromas of plum, red cherry, mineral, sandalwood, and raspberry. It's full-bodied and quite dense on the palate with a plummy core accented with cherry, sweet spices, and oak, plus savoury undertones. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the smooth and well-integrated with a slightly chalky mouthfeel on the back palate. Savoury, minerally, and tangy with sweet spices linger on the long, crisp, and very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

A very select number of wines from Feudo Maccari, while other wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, July 14, 2022

July 16, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Mediterranean

LCBO Wine Picks: July 16, 2022 VINTAGES Release
The theme of the upcoming July 16, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release is titled "Sun, Sea & Sips" and focuses on wines from the Mediterranean. Also included in the magazine is a list of the next Online Exclusives collection that will be available starting July 28. Wines from this Release will be available at LCBO outlets across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme on wines from sunny vineyards along the Mediterranean coast that are synonymous with summertime sipping. Of the eighteen wines featured in the theme, six are included among my top wine picks. Starting on the eastern side in Greece is an Assyrtiko from the Florina appellation in the hills of Amyndeon. Moving westward into Italy are a pair of lovely single varietal red wines from the island of Sicily made with Nero d'Avola and Frappato. From France, there are a pair of fine dry rosé wines - the one from Provence is a blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, and 5% Syrah, while the Tavel from Rhône consists of 39% Grenache Noir, 25% Cinsault, 10% Grenache Blanc, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, and other varieties.

Kir-Yianni Le Nord Assyrtiko 2020

Among my red wine recommendations from the rest of the Release, the lovely GSM blend from Australia consists of 59% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre, and 19% Syrah, while the Roussillon red is primarily Grenache with Syrah and Carignan in support. The rest of the reds are all single varietal wines. The Morgon from Beaujolais is made with Gamay, while the Beaune from Burgundy is Pinot Noir. There's also a pair of lovely Malbec wines from Argentina, and from Australia there is a Shiraz and a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Torbreck Old Vines Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre 2018 (91 pts)Salentein Reserve Malbec 2019 (90+ pts)

Laurent Gauthier Grand Cras Vieilles Vignes Morgon 2019

My white wine picks from the rest of the Release are all single varietal wines. From France, there is a lovely Muscadet from Loire that is made with the Melon de Bourgogne grape, while the white wine from Burgundy is made with Aligoté. For Sauvignon Blanc wine lovers, there is a Sancerre from Loire, as well as a Sauvignon Blanc from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough. Other dry white wines include an excellent Assyrtiko from Santorini, a Chenin Blanc from South Africa, as well as a pair of Chardonnay wines from Niagara. If you enjoy sweeter wines, grab the Riesling from Mosel.

Domaine La Haute Févrie Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2020 (90+ pts)Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (89 pts)

Among my pink wine recommendations, the rosé from Niagara is a blend of 46% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Gris, and 19% Gamay, while the version from Tuscany consists of Sangiovese and Merlot. Among my pink sparkling wine picks, the wine from Provence is crafted with Syrah and Grenache, while the bubbly from South Africa is a blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay.

Rivarose Brut Prestige Sparkling Rosé (89 pts)

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2019 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#640854) (XD) - $17.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • COLAB & BLOOM SHIRAZ 2019 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#16043) (XD) - $19.95
  • LAURENT GAUTHIER GRAND CRAS VIEILLES VIGNES MORGON 2019 - AC, Beaujolais, France (#279059) (XD) - $19.95  review coming soon...
  • CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE / SYRAH / CARIGNAN 2019 - AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Midi, France (#119354) (D) - $19.95
  • DANDELION PRIDE OF THE FLEURIEU CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Fleurieu, South Australia (#23778) (XD) - $21.95
  • PLANETA FRAPPATO VITTORIA 2019 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $22.95
  • TORBRECK OLD VINES GRENACHE / SHIRAZ / MOURVÈDRE 2018 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#10223) (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
  • FEUDO MONTONI LAGNUSA NERO D'AVOLA 2019 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#523738) (XD) - $24.95
  • CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#11769) (XD) - $24.95
  • ARNOUX PÈRE & FILS LES BEAUMONTS CHOREY-LÈS-BEAUNE 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#557785) (XD) - $39.95

White Wine:

  • DOMAINE LA HAUTE FÉVRIE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE 2020 - AC, Loire, France (#390625) (XD) - $15.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • PROSPER MAUFOUX BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#23984) (XD) - $17.95
  • KIR-YIANNI LE NORD ASSYRTIKO 2020 - Vegan, IGP Florina, Greece (#25707) (XD) - $18.95  review coming soon...
  • ERADUS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#225557) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • MULLINEUX KLOOF STREET CHENIN BLANC 2021 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#21111) (XD) - $19.95
  • BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#302083) (XD) - $24.95
  • CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY 2019 - VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#20899) (XD) - $25.00
  • CHÂTEAU DE SANCERRE SANCERRE 2020 - Sustainable, AC, Loire, France (#340893) (XD) - $29.95
  • MAX FERD. RICHTER ELISENBERGER RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2019 - Qualitätswein, Mosel, Germany (#25712) (S) - $29.95
  • ARGYROS ASSYRTIKO 2020 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $44.95

Rosé Wine:

  • FIELDING ROSÉ 2021 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#53421) (XD) - $17.95
  • RICASOLI ALBIA ROSÉ 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#556266) (XD) - $18.95
  • VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2021 - AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, France (#668426) (XD) - $20.95
  • DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL ROSÉ 2021 - AC, Rhône, France (#701318) (XD) - $20.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE SPARKLING ROSÉ - Salon de Provence, IGP Mediterranean, Provence, France (#515288) (D) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
  • GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ PINOT NOIR / CHARDONNAY - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#175588) (XD) - $22.95


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  • Date publishedTuesday, April 19, 2022

Feudo Maccari Noto Neré Nero d'Avola 2018 (Sicily) - Wine Review

red wine review is this lovely Nero d'Avola from Sicily that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Although the story of Feudo Maccari begins only in the late 1990's, the history of the vineyards go back much further in time. Founder Antonio Moretti Cuseri (of Tenuta Sette Ponti that crafted the lovely 2018 Crognolo I enjoyed last week) wanted a new oenological challenge and was fascinated by Val di Noto in southeastern Sicily after visiting the area in the late 90's. Starting in 2000, Antonio began acquiring land by units of "tumulo", an ancient Sicilian unit of measurement equal to 1,744 square metres, and acquired more than fifty properties.

Today, the Maccari estate covers 50 hectares of vines, with some more than 30 years old and located on mostly calcareous soils and different elevations to achieve overall balance in the wines. At the heart of the Maccari label is Nero d'Avola, a grape varietal that best expresses itself in this territory. Nero d'Avola is a varietal with ancient traditions and one of the most interesting of the Sicilian varieties. Among its expressive characteristics is its structure, richness, and roundness of its fruit, as well as its capability for lengthy cellaring. This particular Nero d'Avola underwent a controlled-temperature fermentation and maceration for about 15 days and was aged completely in stainless steel tanks. It was also aged for 4 months in bottle prior to release. Let's see how this unoaked Nero d'Avola from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Feudo Maccari Noto Neré Nero d'Avola 2018 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

FEUDO MACCARI NOTO NERÉ NERO D'AVOLA 2018 - DOP, Sicily, Italy (#339101) (XD) - $17.95
Aged in stainless steel tanks, followed by 4 months in bottle, this unoaked Nero d'Avola has a medium-high intensity nose that is quite attractive with aromas of sweet & ripe red berries, strawberry, baking spices, and sandalwood with touches of red plum. It's ripe and fruit forward on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with dried red berry, cherry, strawberry, sweet spice, sandalwood, and dried floral flavours, all supported by fresh, succulent acidity and soft, supple, lightly grippy tannins. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate with earthy, dried red berries & florals, and mineral notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Feudo Maccari are available at the LCBO and can also be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedThursday, October 28, 2021

October 30, 2021 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California + Sicily

LCBO Wine Picks: October 30 VINTAGES Release
The main theme of the October 30 LCBO VINTAGES Release is titled "California Classics", while the mini-theme takes a look at Signature wines from Sicily. All of these wines, plus those from the main release should be available on shelves across Ontario by Saturday.

We begin with the main theme on classic California wines. In total, there are thirteen wines featured as part of this theme, and three of these wines are included among my top wine picks. First up is a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley that actually includes 13% Merlot, plus some Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, while the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. The third wine is an always top-notch Chardonnay from Sonoma Mountain in southern Sonoma County. Lastly, although not part of the feature as it is listed as a Flagship Exclusive (FE), there is a lovely California Chardonnay from Napa Valley.

Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay 2019 (92 pts)

Only six wines are featured in the mini-theme on Signature wines from Sicily. However, the wines do provide a nice overview of the prominent varietals grown on the volcanic island of Sicily. Just one wine from this theme is on my recommended list - the latest vintage of a personal favourite that is made with the indigenous Carricante.

From my red wine recommendations, the Tarapacá is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Syrah, while the red from British Columbia is a Merlot-based blend. From France, the Ventoux is an unoaked blend of approx. 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, with trace amounts of Cinsault and Carignan, all raised in stainless steel and concrete tanks. From Bordeaux, the Fronsac is 100% Merlot, while the Bordeaux Supérieur is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec. The last blend is a red from Portugal that consists of traditional Portuguese varietals Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Barroca. Beyond the blends, there are a pair of lovely Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one from Argentina, the other from Australia - that would be interesting to taste side-by-side and compare. And lastly, the latest vintage of the excellent Pinot Noir from Chile is not be missed.

San Pedro 1865 Tayú Pinot Noir 2019 (92 pts)Crasto 2019 (89 pts)

Tarapacá Gran Reserva 145th Anniversary Special Edition 2019 (90 pts)Château Hauchat 2018 (90 pts)

Frind Big Red 2018 (89 pts)

Among my white wine picks, the only blend is a fine, locally made white wine crafted with 68% Marsanne and 32% Viognier from Niagara. For minimal-to-unoaked Chardonnay wine lovers, there is an unoaked Chardonnay from South Africa, and a minimally oaked Chardonnay from British Columbia for your pleasure. For sweet wine lovers, you'll want to pick up either (or both!) the Niagara Riesling or the lovely Gewurztraminer from Alsace.

Pierre Sparr Mambourg Gewurztraminer 2018 (91+ pts)Frind Chardonnay 2018 (91 pts)

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • EL ESTECO BLEND DE EXTREMOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#19237) (XD) - $16.95
  • CHÂTEAU HAUT CLARIBÈS 2018 - AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France (#21404) (XD) - $17.00
  • CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2018 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $17.95  90 pts  wine review
  • PESQUIÉ ÉDITION 1912M VENTOUX 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#636159) (XD) - $17.95
  • CRASTO 2019 - DOC Douro, Portugal (#81588) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • SAN PEDRO 1865 TAYÚ PINOT NOIR 2019 - Buchahueico, DO Valle del Malleco, Chile (#16628) (XD) - $19.95  92 pts  wine review
  • TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA 145TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION 2019 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#21966) (XD) - $20.95  90 pts  wine review
  • FRIND BIG RED 2018 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#19931) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
  • LARRY CHERUBINO PEDESTAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Margaret River, Western Australia (#20885) (XD) - $24.95
  • ROBERT YOUNG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#16404) (XD) - $59.95
  • ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA ROCCHE DELL'ANNUNZIATA BAROLO 2016 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#413484) (XD) - $59.95
  • GROTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA (#606517) (XD) - $119.95

White Wine:

  • NIETO SENETINER SEMILLON 2019 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#19399) (XD) - $15.95  90 pts  wine review
  • DE WETSHOF BON VALLON UNWOODED CHARDONNAY 2020 - WO Robertson, South Africa (#403675) (XD) - $19.95
  • MULLINEUX KLOOF STREET CHENIN BLANC 2020 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#21111) (XD) - $19.95
  • KEW MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2017 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#485334) (XD) - $19.95
  • TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING 2018 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
  • TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2019 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#577676) (XD) - $24.95
  • LETH RIED BRUNNTHAL 1ÖWT GRÜNER VELTLINER 2019 - Qualitätswein, Wagram, Niederösterreich, Austria (#12278) (XD) - $25.95
  • PIERRE SPARR MAMBOURG GEWURZTRAMINER 2018 - AC Alsace Grand Cru, France (#915157) (S) - $28.95  91+ pts  wine review
  • FRIND CHARDONNAY 2018 - BC VQA, British Columbia, Canada (#19930) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
  • CAKEBREAD CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2019 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#709717) (XD) - $69.95  FE  92 pts  wine review
  • KISTLER SONOMA MOUNTAIN CHARDONNAY 2019 - Sonoma County, California, USA (#183921) (XD) - $114.95

Nieto Senetiner Semillon 2019 (90 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

  • TRIUS BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING - Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#17690) (XD) - $29.95  90 pts  wine review
  • BOLL & CIE EXTRA BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE 2010 - AC, Champagne, France (#21979) (XD) - $127.95  FE

Trius Brut Rosé Sparkling (90 pts)

Dessert Wine:

  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#522672) (S) (200 mL) - $22.95
  • DE BORTOLI NOBLE ONE BOTRYTIS SEMILLON 2017 - New South Wales, Australia (#917252) (S) (375 mL) - $29.95  FE
  • INNISKILLIN SPARKLING VIDAL ICEWINE 2018 - Charmat method, VQA Ontario, Canada (#560367) (S) (375 mL) - $79.95


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  • Date publishedSunday, September 19, 2021

Great Italian Wines - Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties - Carricante & Nerello Mascalese

Great Italian Wines - Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties - Carricante & Nerello Mascalese
I had the pleasure of attending the fifth and final masterclass on "Great Italian Wines - Understanding Indigenous Grape Varieties" last evening. In this class, we ventured to the island of Sicily to discover Etna wines made with the indigenous varietals Carricante and Nerello Mascalese.

The wines from Mount Etna have garnered much international praise and recognition in recent years. Etna wines are recognized not only for their high quality, but also as one of the most important and fascinating winegrowing regions in Italy, and quite possibly the world.

Unlike previous masterclasses, joining us live from Etna (it was midnight over there!) for this masterclass were the producers of the wines we tasted. Ciro Biondi and his wife Stephanie from Azienda Agricola Biondi, and Alberto Graci of Azienda Agricola Graci were live on the Zoom call and told us a bit about their wines, philosophy, and about winegrowing on Etna.

The majestic Mount Etna is located in northeastern Sicily, near the city of Catania. Mount Etna is the highest and largest active volcano in Europe. In addition to being one of the world's biggest, Mount Etna is also considered the oldest volcano in the world and has been continuously growing for about 500,000 years, soaring to a height of 3,300 metres (10,800 feet) today with a base that spans 45 kilometres in diameter.

Although there are several wine regions on the island, we are only exploring the unique wines from the Etna DOC in this class. Established in 1968, the Etna DOC was the first DOC in Sicily. Today, there are 1,100 hectares of vines planted within the DOC, with much of it planted in terraced vineyards on steep slopes. The principal white wine varietal is Carricante, while the main red wine varietal is Nerello Mascalese. 55% of wines produced in the DOC are red, 31% are white wines, and the balance made up of Rosato and Spumante (i.e. sparkling wines).

Located just off the coast of Africa, Sicily and Etna experience long and hot African summers. However, because of the height of Mt. Etna, diurnal temperature variation between day and night in the vineyard can swing by as much as 30°C. Winegrowing on Etna occurs in a three-quarter ring from the northern end, around to the east, and down to the south. The eastern side of Etna receives cooling sea breezes from the Ionian sea. As a result of these unique climatic conditions, plus the rich volcanic soils that are constantly regenerated with with each volcanic eruption, there are many different volcanic terroirs which result in unique wines depending on where the grapes are grown. Much like the Cru system in Bordeaux or Burgundy, the growers on Etna have developed the Contrade system which names each of the unique plots of land. In all, there are currently 133 Contrade (i.e. named vineyards) on Etna and you will see its name on the label if it is a wine crafted using grapes from a specific Contrade.

Included along with my tasting kit was an antipasto platter with Grana Padano DOP and Pecorino Calabrese cheeses, as well as Caponata - a Sicilian dish consisting of eggplant seasoned with olive oil, tomato paste, celery, olives, capers, and pine nuts - that was made in-house at Spaccio, Terroni's central kitchen. There was also some Taralli with fennel adding a Sicilian twist to this toroidal Italian snack food.

Thank you to the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario Canada (ICCO Canada) for putting on an excellent series of True Italian Taste masterclasses this year, and to Cavinona for presenting the wines. For a limited time, you can use the special discount code ICCOETNA for 10% off any case purchase on Cavinona.com. I look forward to seeing what ICCO Canada has planned for 2022.

@trueitaliantaste #ExtraordinaryItalianTaste #TrueItalianTaste #iffoodcouldtalk

Tasting Notes:

BIONDI OUTIS ETNA BIANCO 2018 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (XD) - $48.45
A blend of 90% Carricante and 10% Catarrato / Minella from the southeast Comune of Trecastagni that was organically grown on sandy volcanic soils between 650 and 700 metres above sea level. Matured in stainless steel vats with 9 months on lees. The medium-high intensity nose is reductive with a mix of wet stone minerality, fresh lemon citrus, and nutty aromas. It's light-to-medium bodied with lovely lemon citrus, wet stone, and herbal flavours in a spicy profile on the palate, supported by fresh, lively acidity. Juicy, succulent, and crisp with lovely flavour replays joined by pear, stone fruit, and leesy mineral notes that linger on the long finish. Elegant, harmonious, and really nicely balanced with fine acidity bringing it all together. Score: 91+ pts

Biondi Outis Etna Bianco 2018 (91+ pts)

GRACI ETNA ROSSO 2018 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (XD) - $38.28
100% Nerello Mascalese from Passopisciaro in the northern Comune of Castiglione di Sicilia. It was organically grown on iron rich volcanic soils at an altitude of 600 to 700 metres above sea level. Aged for 18 months in mostly concrete vats and 20% in large oak tini. Sweet cinnamon spice and red fruited aromas of cran-cherry-raspberry and strawberry with a faint hint of smoky mineral rise out of the glass. It's medium+ bodied with fine-grained, supple tannins and lovely spice, cran-cherry, raspberry, and strawberry flavours with underlying savoury, mineral, and smoky characters. It has fresh, juicy acidity and a supple grip with cranberry and some bitterness, tobacco, and white pepper lingering on the long, smoky mineral finish. Score: 91 pts

Graci Etna Rosso 2018 (91 pts)


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  • Date publishedTuesday, April 13, 2021

Planeta Frappato Vittoria 2018 (Sicily) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely red wine made with the rare Frappato varietal from Sicily that arrived at the LCBO recently as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

With a heritage of seventeen generations, Planeta is one of Sicily's historic wine producers. The family has been involved with the course of agricultural evolution over five centuries in the complex land of Sicily, with an approach always inclined to openness and innovation. During the 1900's, Grandfather Vito led the path towards new solutions and new prospects. In Menfi, he transformed the small family winery into a large co-operative winery in a short period of time.

In 1985, they planted their first vines next to the fortress of Ulmo, eventually growing to 50 hectares of vines and created a wine in 1995 that opened doors to the whole world. This success led to further research of the indigenous varieties of Sicily. They travelled across the island, from Menfi to Vittoria to Noto to Etna, and finally to Capo Milazzowith with the idea of producing each wine in its own territory. In 1997, they planted their first vines at Vittoria, where this red wine is from. Today, two generations of the family - including brothers and sisters, children, nieces and nephews - work together with a vision of unity, a love for the land, and a desire to protect it by using a sustainable, long-term viticultural approach to winemaking.

Frappato is a red wine grape that is genetically close to Sangiovese and ten other Italian red wine varieties, suggesting that it is a cross between Sangiovese and another varietal. It is more commonly used in blends, can be found on its own as well. Frappato is primarily grown in Sicily, with the best expressions coming from the red sands of Vittoria (where this wine is from) in southern Sicily, not far from the sea.

The first vintage of this Frappato was 2013, and it hails from Planeta's Dorilli winery in Vittoria. This Frappato was cultivated from only a few hectares of their Mogli vineyard in the commune of Acate, within the province of Ragusa, that mainly consists of loose red sand with no stones, and a layer of tufa below that is important for the water balance of the vines. Being close to the sea, the vineyard is only 70 metres above sea level. Let's see how the lighter bodied Frappato is tasting tonight...

Planeta Frappato Vittoria 2018 (91 pts)

Tasting Note:

PLANETA FRAPPATO VITTORIA 2018 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95
100% Frappato that was raised entirely in stainless steel vats has a pretty, pale ruby colour. The medium-high intensity nose offers lovely red cherry and strawberry aromas alongside gentle spice, floral, and smoky notes. It is light-to-medium bodied on the palate with impressive concentration and structure. More red cherry, strawberry and white pepper spice with savoury undertones on the flavour profile. It has fresh acidity and light tannins that have a pleasant textural grip. Smoky and red berry notes linger on the long, chalky, and very satisfying finish. Must try! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from Planeta can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, April 15, 2020

April 18, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Organic, Biodynamic & Sustainable + Sicily & Sardinia

LCBO Wine Picks: April 18, 2020 VINTAGES Release
The main theme of the April 18, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Release focuses on Organic, Biodynamic, and Sustainable wines, while the mini-theme looks at wines from the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia. All of these wines should be on VINTAGES shelves at the top 51 stores only by Saturday, and with physical distancing measures in place for the foreseeable future you can expect to wait in long lines. To stay safe and save time, a better option might be to shop online from LCBO.com - the product code for each of my recommended wines below links directly to the LCBO website.

We begin with the main theme on eco-minded winemaking concepts to produce Organic, Biodynamic, and Sustainable wines. Organic wines use grapes grown without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers, and contain a very small amount of sulfites. Of the six organic wines featured, two are recommended - a Pinot Noir from New Zealand, and a Chardonnay from Niagara. Biodynamic wines are organic wines as they follow a similar approach. In a nut shell, biodynamics take care of the vineyard as a single organism, emphasizing biodiversity of the land and creatures on it. Astrological influences and lunar cycles also play a part in biodynamic winemaking. Of the six biodynamic wines, one is included among my wine recommendations - a lovely Napa Valley Chardonnay. Sustainable winemaking strives for economic viability and social responsibility in an ecologically responsible manner, often borrowing the practices for organic and biodynamic winemaking. From the six sustainable wines featured, two are included among my top wine picks - a Fumé Blanc that is a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc from Niagara, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa.

Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (89 pts)

From the mini-theme on wines from Sicily and Sardinia, there are six wines from Sicily and three from Sardinia, and just one from each region is included among my wine recommendations. From Sicily, there is an excellent Carricante from the northern slopes of Mount Etna. The lone wine from Sardinia is a Carignano (Carignan) that was grown at the southern end of the island.

Tornatore Etna Bianco 2018 (90+ pts)

Red wines from the main release include a pair of Rioja wines - at the low end is the Crianza that consists of 85% Tempranillo snf 15% Garnacha / Mazuelo, while at the high end is a Reserva that is made with 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Graciano / Mazuelo. Also from Spain, the Priorat is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Cariñena, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. From Italy, the Riserva Chianti Classico is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot, while the Côtes du Rhône from France consists of about 50% Grenache, and Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise to complete the blend. Single varietal wines include a Pinot Noir and a Shiraz from Australia, while the Barolo is, of course, made with Nebbiolo.

Giant Steps Pinot Noir 2018 (91 pts)Penny's Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2016 (90 pts)

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the Release, all are single varietal wines. From Loire, the Savennières is made with Chenin Blanc, while the Valdeorras is from northwestern Spain, a place known for producing fine wines made from the Godello varietal. For those that prefer sweeter wines, the off-dry Riesling from Niagara is your best bet.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Stay home and stay safe!

Red Wine:

  • CVNE CUNE CRIANZA 2016 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#39925) (XD) - $15.95
  • CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#216309) (D) - $18.95
  • CHÂTEAU DE MONTFAUCON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2016 - AP, France (#13439) (XD) - $18.95
  • SARDUS PATER IS SOLUS CARIGNANO DEL SULCIS 2017 - DOC, Sardinia, Italy (#13452) (XD) - $19.95
  • MOMO ORGANIC PINOT NOIR 2018 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#163972) (XD) - $19.95
  • PENNY'S HILL CRACKING BLACK SHIRAZ 2016 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#396473) (XD) - $22.95  90 pts  wine review
  • MAIUS ASSEMBLAGE 2017 - DOQ Priorat, Spain (#13745) (XD) - $23.95
  • SIMONSIG LABYRINTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#744375) (XD) - $24.95  89 pts  wine review
  • GIANT STEPS PINOT NOIR 2018 - Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia (#219725) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
  • R. LOPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA 2007 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#356337) (XD) - $59.95
  • PECCHENINO SAN GIUSEPPE BAROLO 2015 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#181396) (XD) - $65.95

White Wine:

  • LYRARAKIS VÓILA ASSYRTIKO 2018 - Vegan, PGI Crete, Greece (#14420) (XD) - $16.95
  • FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 -VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#89011) (XD) - $17.95
  • LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIOGNIER 2017 - Lake Lodge Farms, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#646307) (D) - $19.95
  • CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2017 - Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#256552) (XD) - $19.95
  • ORGANIZED CRIME WILD FERMENT RIESLING 2017 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#11952) (D) - $21.20
  • TORNATORE ETNA BIANCO 2018 - DOC, Sicily, Italy (#577676) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • A COROA GODELLO 2018 - DO Valdeorras, Spain (#13746) (XD) - $24.95  FE
  • DOMAINE DU PETIT MÉTRIS CLOS DE LA MARCHE SAVENNIÈRES 2017 - AC, Loire, France (#250571) (XD) - $26.95  FE
  • HIDDEN BENCH FUMÉ BLANC 2018 - Rosomel Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#68825) (XD) - $29.95
  • GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2016 - Made with organic grapes, Napa Valley, California, USA (#346304) (XD) - $67.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • CÀ DI RAJO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO - DOC Treviso, Italy (#13830) (XD) - $16.95


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  • Date publishedSunday, July 14, 2019

Planeta Rosé 2018 (Sicily) - Wine Review

wine review is a nice, dry rosé wine from Sicily that will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on .

Planeta Winery is one of the premier wine estates of Sicily and a veritable fine wine empire. The company has vineyards and estates all over the island of Sicily including the Ulmo Contrada and vineyards in Sambuca di Sicilia where you can find their first winemaking facility and beautiful ancestral family home, located on the Arancio Lake; the Dispensa vineyard in Menfi, where they also make high-end olive oils at the nearby Capparina mill; the lovely Dorilli estate in Vittoria in southern Sicily; the Buonvini vineyards and underground winery near the Baroque town of Noto in southeastern Sicily; the Sciaranuova vineyard and estate located in the exciting fine wine region of volcanic Mount Etna; and their newest and smallest estate is the Capo Milazzo winery located in northeastern Sicily.

This rosé comes from their Dispensa Vineyard within the Menfi (Agrigento) district on the western part of the island. Menfi is where is the history of the family and their business began. The family planted their first vines on the Ulmo estate, a few metres from Lake Arancio and the 16th century farmhouse which has been in the family for 17 generations. The family houses all reside within the area in Baglio, as well as their library which holds hundreds of Italian and foreign books from 1700 to the present day, all dedicated to vines and wine. It is also in Menfi where you can find the remains of an ancient Phoenician wine press.

The soils in Menfi are moderately limey with mixed yellow and grey chalk, moderately fine textured, and a few stones present. It was vinified by destalking and sent to soft pressing for a brief maceration of 1-2 hours to achieve a perfect extraction of colour. After must was obtained, it was decanted, then transferred and fermented at 15°C in stainless steel vats.

Planeta Rosé 2018 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

PLANETA ROSÉ 2018 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#111856) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. Equal parts Nero d’Avola and Syrah. Fresh, medium intensity nose offers floral, orange blossom, melon, ripe berry, herbal notes and some minerality. It is medium-bodied and dry with saline minerality, citrus, melon, strawberry and herbal flavours that are supported by crisp, vibrant acidity that is ideal for food pairing. More saline mineral and melon notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts


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  • Date publishedWednesday, May 24, 2017

Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release May 27, 2017: Southern Italy + Santa Barbara

LCBO Wine Picks from May 27, 2017 VINTAGES Release
The upcoming LCBO VINTAGES Release features wines from 5 sunny Southern Italy hot spots in its main theme, while the mini-theme focuses on wines from Santa Barbara. Wines from this release will be on shelves at LCBO outlets across Ontario this .

We'll begin my top wine picks from this release with the focus on southern Italy because nothing from Santa Barbara made the cut. The hot and sunny wine regions of Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Sicily, and Sardinia are featured, with a total of 12 wines listed and only 2 are included among my top wine picks. From the island of Sicily, there is a nice Grillo, one of the key white wine grapes on the island. One of the major grapes in Campania is Aglianico, and there is a nice little wine for $14 in this release. The last wine from Southern Italy is a Chardonnay from Puglia, and is actually listed near the back the VINTAGES Magazine as a Flagship Store Exclusive (FSE) - with limited availability.

From the rest of the release, the Domaine Guisset is a spicy blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache, while the Black Rock from South Africa is 68% Syrah that was co-fermented with other Rhône varieties to produce this multi-varietal blend. The latest vintage of the Emiliana Coyam is organic & biodynamic and consists of 48% Syrah, 24% Carmenere, 11% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Mourvedre, 3% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. The pair of big Cabernet Sauvignon wines from California are also blends, with the Chateau Montelena including 1.5% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petit Verdot, while the La Jota includes one quarter other grapes - 10.5% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec.

Emiliana Coyam 2013 (90+ pts)

My white wine recommendations from this release consist of either Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Riesling. As is quite common, Riesling can be produced in styles ranging from bone dry to very sweet. From this release, the Pearl Morissette Riesling is bone dry, while the Hidden Bench Riesling will have a kiss of sweetness to it, and the Waimea Riesling is off-dry (i.e. slight sweet).

Among my sparkling wine picks, the Cava is a blend of Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo, while the vintage Champagne is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 10% Pinot Meunier.

Enjoy my top wine picks from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • CAMPOREALE AGLIANICO 2015 - IGP Campania, Italy (#475251) (XD) - $13.95
  • DOMAINE GUISSET 2014 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, France (#480863) (XD) - $15.95
  • CHILCAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014 - Lolol, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#486050) (XD) - $18.95
  • FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA MALBEC 2014 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261867) (XD) - $18.95
  • CONO SUR SINGLE VINEYARD EL RECURSO BLOCK 18 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 - Maipo Valley, Chile (#439364) (D) - $19.95
  • EMILIANA COYAM 2013 - Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley, Chile (#063891) (XD) - $29.95  reviewed here
  • RADFORD DALE BLACK ROCK 2013 - WO Swartland, South Africa (#485490) (XD) - $29.95
  • COSTA DI BUSSIA CAMPO DEI BUOI BAROLO 2010 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#475277) (XD) - $47.95
  • BACHELDER LA PETITE CHARMOTTE NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES 2011 - AC, Burgundy, France (#357228) (XD) - $49.95  FSE
  • CHATEAU MONTELENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA (#718452) (XD) - $74.95
  • KISTLER PINOT NOIR 2014 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#377259) (XD) - $109.95  FSE
  • LA JOTA HOWELL MOUNTAIN ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#659755) (XD) - $110.95  FSE

White Wine:

  • FEUDO MACCARI GRILLO 2015 - IGT Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy (#477877) (XD) - $14.95
  • RIVERA PRELUDIO NO. 1 CHARDONNAY 2015 - DOC Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy (#177303) (XD) - $16.00  FSE
  • MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ RESERVA ESPECIAL CHARDONNAY 2015 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#143768) (XD) - $18.95
  • WAIMEA CLASSIC RIESLING 2016 - Nelson, South Island, New Zealand (#408666) (D) - $18.95
  • PAUL CLUVER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - WO Elgin, South Africa (#483743) (XD) - $19.95
  • HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2015 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (D) - $23.95
  • CLOS HENRI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#675629) (XD) - $29.95
  • PEARL MORISSETTE CUVÉE BLACK BALL RIESLING 2014 - Product of Canada (#416073) (XD) - $36.20  FSE
  • DOMAINE BILLAUD-SIMON LES VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2014 - AC, Burgundy, France (#330175) (XD) - $39.95  FSE
  • KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2015 - Sonoma Coast, California, USA (#251223) (XD) - $99.95

Sparkling Wine:

  • CYGNUS ORGANIC BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA - Méthode champenoise, DO Penedès, Spain (#352856) (XD) - $16.95
  • ANDRÉ ET MICHEL DRAPPIER PINOT NOIR BRUT NATURE CHAMPAGNE - Zero dosage, AC, France (#179275) (XD) - $58.95
  • BEAUMONT DES CRAYERES FLEUR DE PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE 2006 - AC, France (#483099) (D) - $68.95

Fortified:

  • FONSECA LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2011 - Unfiltered, DOP, Portugal (#087551) (S) - $22.95


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