Category: Chianti

Did you know that Barone Ricasoli is the oldest winery in Italy and the second oldest winery in the world?  Did you also know that Baron Bettino Ricasoli invented the Chianti blend in 1872?  So much history at one winery, and we were lucky to have Barone Francesco Ricasoli to be in Vancouver to lead me and other wine trade people…

Last week was the first IVSA event for the wine, beer, and spirits trades people to find out about the newest bottles to arrive in BC.  Here are 12 different wines from around the world that I thought were quite good.  Enjoy them in 2018! White Wines Saget La Perrière M de Mulonniere Anjou Chenin Blanc, 2016, Lore Valley, France –…

As I mentioned in my previous article on my top rated white, sparkling, and fortified wines for 2017, there were so many excellent wines that I tasted this year.  As I review the red wines that I’ve listed below, there are many wines from Italy, in part due to the many visits by Italian wineries to Vancouver this year.  From…

The holiday season is coming up quickly and if you are wondering what to do for your office or party with friends, how about have a wine tasting?  Sounds fun, but how do I pick the wines?  Well, I’ve taken care of that for you, with a sample of wines that you can purchase through the BC Liquor Stores.  I’ve…

Italy has been making a big push into Vancouver, and Canada, over the past few years.  Over the past 2 weeks, there have been 3 different Italian wine delegations come to Vancouver to show us their wines.  In some cases the wineries already have representation, but there are many other wineries that are looking for representation.  So this article is…

I’d say that this is a top drop event, with wines from Italy only.  The Grandi Marchi, is a collaboration of winemakers across Italy supporting the best qualities and distinct wine making culture of Italy.  All the wineries are family-owned, have been in operation for at least 25 years (some for centuries), own their estate vineyards, are innovators, and much…

Here are three wines from three different regions of the Old World.  All really well made.  I received these wines as a part of the portfolio selection from one of our local wine agencies, Patagonia Imports. When most people think of Old World Wines, they tend to think of drier, less fruit forward, more tannic, structured wines, but this is…

Chinese New Year Day of the Rooster is on January 28, 2017. It is also known as the Female Fire Chicken year. Red is connected to the fire in Chinese tradition.  According to chinesefortunecalendar.com, “…Chicken is a Female Metal. Female Metal is related to gold, precious gem or jewelry. That means Chicken implies luxury, beauty, and wealth. Red Fire of 2017 is…

A wine agent’s portfolio tasting typically gives you the chance to try both listed as well as spec wines; wines that may only show up in specialty wine shops or restaurants, in limited quantities.  I have been to Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits‘ portfolio tasting now for a few years, and I am always very impressed by the wineries that…

How many wine regions are there in Italy?  You can probably think of Tuscany, Piemonte, and Veneto, but there are many more.  In total, Italy has 20 wine regions.  These regions are (from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_wine): Aosta Valley Piemonte Liguria Lombardia Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol Friuli-Venezia Giulia Veneto Emilia-Romagna Toscana Marche Umbria Lazio Sardinia Abruzzo Molise Campania Basilicata Puglia Calabria Sicily These regions are…