Giusti Wine Sparkles From Veneto to Vancouver

Joe Giusti
Joe Giusti

I must say that Giusti has an outstanding collection of wines from Italy that we are fortunate to be able to purchase and enjoy here in BC.  That is in part because the owner, Mr. Ermenegildo “Joe” Giusti, born and raised in Italy, moved to Vancouver, where he became a very successful businessman in the construction industry.  With this wealth, he wanted to show his passion of Italian wine; he did so by purchasing many vineyards in the Veneto region of Italy, and I believe is now the largest private single vineyard owner in Veneto.  Valpolicella and Prosecco are the classic wines from Veneto; and are top-notch from Mr. Giusti.  Below are a few of the wines that I highly recommend from Giusti Wine.

All the wines are SPEC, so you would need to go through a private wine shop to purchase any of these bottles, BUT it is well worth the effort!  I did a quick check and did find many of Giusti’s wines at Everything Wine along with prices.  I’d suggest that these are truly fine wines to celebrate with over the holidays. Cin cin.

Giusti’s Proseccos

Giusti Asolo Prosecco DOCG Brut NV – This bubble has a mixed light floral and stone fruit nose.  Dry, with high acidity.  Small creamy bubble.  Fresh stone fruit, mineral, and creamy bubble on the palate followed by some toastiness.  An excellent wine. Rating: 4.5 stars5 stars

Giusti Asolo Prosecco DOCG Extra Dry NV – While the Brut contains 5 grams of residual sugar, the Extra dry has 10 grams.  That being said, the wine still feels quite dry, but you do get a hint of sweetness.  This wine has a very light stone fruit nose.  Medium plus acidity.  Very tiny, biting bubble. Tart red apples followed by stone fruit flavours.  Rating: 4.5 stars

Giusti Cuvee NV – Very nice stone fruit and light toast on the nose.  Small biting bubble that later turns creamy.  Tart apples followed by stone fruit and a hint of oak.  Dry with medium body.  Very classy. Rating: 4.5 stars

Giusti Rosalia Prosecco DOC NV – This is Giusti’s entry-level Prosecco and is a very popular sip under $20.  It has light toast and fresh stone fruit aromas.  High acidity, off dry with a mix of small, biting and creamy bubble.  Slightly sweet, with stone fruit flavour and a hint of minerality. Rating: 4 stars

Giusti Asolo Prosecco Brut, Extra Dry, Cuvee, and Rosalia sparkling wines
Giusti Asolo Prosecco Brut, Extra Dry, Cuvee, and Rosalia sparkling wines

Giusti’s Valpolicella and Veneto Rosso

Giusti Antonio 2014 – Beautiful ripe red fruit with a cedar oak nose.  Dry, fuller bodied with medium plus tannins.  Red fruits, in particular raspberry fruit flavour and Old World oak.  When I mention Old World oak, it is a very particular smell; to me it is a mix of oak and cedar, sometimes with a hint of vanilla.  A very good wine. Rating: 4.5 stars

Giusti Umberto 1 2008 – This wine is made with the best Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes coming from vineyards located in the Veneto region according to Giusti. A very nice sweet, ripe dark fruit  and sweet spice nose.  Also hints of red fruit and floral.  Full body, round and dry, with a medium mouth feel.  Ripe juicy cherries and sweet spices.  Fresh fruit considering this wine has already 8 years of bottle aging.  A hint of capsicum along with a peppery finish.  Rating: 5 stars

Giusti Augusto Recantina 2014 – A wine made with an indigenous grape I had not heard of before; Recantina.  This grape is only covers 3 ha in Veneto, and 6 ha in Calabria. Nowhere else in the world!  Nice aromatic, sweet raspberries and tart red cherries; overall sweet fruit nose.  Medium plus body, off-dry with ripe red fruit flavour, Old world oak, pepper, and red apples. Rating: 4.5 stars

Giusti Amarone 1.5 L 2010 – Red apples, vanilla and red cherry aromas in the glass. Full body, round, peppery as well as sweet spices, ripe red fruit and red apples on the palate.   Rating: 4.5 stars

Giusti Valpolicella Ripasso DOC 2012 – Dark ripe fruit and Old World oak nose.  Fine tannins, with bitter dark chocolate, a mix of red and black fruit, and a hint of capsicum.  Quite peppery.  Dry, medium body with light mouth feel. Finishes with fruit and pepper.  I would have loved this wine a little more if the tannins were a bit firmer. Rating: 4 stars

Giusti Augusto Recantina, Umberto I, Antonio, Valpolicella Ripasso, and Amarone della Valpolicella wines
Giusti Augusto Recantina, Umberto I, Antonio, Valpolicella Ripasso, and Amarone della Valpolicella wines

I did make a short video with Mr. Giusti a few years ago.  I put the link here to hear about Joe’s passion for wine.

Author: mywinepal
Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings, restaurant reviews, and world travel. Enjoy life with me. MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.