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 more. The wines that I have chosen for you are my best of the best. Many are available in Vancouver. Ciao!
White and Sparkling Wine
Argiolas Costamolino, Vermentino di Sardegna D.O.C. 2016 – Nice fresh mix of stone fruit and tropical fruit aromas, which continue to the palate. Medium acidity. Slightly off-dry. An easy sipper. 
Carpene Malvolti 1868 Extra Dry – Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. – This sparkling wine has a very light intensity nose with stone fruit and flower aromas. Higher acidity and slightly off-dry, with light citrus flavour and fine creamy bubble. A nice sip. 
Carpene Malvolti 1868 Cartizze – Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze D.O.C.G. – Cartizze is a special area within the DOCG and is said to produce the best quality Prosecco. Think “Grand Cru”. Melon and stone fruits on the nose. Quite a bit of bubble forming ahead in the glass when poured. Off-dry with a very creamy, small bubble. Medium citrus and green fruit flavours. An excellent sip.
Mastroberardino 1878 Radici Fiano di Avellino D.O.C.G. 2016 – Made from the Fiano grape, this wine has a light, fresh stone fruit nose, with a hint of oak. Silky soft, with medium acidity and some minerality. Stone fruit flavours with light oak later. Nice.
Michele Chiarlo Niole, Moscato d’Asti D.O.C.G. 2016 – For those of you who prefer a sweeter wine, this wine is for you. It has lots of orange and lychee on the nose. Medium sweetness and body. A good acid to sugar balance. Orange flavour up front, followed by peaches, then apricots to finish. Yummy.
Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore D.O.C. 2016 – A light mix of lemon and stone fruit with some chalkiness as well on the nose. Lighter bodied but round in the mouth. Light citrus and stone fruit flavorful, with a hint of oak, and slightly bitter on the finish.
Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore D.O.C. 2015 – This is the same wine as the one above, but it comes from old vines. This wine has a light stone fruit nose. It round with a thicker, viscous mouth feel. Dry with medium acidity. Light stone fruit, oak and a hint of minerality on the palate.
Red Wine
Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G. 2014 – I was told once that this is the house wine for the Antinori family. It certainly is a nice wine to drink every day. The wine has ripe red fruits and cedar aromas. Fuller bodied, round and mouth filling. Flavours of raspberries and other red fruits, along with cedar. Young and fruity. Medium tannins.
Marchese Antinori Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione D.O.C.G. 2012 – This wine has a slightly nicer nose than the above wine, with ripe cherries, plums and vanilla. Full bodied, round with medium acid and fine tannins. Raspberries, red fruits and light oak flavours.
Marchese Antinori Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri D.O.C. Superiore 2014 – One of my favourite red wines of this tasting. This wine has a medium intensity nose with aromas of nutmeg, cherries, plums, and other sweet spices. Medium plus body, round and dry. Red fruits and vanilla. A buttery texture in the mouth. Fine tannins. A unique wine.
Argiolas Turriga, Isola dei Nuraghi I.G.T. 2013 – Nutmeg and ripe dark fruit nose. Full bodied, round and dry, with fine tannins. Ripe red fruit and allspice. Good quality.
Masi Agricola Costasera, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G. 2012 – Light intensity dark fruit and chocolate aromas. Fuller body, round, with rich, dark chocolate and black cherry flavours, along with light sweet spices. Medium acidity and fine tannins. Super tasty. 
Mastroberardino 1878 Radici Taurasi D.O.C.G. 2013 – This is an interesting wine. Not what I expected, but that can make a wine exciting to try. This wine has a sour cherry nose, which continues to the palate, along with vanilla and sweet red cherries. Dry, lighter bodied with medium tannins.
Pio Cesare Barolo D.O.C.G. 2013 – Nice red cherry aroma in the glass. Round and smooth, with flavours of red cherries and vanilla. Light tannins.
Rivera Il Falcone, Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva D.O.C.G. 2011 – Nice nose with an Old World style oak aroma, along with ripe red fruits. Round, medium plus body with firm tannins. Quite fruity, with a mix of red fruits, McIntosh apple and a hint of capsicum. Very tasty and easy to drink.
Tasca Regaleali Nero d’Avola, Sicilia D.O.C. 2015 – This wine had some barnyard and ripe red fruit nose. It’s off-dry with medium plus body. Again a hint of barnyard on the palate, along with ripe red fruit. A fun wine to drink.
Tasca Rosse del Conte, Contea di Sciafani D.O.C. 2013 – Light cherries and dark fruit aromas. Medium body, dry with medium tannins. Red cherry fruit on the palate, and then gets spicy later on.
Umani Ronchi Fonte del Re, Lacrima di Morro d’Alba D.O.C. 2016 – A wine I really enjoyed and pointed out to other attendees to try. Lacrima is an indigenous red grape, and is the Italian word for “tear”. This grape I was told was given this name as its skin is very thin and fragile and if you hold it the juice from the grape will seep out in tears. This wine was very floral and as well had raspberry aromas. Its dry, medium bodied with a light mouth feel. Floral, light spices, lychee, red apples and red fruit on the palate. A delight to drink!
