Last week there was the Taste of Italy celebration held at the Vancouver Lookout downtown. Wine and Italian cheese, prosciutto, chocolates, and more were there to sample. Here are ten wines that I quite enjoyed at the Taste of Italy. Some of these wines are currently available in BC. I marked those wines with a “*”. The wines without the * are looking for representation. If you work at a wine agency, you may want to consider picking up one of the wineries for your portfolio.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Vite Colte Masseria dei Carmelitani GAVI 2022 – a pale lemon colour with a light, sweet stone fruit nose. Dry, soft and smooth mouthfeel. Tropical fruit, stone fruit, and spearmint flavours. Some tartness and bitterness on the finish. A nice sipper. 
Casale del Giglio Bellone 2021 * – light lemon colour. Honey and stone fruit on the nose. Dry, medium body, soft and semi-round. Stone fruits and some citrus rind and minerality. Medium-plus length.
Casale del Giglio Petit Manseng 2021 * – a medium lemon colour. A light, bright stone fruit nose. Spearmint and stone fruit flavours. Medium-minus body, soft with a slightly thick mouthfeel. Lower acidity. A touch of bitterness on the finish.
Colognola Via Condotto Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore – Medium-plus lemon colour. It has light aromas of flint, stone fruits and apples. Light body with medium-plus acidity. Flint, apple and roasted apple flavours. Some tartness toward the finish. A medium length. A wine with a bit of complexity.
Baglio di Pianetto Insolia Sicilia DOC 2021 – an organic wine. A medium-intensity bright lemon colour. Light ripe stone fruit aromas. Off-dry, smooth with a lean mouthfeel. Light acidic prickle on the tongue. Ripe stone fruits with some bitterness and pepper on the finish. Medium-plus length.
Fantini Pinot Grigio 2021 * – a deeper lemon colour. Light intensity green fruit nose. Dry, medium-plus body with tart citrus and stone fruit flavours plus some toastiness. Fuller mouthfeel. A fun wine.
Mare Magnum Crudo Cattaratto Zibibbo 2021 * – Cattaratto Zibibbo is a white indigenous grape to Italy. This wine has a light lemon colour. Light mint, white flowers and citrus aromas. Off-dry, smooth with a thicker mouthfeel. Low acidity. Touches of orange, petrol and citrus pith on the palate. Medium length.
Patrizia Cencioni Brunello di Montalcino 2017 – A medium garnet colour with a touch of bricking. Medium-intensity nose with a mix of cedar, dill and red fruit aromas. Medium-plus body, round and soft with a fuller mouthfeel. Cedar, vanilla, red fruits and red cherries on the palate. Medium tannins and acidity.
Vite Colte La Luna E I Falo Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2020 – medium-minus intenstiy clear garnet. A nice red berry fruit nose. Medium body, lightly round with a light mouthfeel. Medium-intensity flavours of red fruits and red berries. Medium acidity and tannins. A quality wine.
Montresor Amarone della Valpolicella D.O.C.G. – Medium garnet colour. Medium-intensity ripe red fruit and red cherry aromas. Capsicum, red fruit, red cherries, candied red cherries, and touches of sweet spices and black pepper on the palate. Dry with a lighter body. Some bitterness on the finish.
Thank you to the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West for inviting me to this event.