Category: Chianti Classico

Here are two big red wines.  One from a grape you may not know too well, Tannat, and the other wine is a Chianti Classico, but at the top tier, Gran Selezione.  The Tannat wine comes from Argentina, which is uncommon, as Argentina is best known for Malbec.  But this Tannat shows that it also does well in Argentina.  Let…

I and other Trade individuals were invited to Discover Extraordinary Italian Wines.  Some of the wineries at the event were searching for local representation, while other wineries already have an agent and their wines are in BC Liquor stores or private wine shops and restaurants.  I’ve put a “*” beside those wineries that have local representation, so you should be…

While Italy has been known to produce robust, hearty reds, many of the country’s greatest wines offer a lighter touch without sacrificing flavour. This seminar, “Italy’s Lightness of Being”, led by Filippo Bartolotta and Michaela Morris, took us through sparkling wines, white wines with texture, and much more.  Winery principals, Fabio Bosio, Tommaso Chiarli, Daniel Grace, Stefano Inama, Nicola Mazzella,…

Although Italy contributes approximately 20% of the world’s wine, it remains a relative mystery to many people, due to unfamiliar grape varieties and wine region names.  Wine journalist and educator Filippo Bartolotta led us exploring the rich history, modern innovation, and the renaissance of Italian classic wine styles shaping the current identity of this historical wine region.  The winery principals…

I was invited to sit down with Mr. Beppe d’Andrea, Ruffino‘s Senior Global Brand Ambassador, to taste a selection of their wines and talk about the winery and other wine topics while Beppe was attending VanWineFest 2024. In 1987, Beppe began his career with Ruffino and has never looked back. Initially working in the vineyards, he soon joined the winemaking…

For VanWineFest 2024, I joined Barone Francesco Ricasoli from Tuscany for an unforgettable dinner featuring his Chianti Classico wines paired with traditional Tuscan fare prepared by the culinary team at Italian Kitchen.  The Barone provided us with background to his family winery as well as information about each wine.  He is the 32nd Barone of the family, living in the…

On Friday during VanWineFest 2024, I spent my time in the International Festival Tasting Room, primarily tasting Italian red wines.  There was a great variety of wines from across the country and while I attempted to visit every table, that was an impossible task.  Here are the wines that I quite enjoyed.  If there are red wines you tasted at…

My first winery dinner for VanWineFest 2024 was the Tuscan winery, Marchesi Frescobaldi.  This winery has extensive vineyard holdings across Tuscany and into Montalcino.  The Frescobaldi family has been making wine dating back 700 years and spanning over 30 generations. Today the Frescobaldi family owns 11 estates in Italy including 10 in Tuscany and distribute their wines in over 65…

There will be several wineries from the Chianti Classico region attending VanWineFest 2024.  What do you know about this style of wine?  I have some background information for you, followed by a list of wineries from the region that you can visit at the International Festival Tasting Room.  Cin cin. About Chianti Classico Wines Nestled in the heart of Tuscany,…

If you are a lover of French and Italian wines, then you should love the portfolio of wines from Galileo Wine & Spirits. There were so many excellent wines to choose from. Here are a few of the wines that I really appreciated.  My Wine Tasting Notes Chateau de Fuisse Macon-Village 2022, France – A medium lemon colour.  Fresh, medium-intensity…