One of the great pleasures of wine exploration is not just in encountering something new, but something special.  Italy is full of something new.  An adventurous consumer can find dozens of new grape varieties to explore:  red and white; fat and thin; rich and lean.  However, it is not often that you are introduced to a wine that is at once both special and new.  Gaglioppo is one such wine – that rare combination of unique and profound. Gaglioppo finds it’s home in Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot.  This area is hot and dry and quite mountainous but is ideally suited to grape growing.  Most red wine grapes would be too easily cooked by the climate, producing wines that taste stewed and raisiny.  This region requires a unique variety to handle the heat, offer structure, and provide non-fruit flavours to make sure the fruit character isn’t over the top.  It turns out that Gaglioppo is that grape, much in the same way that Mourvedre finds its spiritual home in Bandol, near the sea, withstanding the heat while steadfastly refusing to produce stewy wines. On offer this week is the 2013 iGreco Catà Gaglioppo.  I first tasted this wine when my associates brought a bottle back from their visit to VinItaly (the second largest wine trade show in the world held every April in Verona).  I was immediately smitten – my wife and I have just started our third case which qualifies as my ringing endorsement for this wine! The 2013 iGreco Catà Gaglioppo is available for immediate delivery.  Please call 416-463-4677 or email. This wine is perfect for everyday drinking and holiday entertaining.  I hope that you enjoy this discovery as much as I have. 2013 iGreco Catà Gaglioppo $20.80 btl / $249.60 cs  (case of 12 x 750ml)A fleshier, silkier example of the usually heavy Gaglioppo variety, Catà is the perfect introduction to Calabrian wines. Six months in barrique gives a velvety roundness to the wine and a burst of spicy red fruits and chocolate notes come through on the palate and linger on the finish.  Incredible value! Drink:  Now – 2020+ Food Pairing:  Grilled meats, lamb in particular, grilled vegetables and stone fired flat breads and sheep’s milk cheeses

Franciacorta may not have the name recognition (and sales) of Prosecco, but Italy’s Franciacorta region produces her finest sparkling wines, comparable in quality to many Champagnes, and leagues ahead of Prosecco. Franciacorta is made using the methode champenoise and employs the same grape varieties used in Champagne, in contrast to Prosecco, which is made using Italian grapes and the less expensive Charmat process.  It is a relatively young sparkling producing area – the first bottling of Franciacorta was only in 1957 – and relatively small with just 106 producers.  The international visibility of Franciacorta is limited by the wine’s popularity in Italy, leaving little for the rest of the world.  However, some 20 producers now export Franciacorta giving those living outside Italy the opportunity to experience this delicious sparkling wine. Majolini Winery is located in Ome, a unique place in Franciacorta.  Today, they produce about 180,000 bottles annually, making them a mid-sized producer of this magical wine.  Majolini has about 22 hectares under vine, composed of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero for the production of Franciacorta, and Cabernet and Merlot for the production of their still red wine called Curtefranca.  The vineyards are quite unique with small plots distributed around the winery. The Majolini family has been associated with wine in Franciacorta since the fifteenth century – a native red grape variety called majolina (recently recognized as an indigenous variety) bears witness to this historical past..  In 2011, Majolini celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of their restored facility.  The winery was built on the high hilly area of Valle in Ome in a very panoramic location.  It was modeled after existing structures on the property so as to fit harmoniously into the landscape and utilized a local white limestone (known as medolo).  This same limestone gives minerality and structure to the Franciacorta wines produced here. On offer this week is the 2007 Majolini Franciacorta Millesimato Electo. This is a wonderful alternative to Champagne and perfect to celebrate the upcoming holiday season and, of course as the wine of choice for New Year’s Eve!  This wine has developed an appealing character with many years in the bottle but retains it’s liveliness. The 2007 Majolini Franciacorta Millesimato Electo is available for immediate delivery.   To order, simply e-mail or call 416-463-4677. 2007 Majolini Franciacorta Millesimato Electo $49.95 btl / $299.70 cs  (case of 6 x 750ml)Fine, persistent bead.  The wine is dry and full-bodied, yet elegant and refined. Initial aromas of pear, apple, custard, wild berries and brioche. With time the brioche flavours become more pronounced and white chocolate notes begin to appear.  Clean lingering finish. Drink:  Now – 2020+ Food Pairing:  Excellent as an aperitif with hard cheeses and salumi and for consuming while singing Auld Lang Syne… Accolades: Commended – Decanter World Wine Awards (Awarded in 2016)

The wines from Chianti Rufina are very different from those of Chianti Classico, the best known subregion of Chianti (whose wines are easily identified by the black rooster logo on the neck label).  A cooler climate – Rufina is further north and east compared to Chianti Classico – explains, in part, why the wines from the two areas are so different, the wines of Rufina marked by an elegance and austerity that complements their black cherry fruitiness. An overview helps put Chianti Rufina into perspective.  It is the smallest of the eight subzones of Chianti, a vast area in the middle of Tuscany, and accounts for only about three percent of the region’s production.  In comparison, Chianti Classico, the area located in the hills between Florence and Siena, produces ten times the amount of wine. As in the rest of the greater Chianti area and its eight subzones, Sangiovese is the primary grape used to make the wines here.  Some producers blend other indigenous varieties such as Colorino, Canaiolo or Ciliegiolo while others use small amounts of Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.  Though the grapes may be the same, the wines from Chianti Rufina are typically less ripe and powerful compared to those from Chianti Classico because of the cooler climate.  The resulting wines often convey an herbal or mineral quality that balances the pronounced fruitiness.  The cooler growing conditions allow the Tuscan acidity to shine, providing a mouth-watering character to the wines.  As in Chianti Classico, winemaking practices in Chianti Rufina vary, with some producers aging their wines in French barriques, while others use more traditional large barrels. The spectrum of wines from Chianti Rufina varies enormously, from those that provide immediate enjoyment to Riservas that typically require several years of bottle aging.  Indeed, Riservas from the top producers can develop brilliantly with bottle age. On offer this week is one such wine:  the 2011 Colognole Riserva del Don Chianti Rufina.  Vintage conditions in Chianti in 2011 were quite variable. Early Spring rains were followed by a cool summer until mid-August when hot southerly winds brought record-breaking temperatures resulting in a harvest that was sometimes 3-4 weeks earlier than normal.  However, because the vineyards at Colognole are at a relatively high elevation they were able to take advantage of the daytime heat but recover during the evening cooldown. Acidity and freshness were thus preserved and while the size of the crop was reduced it was of outstanding quality – a fact reflected in the wine. The 2011 Colognole Riserva del Don Chianti Rufina is available for immediate delivery.  This is an outstanding wine that is suitable both for holiday entertaining and gift-giving.  To order, simply e-mail or telephone us at 416-463-4677.  This is a real charmer – don’t miss it! 2011 Colognole Riserva del Don Chianti Rufina $32.50 btl / $390.00 cs  (case of 12 x 750ml)An excellent Riserva from the hot 2011 Tuscan vintage.  Dense and spicy with notes of both red and black fruit, complexed by a lovely rose petal …

Read more

Carmenere, the iconic grape of Chile has a fascinating history. It was originally an important component grape in the wines of Bordeaux, utilized for the richness in colour and flavour it imparted. Grown under ideal conditions, it produces a wine with the attractive meaty plumpness of Merlot and the gently herbaceous cedary notes of Cabernet Sauvignon. Prior to the great phylloxera infestation (plant louse) in Europe in the late 19th century, Carmenere was widely planted and paired with Cabernet Franc as the principal varietals in Bordea2ux wines. As vineyards were re-planted with American rootstock (that is immune to phylloxera), Carmenere was largely abandoned as it did not graft well to the foreign rootstock. Fortunately, some enterprising Chilean winemakers had brought Carmenere to Chile before the arrival of phylloxera. However, they believed that they were planting Merlot, not Carmenere. It was not until 1994 that the extensive plantings of Merlot in Chile were determined, through genetic testing, to in fact be Carmenere.  It was an unconscious mistake that saved Carmenere from extinction. The variety is now Chile’s premium grape. On offer this week is the 2013 Vinedos Terranoble Carmenere Reserva Terroir. This single vineyard wine is made from 95% Carmenere, complemented by 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is aged for ten months in a combination of stainless steel and French and American oak barrels, followed by an additional eight months of aging in the bottle prior to release. The 2013 Vinedos Terranoble Carmenere Reserva Terroir is available for immediate delivery.  A delicious, easy to drink wine suitable for a variety of foods. To order, simply e-mail or call 416-463-4677. 2013 Carmenere Reserva Terroir $17.40 btl / $208.80 cs  (case of 12 x 750ml)A complex wine exhibiting a rich combination of fruit and oak. On the nose, red and black berries, as well as fig and chocolate notes. Juicy on the palate, with black cherry and coffee flavours well integrated with toasted oak. This wine is well structured and medium to full-bodied with smooth tannins and a long finish.Drink:  Now – 2022+ Food Pairing:  Ideal for lamb and spicy cuisine

Suvereto, one of the warmer micro-climates on the Tuscan coast just south of Bolgheri, is an area that is relatively new to many. Despite its long winemaking and farming history going back as far as 1000 AD, the Suvereto DOC was only officially recognized in 2000. Set in the fertile Val di Comia, clay soils and proximity to the sea give an intensity to the flavours, producing ripe and direct wines typically made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and the local Sangiovese. This is the heart of the Super Tuscan growing area. In 1988, Fabio Chiarelotto purchased the Montepeloso estate. Though the vineyard was already well-renowned, Chiarelotto saw the potential of the site and chose to take the necessary steps to make the vineyard even better. Retraining, pruning, and even re-grafting many vines, Fabio was committed to perfection, pulling up thousands of low quality vines and replacing them with varietals more suited to the windy warmth of Suvereto. Looking back, he made the right decision, as today Montepeloso has few rivals on the Tuscan coast for producing wines of riveting complexity and great elegance. On offer this week is the 2013 Montepeloso A Quo.  This wine is considered the “entry” offering from the estate. The wine is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Montepulciano, 20% Sangiovese, 10% Marselan and 10% Alicante Bouschet. The grapes come from low-yielding vineyards; they are hand-picked and sorted, destemmed and aged in new and second year oak. The 2013 Montepeloso A Quo is available for immediate delivery.  To order, simply reply to this e-mail or call 416-463-4677. There are only 30 cases of this wine available.  Along with Tua Rita, Montepeloso is producing some of the most extraordinary wines in the Maremma … NOT to be missed.   2013 Montepeloso A Quo $35.95 btl / $215.70 cs  (case of 6 x 750ml)Deep and dark in the glass. Explosive nose of black fruit complexed by layers of spice, mineral and floral elements that evolve as the wine opens. Medium to full-bodied; rich and ripe with a long clean finish. Terrific!Drink:  Now – 2020+Food Pairing:  Try with veal chop; Bistecca alla Fiorentina Accolades: A firm and silky red with blueberry and blackberry character, a medium body and firm tannins. A dense wine that also shows vivid acidity. Drink or hold.   James Suckling, August 16, 2015, 92 points Montepeloso’s 2013 A Quo is a sexy wine.  Dark red cherry, plum, hard candy, lavender and mint open up in an intensely aromatic, layered red that delivers tons of personality. Drink this supple, racy red wine over the next few years.   Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 88-90 points

Many of the best wines of the world are blended wines.  Blending wine is both a culinary art and a scientific undertaking.  Blending wine improves the taste of the final product by bringing together varietals that complement one another, that provide balance and finesse and that help to define a particular style of wine.  Red Bordeaux wines for example are typically a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Not all Bordeaux red wines contain all of these varietals but all are composed of some sort of mixture of two or more of these varietals. Similarly, the Southern Rhone is famous for blending varietals, with Chateauneuf-du-Pape immediately coming to mind.  Up to 13 different varietals are permitted in the assemblage in this famous appellation.  Two other well-known blends that find their original home in the Rhone are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre (affectionately known as GSM) for red wine, and Roussanne Marsanne for white wine.  Both of these blends are magical; a full range of styles can be produced depending upon the characteristics of the constituent parts and the imagination of the winemaker. South Australia, and in particular, the McLaren Vale is blessed with a Mediterranean climate.  Summers are hot and dry while winters are cool and somewhat damp.  These are ideal conditions for the culivation of the wine varietals of the Rhone:  Grenache, Syrah (Shiraz), Mourvedre, Roussanne and Marsanne. On offer this week are the 2014 Gilligan wines, made by my good mate Leigh Gilligan and his son Sami.  To produce the red, they blended Shiraz, Mourvedre and a small portion of the white wine Marsanne (to help lift the fruit aromas). They were not pleased with the Grenache and decided to exclude it from the blend.  The white wine produced is a blend of Roussanne (83%) and Marsanne (17%).  Both of these wines are finely crafted – rich in the mouth and delightfully satisfying.  Both wines are truly an artisan effort: hand-picked grapes; hand-sorted bunches; use of small basket press; skilful use of oak, and very limited production. The 2014 Gilligan wines are available for immediate delivery.   There are only 30 cases of red and 20 cases of white available.  To order, simply e-mail or call 416-463-4677. 2014 Shiraz Mourvedre Marsanne $33.65 btl / $201.90 cs  (case of 6 x 750ml)Brilliant, intense crimson/purple with purple hue.  Vibrant bouquet with an array of red and black fruits, dark chocolate, ink and dried herbs.  The palate is long and full with a mouth-filling savouriness and gentle silkiness on the finish from the Marsanne. Drink:  Now – 2022+ Food Pairing:  Try with roasted or grilled meats or a hearty stew   2014 Roussanne Marsanne $31.95 btl / $191.70 cs  (case of 6 x 750ml)Deep mid-gold in colour (primarily from the extended skin contact on the Roussanne).  Lovely aromatic lifted nose of white peach, pear and honeysuckle.  These aromas flow through onto the full flavoured, textured palate.  Serve well-chilled. Drink:  Now – 2020 Food Pairing:  Superb with roasted chicken

Gaia Wines, founded in 1994 by Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos began production with 9,800 bottles of Thalassitis white wine, which quickly became established in Greece and abroad as an example of unique Santorini wines.  Today, Gaia operates two wineries: one in Koutsi, Nemea, which is the heart of the company, and one in Exo Gonia, Santorini. Gaia’s goal has been and still remains today to expand and highlight the quality characteristics of the native Greek grape varieties and to achieve their recognition in international markets.  By expanding the potential of the Nemea Agiorgitiko and the Santorini Assyrtiko over the years, Gaia has created a line of wines that have earned numerous international distinctions and have won over both Greek and foreign consumers.  Paraskevopoulos is arguably the country’s most visible oenologist, a respected winemaker, influential teacher and poster boy for a modern, urbane wine industry. After his university studies in Greece, he spent five years in Bordeaux, earned a Ph.D., then returned to make a name for himself as Greece’s most ubiquitous consulting oenologist.  As head of Greece’s most prestigious university oenology program, much of the country’s emerging winemaking talent has felt his influence. Agiorgitiko is a fragrant red-wine grape native to Greece’s Peloppenese peninsula.  It is one to the country’s most widely planted wine grape after Xenoprava, and goes by a number of local synonyms.  Agiorgitiko is the sole variety permitted in the Nemea appellation and performs admirably well in the hot Mediterranean climate there. Agiorgitiko is a remarkably versatile grape variety, and is used to make everything from light rose wines to rich, full-bodied red wines with dark fruit flavours and plush tannins.  Barrel maturation is increasingly used in Greece to assist Agioritiko’s aging process.  When not produced as a varietal wine, Agiorgitiko blends favourably with Cabernet Sauvignon. On offer this week is the 2014 Gaia Agiorgitiko.   For those unfamiliar with this producer and this varietal you are in for a pleasant surprise.  It is a finely crafted wine produced from perfectly ripened fruit.  I enjoyed it immensely along with a roast of lamb. The 2012 Gaia Agiorgitiko is available for immediate delivery.   To order, simply e-mail. There are only 25 cases of this wine available; do not miss this opportunity to taste a fantastic Greek red wine.   2014 Gaia Agiorgitiko $20.80 btl / $249.60 cs  (case of 12 x 750ml)A structured wine, showing the intense fruit of the grape variety and well integrated oak. On the nose look for black cherry along with leather and spice notes. In the mouth, the wine is complex and velvety. This is a medium bodied wine, with forward primary fruit, deep purple colour and ripe tannins. World class! Drink:  Now – 2020+ Food Pairing:  Pairs best with red meat dishes that are rich, intense and spicy Accolades: The 2014 Agiorgitiko is aged in a 90/10 mixture of French and American oak (only 10% new for each, the rest older in varying ages). Rather reticent this year, this unfolds slowly. When …

Read more

In Spain, Rioja is synonymous with wine.  The denomination of origin spreads along some 54,000 hectares around three different Communities (La Rioja, Basque Country and Navarre).  The wines of Rioja are the most famous of Spain and its long tradition supports their fame. Rioja wines are a blend of several grape varieties.  There are 4 red varieties and 3 white varieties allowed in the Rioja DOC.  Tempranillo clearly takes centre stage, followed by Garnacha (Grenache) which is sometimes added for body, then Graciano and Mazuelo (Carignan).  The region also makes decent roses. For whites, the main grape is Viura (Macebo), producing fresh, early-drinking wines. Bodegas Forcada is located in the village of Rincon de Olivedo in the southeast of La Rioja.  The vineyard is situated amid an agricultural Biosphere Reserve. This area has excellent soil and climate conditions that contribute to the ripening of the grapes.  Bodegas Forcada owns 65 hectares of its own vineyards and an additional 70 hectares through familial association.  The fourth generation is now at the helm of the Bodegas where traditional methods are combined with modern techniques to obtain better quality.  All vineyards are located at 700 metres above sea level. On offer this week is the 2012 Bodegas Forcada Flor de Baco Crianza.   I must admit that I was completely shocked when I tasted this wine.  All of the components of the wine are in balance and harmony…this explains why the wine has been decorated  at a number of international wine competitions. Do NOT miss this one!  This wine represents remarkable value! The 2012 Bodegas Forcada Flor de Baco Crianza is available for immediate delivery.   To order, simply e-mail. 2012 Bodegas Forcada Flor de Baco Crianza $22.30 btl / $267.60 cs  (case of 12 x 750ml)Deep cherry red colour, clean and bright, with slight brick hues. Intense spicy aromas, ripe fruit with complex roasted notes and hints of chocolate. In the mouth, the wine is well structured, with good balance between fruit, acidity and oak. Gorgeous tannins and velvety grip on the long finish. Great effort!Drink: Now – 2020+Food Pairing: Try with grilled sausages, paella or Moroccan tagineAccolades:Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge, 2016Silver Medal – Sommelier Wine Awards, 2016 Bronze Medal – Decanter, 2016

Vienna is the only city in the world with a significant level of wine production within its city limits. Zahel culitvates 25 acres of vineyards, which are located within each of the city’s 5 wine-growing zones. The wine that Vienna is most famous for is called Gemischter Satz. It is a wine produced from a single vineyard, where at least 3 or more grape varietals have been planted adjacent to one another. The grapes are harvested together on a single day and fermented together, producing a wine that showcases the unique characteristics of each varietal. In California, this would be referred to as a “field blend”. In the past many winemakers had only a single vineyard available from which they could produce their wines. In order to ensure a uniform yield from each harvest, different grape varieties were planted together side by side, so that the risk of pest infestation, diseases, or bad weather could be mitigated. Beyond pure practicality, winemakers learned that each grape varietal had different taste attributes that contributed a great deal to the finished wine. The 2015 Zahel Gemischter Satz is composed of the following varietals that each contribute to the taste profile of the wine: Gruner Veltliner – high yielding, rot-resistant, peppery, fruity Riesling – fine acidity, elegant, aromatic Chardonnay / Pinot Blanc – high ripeness, well suited to the vineyard conditions, full-bodied taste On offer this week is the 2015 Zahel Gemischter Satz. This wine is from the stellar 2015 vintage which, like in much of Europe, produced exceptionally good wines. This is a ripe, juicy, mouth-watering wine that will drink beautifully over the next year or two. A wine well worth trying! The 2015 Zahel Gemischter Satz is available for immediate delivery. To order simply  e-mail.   2015 Zahel Gemischter Satz $20.95 btl / $251.40 cs (case of 12 x 750ml)Bright straw yellow with greenish hues. Pronounced bouquet of apple and stone fruit with spicy components appearing on the palate. Fresh and lively, with racy acidity and a clean spicy finish. Good length. Drink: Now – 2018 Food Pairing: Ideal with veal, chicken, pasta dishes, mild cheeses