The 2015 Il Barbiglione Terre di Pisa Rosso is a diverse, Italian red blend approaching its peak drinking window… Name: Il Barbiglione Vintage: 2015 Producer: Usiglian del Vescovo Region/Country: Tuscany, Italy; DOC Terre di Pisa Grape Varietal(s): Predominantly Syrah, with small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (percentages unknown) Alcohol Level: 14% abv. Consumed: At … Read more
This 2019 La Matinera Dolcetto d’Alba shined as a sipping wine, and it offered plentiful notes, including basil (you read that right)… Name: La Matinera Vintage: 2019 Producer: Rocche Dei Manzoni Region/Country: Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Dolcetto d’Alba Alcohol Level: 12.5% Consumed: At home Recommended By: The Charlie’s Burger Wine Program team Cost: … Read more
A fantastic Barbera, showcasing vibrant red fruit and great acidity. As a bonus, this food-friendly wine comes at a great price point… Name: Maraia Vintage: 2017 Producer: Marchesi di Barolo Region/Country: Piedmont, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Barbera Alcohol Level: 14% Consumed: At home Recommended By: Purchased at the local liquor board store, the LCBO. Cost: $19.95 … Read more
A very good IGT from a spectacular region in Italy… Name: Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo Vintage: 2015 Producer: Poggio al Tufo Region/Country: Maremma Toscana, Tuscany, Italy Grape Varietal(s): Sangiovese (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) Alcohol Level: 13% Consumed: At home on a brisk fall evening Recommended By: Picked it off the shelf at the LCBO … Read more
A good-to-very good Chianti Classico Riserva from the heart of the Chianti region… We very much looked forward to opening this Chianti Classico Riserva after having cellared it for a number of years. As expected, it offered a gorgeous and vibrant ruby-garnet hue, which caught more than one eye during dinner. Produced in the heart … Read more
This outstanding Barbera d’Alba had us at the cork… Everything about this Barbera d’Alba from Piedmont, Italy, exuded class, starting with the patterned cork, which gave off an alluring aroma of pipe tobacco. Balanced, complex, and vivacious, this red wine offered everything you could want in a Barbera. Vibrant red fruit, most notably cherries and … Read more
A decent Barolo… We were excited to try this 2014 Batasiolo Barolo, a wine we previously reviewed on our site, albeit from 2012. To be honest, compared to the 2012 offering, the 2014 vintage came up a little short, especially due to the prominence of alcohol in both the nose and mouth, as well as … Read more
Big, bold, and Italian all the way… This Amarone from Remo Farina, a bold, brazen, and charismatic red blend, lived up to its billing and did justice to Amarone’s Appassimento wine-making style. The alcohol content, a whopping 15.5%, which is probably an under-estimate, paralleled the robust flavours in terms of presence. Made from a combination … Read more
An outstanding Barolo from Ascheri… Although we don’t typically jump at the appearance of a wine bottle, the classy, elegant, and, at the same time, modern label caught our eye, distinguishing it from the other vini piemontesi on the shelf. In many ways, the presentation reflected the excellent quality of the wine. Made from 100% … Read more
A tantalizing, award-winning red blend from Veneto… This enticing, red blend, an IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) from Zenato, a highly reputable producer in Italy’s Veneto region, situated near the shore of Lake Garda, offers plenty of fruit while maintaining a beautifully-balanced structure. The nose, an aromatic bouquet, served up raspberries and dark cherries, as well … Read more