Divino Wine Studio

2008 Wine picks

2007 Wine picks

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The following is the list of wines by-the-glass featured this month at the Enomatic tasting station located in our Enoteca at 225 Preston St.
Buy and use your own rechargeable tasting card or let us serve you. The Enomatic machines keep the open bottles away from oxygen (avoids spoiling from oxidization) and it pours 1oz, 3oz or 5oz!

Tasting notes provided by Kate Parsons, Sommelier

Etna Bianco DOC 2007, Scamacca
Region: Sicilia
Grapes: 70% Carricante, 30% Catarratto

You can taste the warm Sicilian sun and the volcanic soils near Mt. Etna in this blend, which includes the rarely seen carricante grape. Pale straw in colour, it displays lovely aromas of ripe pear mingling with hints of citrus and Italy’s signature minerality. Medium to full bodied, it is both rich and refreshing on the palate.

Malvirá, Langhe Bianco 2007
Region: Piemonte
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Watch out, New Zealand! This straw-coloured wine from the rolling hills and cool climate of Langhe is bursting with aromas of fresh-cut grass and tangy white grapefruit. It is medium bodied and fresh, but softer in the mouth than some sauvignon blancs.

Saltagrilli Rosé DOC 2007, Castiglioni
Region: Toscana
Grapes: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

A pretty shade of salmon pink, this food-friendly sipper has pleasant aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and hints of watermelon and the spiciness of carnations. The spice and strawberry replay nicely on palate and on the finish. Light and refreshing.

Recioto Valpolicella DOC 2006, Giuseppe Campagnoli
Region: Veneto
Grapes: Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella

This wine is made from the same grapes as Amarone (see wine #8 to your left) but is done in a dessert style by letting some of the natural sugar of the grapes remain. Delicious aromas of sweet berry fruit, blueberry pie, and an intriguing herbaceous waft up from the glass. It’s full bodied and luscious in the mouth but not cloying.

Schioppettino DOC 2006, Villa Rubini
Region: Friuli Venezia-Giulia
Grape: Schioppettino

The name of this rare wine—‘schioppettino’—translates as ‘gunshot’, and it was once a traditional drink at wedding ceremonies in the region. Often likened to Rhone syrah, its black pepper aromas do come shooting out of the glass. Cassis and subtle violet notes are here too. Medium to full bodied, it is dry with grippy tannins and a strong spicy finish.

Sogno IGT 2005
Region: Lazio
Grapes: Merlot, Cesanese

Lazio produces primarily white wines, but its merlots are starting to grab critics’ attention. This is a prime example at a fantastic price. Rich dark ruby in colour and almost opaque, this wine has strong aromas of sweet spices like clove and cinnamon as well as raspberry compote. It’s full bodied, dense, and maintains a perfect balance of ripe fruit, sweet tannins, and fresh acidity.

Costa Viola IGT Calabria 2006, Criserá
Region: Calabria
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nerello

Calabrese cabernets are hard to come by, and this one has pleasant scents of ripe cherry, cedar wood, and herbal notes. In the mouth, there’s a nice balance between smooth tannins and mouthwatering acidity. The cherry flavours replay strong and clear on the finish.

Il Falcone, Castel del Monte Riserva DOC 2003, Rivera
Region: Puglia
Grapes: 70% Uva di Troia, 30% Montepulciano

The ancient Greeks likely brought Uva di Troia from Troy to Puglia, where today few producers feature this intensely coloured, aromatic grape. Rivera is one of the best wineries crafting wines from it, and here they’ve created a deep ruby red wine with orange hues. Powerfully floral and caramelized aromas overlay scents of blackberry preserves, sweet chocolate (probably from 12 months in French oak barrels), and finally a pungent herbaceous note. Strong fruit flavours balance nicely with smooth but significant tannins. And Italy’s signature vein of fresh acidity is here too.

Dolcetto D’Alba DOC 2007, Aldo Clerico
Region: Piemonte
Grape: Dolcetto

‘Dolcetto’ means “little sweet one’, but this wine is dry and full bodied. Its delicate ruby-pink hues and aromas of fresh raspberries, cherry pits, and hints of licorice give way to a bold presence in the mouth. Rich fruit, zingy acidity, and ripe tannins all abound.

Timeo Aglianico DOC 2004, Terre Borboniche
Region: Basilicata
Grape: Aglianico

Hard-to-find aglianico from Basilicata has reached cult status among many wine lovers. This impoverished region produces far less, but some say better, Aglianico than its neighbour Campania. This light ruby and orange-hued version shows aromas of cherry, hints of sweet tobacco, and milk chocolate. This medium bodied wine has a firm structure and a pleasant tannic bite.

Montefalco Rosso DOC 2005, Scacciadiavoli
Region: Umbria
Grape: Sagrantino

We rarely see this robust, brambly wine in North America, partly because there are only about 400 acres of sagrantino in existence. It offers intriguing aromas of sweet and savoury spices, candied black cherry, fruit cake, and resin. It’s also got a lot going on in the mouth—sweet tannins, lively acidity, and a long warm fruit-and-spice finish.

Amarone Vejo DOC 2001, Salvalai
Region: Veneto
Grapes: Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella

This full-bodied, velvety wine made from hand-picked, dried grapes is an experience all its own. Lush ruby in colour, it has pleasing powerful aromas of chocolate, dates, ripe fig, candied fruit, and even some notes of sweet spice. Luscious fruit and sweet chocolate flavours coat the mouth and blend nicely with a final tannic bite.

TASTING NOTES from previous wines:

REDS:
1) Camarato, Villa Matilde 2001
From the Falerno del Massico DOC in Campania - 100% aglianico grapes
This wine’s colour is deep ruby with hints of orange. It has rich, complex aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and cassis layered over mushroom, mocha, and sweet spice. Initially, it grips the mouth with ripe tannins and then leaves it with a long cassis-flavoured finish.

2) Le Vespe 2004
From Toscana (IGT)—80% sangiovese grapes plus other indigenous grapes
Rich ruby in colour, this Tuscan blend displays aromas of fresh berries and sour cherry, with layers of cinnamon, clove, and just a hint of nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, it is smooth and velvety in the mouth and has a long, cherry-flavoured finish.

3) Fiorato Tommasi, Recioto della Valpolicella 2004 (DESSERT RED WINE)
From the Recioto della Valpolicella DOC in Veneto - blend of 65% corvina, 30% rondinella, and 5% molinara grapes
Deep ruby in color, this dessert wine’s aromas are of ripe black cherry, stewed black plum, and prunes. Medium to full bodied, it is rich and fresh in the mouth.

4) Gattinara Bianchi 2001 (Organic)
From the Gattinara DOCG in Piemonte - 100% nebbiolo grapes
Delicate aromas of violet and raspberry combine with those of baked plum and dried fruit in this wine, which is cherry-coloured with orange hues. Medium-bodied and tannic, it starts fresh and lively in the mouth and ends with a long dry finish.

5) Sagrantino di Montefalco Uno di Tre 2000
From the unique Sagrantino grape variety that only grows on the vines around the town of Montefalco in the central region of Umbria.
Complex and layered bouquet, with prominent cherry jam and leather features. Delightful mature tannins soften up with age and perfectly integrated. Long warm finish, with a touch of bitterness.

6) Crognolo, Tenuta Setteponti, Toscana IGT 2004
A new world style wine in an ancient wine growing region. Blend of Sangiovese and Merlot
Dark ruby with garnet hues. Intense and persistent aromas of ripe black plum and blackberry, with hints of black pepper and cardamom. It is soft and mouth filling with a long finish and soft tannins.

7) Amarone della Valpolicella Farina 2004
From the Amarone DOC in Veneto - blend of corvina, molinara, and rondinella grapes
Concentrated and complex aromas of dried fruits, black currants, and sultana raisins combine perfectly with scents of chocolate and sweet spice in this rich, full-bodied wine. Intense ruby in colour, it is luscious and velvety in the mouth and has a long, warm finish.

8) Barolo Ginestra Paolo Conterno 2003
From the Barolo DOCG in Piemonte—100% nebbiolo grapes
Earthy aromas of black truffle and forest floor mingle with those of spicy dried fruit and violet in this deep ruby-red wine. Its firm tannins make this full-bodied wine pleasantly grainy in the mouth, and it finishes long, warm, and spicy.

WHITES:
1) Ribolla Gialla DOC 2007, La Tunella
Another fantastic product from La Tunella, a modern winery in North East Italy. Ribolla Gialla is a rare white grape, only found in those semi-alpine areas. Very aromatic with a hint of tropical fruits and a surprisingly full bodied and harmonic balance of acidity, alcohol and soft components (in spite of the exposure to the northern climate). Food match: scallops, tuna, and...yes, even scamorza al prosciutto!

2) Chiaretto Bardolino Classico DOC 2007, Tommasi
From one of the most known producer of Amarone.
The grapes used for this wine grow near Lake Garda in the DOC Bardolino, in the region of Veneto. Rose’ wines are enjoyed everyday by the locals who match them with fish from the lake.

3) Roncolato Recioto di Soave 2003
Garganega and Trebbiano grapes from Veneto
This wine is gold in color and displays intense aromas of honey, spice, white flowers, and baked pear. This dessert-style wine is rich and luscious in the mouth.

4) La Tunella Noans 2006
From the region of Friuli. 33% Sauvignon, 33% Riesling and 33% Traminer.
A blend of three northern grapes that are commonly found in cooler climates. On top of the wonderful aromaticity and scent of peaches, apricots and tropical fruits we found spices, honey and an elegant touch of nuttiness. Some of the grapes are vinified with the ‘passito’ technique (dried before pressing) and some are affected by Botrytis Cinerea, the rare, sought-after noble fungus that gives the wine an extra layer of softness and richness. Cheese plate.

Previous line up

TASTING NOTES:

REDS:
1) Camarato Villa Matilde 2001
From the Falerno del Massico DOC in Campania - 100% aglianico grapes. This wine’s colour is deep ruby with hints of orange. It has rich, complex aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and cassis layered over mushroom, mocha, and sweet spice. Initially, it grips the mouth with ripe tannins and then leaves it with a long cassis-flavoured finish.

2) Le Vespe 2004
IGT Toscana - 80% sangiovese grapes plus other indigenous grapes. Rich ruby in colour, this Tuscan blend displays aromas of fresh berries and sour cherry, with layers of cinnamon, clove, and just a hint of nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, it is smooth and velvety in the mouth and has a long, cherry-flavoured finish.

3) Tommasi Fiorato Recioto della Valpolicella 2004 (RED DESSERT WINE)
From the Recioto della Valpolicella DOC in Veneto - blend of 65% corvina, 30% rondinella, and 5% molinara grapes. Deep ruby in color, this dessert wine’s aromas are of ripe black cherry, stewed black plum, and prunes. Medium to full bodied, it is rich and fresh in the mouth.

4) Barbaresco Faset Castello di Verduno 2001
From the Barbaresco DOCG in Piemonte - 100% nebbiolo grapes. Delicate aromas of violet and cinnamon combine with those of baked plum and dried fruit in this wine, which is cherry-coloured with orange hues. Medium-bodied, it starts fresh and lively in the mouth and ends with a long dry finish.

5) Sagrantino di Montefalco Uno di Tre 2000

6) Basadone Verduno 2006
From the Verduno Pelaverga DOC in Piemonte - 100% pelaverga grapes. The medium weight of this wine comes as a surprise given its cherry colour and enchanting aromas of rose petals and spiced berries: strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry. It is a lively, refreshing wine from a grape we rarely see in Canada.

7) Amarone Salvalai Vejo 2001
From the Amarone DOC in Veneto - blend of corvina, molinara, and rondinella grapes. Concentrated and complex aromas of dried fruits, black currants, and sultana raisins combine perfectly with scents of chocolate and sweet spice in this rich, full-bodied wine. Intense ruby in colour, it is luscious and velvety in the mouth and has a long, warm finish.

8) Barolo Ginestra Paolo Conterno 2003
From the Barolo DOCG in Piemonte—100% nebbiolo grapes
Earthy aromas of black truffle and forest floor mingle with those of spicy dried fruit and violet in this deep ruby-red wine. Its firm tannins make this full-bodied wine pleasantly grainy in the mouth, and it finishes long, warm, and spicy.

WHITES:

1) Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vigna Aprico 2006
From the Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG in Toscana -100% vernaccia grapes. Baked pear and honeyed aromas are beautifully balanced by hints of white flowers and a touch of citrus. Pale straw in colour, this wine is crisp and light to medium bodied.

2) VinSanto del Chianti Falchini 2001
From the Chianti DOC in Toscana - blend of trebbiano and malvasia grapes. This dessert wine’s amber colour hints at its rich aromas of caramel, almonds, and baked red apple. Medium bodied, it feels luscious in the mouth while its fresh acidity prevents it from being cloying.

3) Roncolato Recioto di Soave Il Fiore 2003
Garganega and Trebbiano grapes from Veneto. This wine is gold in color and displays intense aromas of honey, spice, white flowers, and baked pear. This dessert-style wine is rich and luscious in the mouth.

4) Planeta Moscato di Noto 2005
Muscat grapes grown in Sicily. This deep golden dessert wine is highly perfumed, with aromas of ripe apricot and peach and floral notes as well. It has a rich and creamy texture in the mouth.