MAKING THE CASE
For Italian Wine By TOM FIRTH
W
ith March being Culinaire’s Italian-centric issue, it was an easy choice to focus on some Italian wine selections here. Italy is in many ways the centre of the wine producing world - with a fine balance of high quality wines, but also tremendous variety of grapes and blends, and a staggeringly large variety of prices too. This month, I’ve been feeling the love for chianti, but I’ve also tried to find a good balance of newer offerings, some well-known bottles or producers, and also finding wines with prices a little more on the reasonable side (because… you know… inflation) as well. A great number of these wines will taste very good when the warmer weather comes too, so keep a few of these in mind for patio season! Find these wines by searching the CSPC code at Liquorconnect.com; your local liquor store can also use this code to order it for you. Prices are approximate. Luigi Righetti 2018 Valpolicella Ripasso Veneto, Italy
People just love Ripasso wines – and for good reason. At a very fair price, ripassos are made by passing fresh valpolicella wines over the raisined grapes used in making amarone (which is typically fairly expensive) gaining a little of that richer, sweeter character in the process. Big and generous fruits on the nose and palate with a little of that plush, sweeter fruit, but also liquorice, spice, and mellow tannins. A fine bottle any night of the week; on your menu should be steaks, or even tomatodominant pastas, or ribs from the grill. CSPC +838054 $25-29
Tom is a freelance wine writer, wine consultant, and wine judge. He is the Managing Editor for Culinaire Magazine, and the Competition Director for the Alberta Beverage Awards. Follow him on twitter @cowtownwine, email tom@culinairemagazine.ca.
38 Culinaire | March 2022
Masottina NV Collezione 96 Brut Prosecco, Italy
The very best thing about prosecco, is that it really is meant to be enjoyed. This brut shines with fresh and clean apple and nectarine fruits, a splash of peach and grapefruit and a touch of mineral characters. Plenty of zest and a nice, frothy foam, it checks off all the boxes for a mid-week treat. I prefer my prosecco without food, but this would be at home with light snacks and a movie too. CSPC +856316 $17-21
Masottina NV Collezione 96 Rosé Brut Prosecco, Italy
Made from prosecco’s glera grapes with pinot noir (for both colour and character), this rosé prosecco shows the barest colour in the glass, yet still shows off tart strawberry, a pinch of cherry, and a fine floral note tying it all together. The palate is crisp and dry, with those summery fruits leading the way and a touch of hard candy towards the finish. A rosé that very much over delivers on quality and flavour – at a fine price too. CSPC +856317 $18-21
Spinelli 2019 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Abruzzo, Italy
While Italy is packed corner to corner with great wine and food, it was in Abruzzo that I have never eaten so well or for so long with such a wide variety of food. Primarily montepulciano d’Abruzzo with a touch of sangiovese, this excellent value wine is all about red fruits with good supporting spicy and earthy notes. Tannins are almost cuddly-soft with the fine acids that make a wine like this perfect for the barbecue or smoker. Try grilled red meats or even a brisket with this one. CSPC +799608 $12-15
