C187-NS: The Rhineland, Austria and Italy

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OFFERING 187 Rhineland, and Italyand Australia The wines of The South Africa, Austria New Zealand

Villa di Maser Fresco by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) Bacchus giving grapes to the shepherds

CELLAR OFFERING 187 The Rhineland, Austria and Italy Our Rhineland selections, with wines chosen from all the major regions, have been extended to mark a return to the lightness, elegance and delicacy that makes German wines unique. Then, to Austria where we find great wines and varietals from the plain that extends from the romantic Danube to the Russian Steppes. Finally we go to Italy, the country known in fables as “Enotria — the land of wine”.

Germ a n y KESPELHER WINE SHIPPERS

The Rhineland and Mosel

Gutenbergstrasse, Heidenrod

Wachtenburg Winzer EG - Pfalz

To add diversity to our German wine offerings we return to Claus Kespelher, with whom we worked more than twenty years ago. Claus, one of the last of the great German négociants, has selections from the top growers and includes some of the finest wines of the Rhineland.

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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

GERMANY KESPELHER WINE SHIPPERS >>

4954

BIROTH SEKT - SPARKLING WINE, NV, ST. ANTONIUS WEINKELLEREI $19.50

12 BTLS/750 ML. $234.00

Anton Biroth, the son of a winemaking family, took over a 500 year old wine cellar to produce his own wines. His bubbly, with the least inspiring label design ever, is excellent!

After popping the stopper, the surprises come with a rush from the delicious sparkler. Pale with a persistent, gentle, foaming mousse, the effervescence carries a small bouquet with peaches, pears and toasted almonds, a display that highlights the integration of citrus with the fruit. [04] M8 D8

4955

RÜDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN RIESLING KABINETT, 2008, ST. ANTONIUS WEINKELLEREI $19.67

6 BTLS/750 ML. $118.00

Delicate, lively and fresh, the pale golden colour is still tinged with green highlights while the bouquet imparts an assortment of floral fragrances and fruit aromas. The flavours are equally vigorous with floral notes enhanced by mandarin with good intensity and limes giving substance to the texture. A long finish is highlighted by touches of zingy fruit acidity.

[05] M8 D8

4956

KREUZNACHER KRONENBERG RIESLING SPÄTLESE, 2008, ST. ANTONIUS WEINKELLEREI $20.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $122.00

This wine comes from one of the best sites of the Nahe Valley.

The combination of slate and loess soils and the inclination of the vineyard, towards the south in near proximity to the river, guarantee complexity. This late-harvested Spätlese shows persistent peach and apricot with balanced acidity leading to an invigorating finish. Light and fresh, with no sign of excess sweetness, it has a crisp edge with gentle peach, honeycomb wax, citrus and mandarin flavours. [05] M6 D7

4957

BECHTOLSHEIMER PETERSBERG RIESLING EISWEIN, 2004, WEINGUT ERNST BRETZ $49.83

12 BTLS/375 ML. $598.00

It took a period of intense cold to freeze the grapes to the level that Horst Bretz required before picking the icy vineyard.

In tiny bunches, vine by vine, painstakingly, the small harvest of frozen grapes was brought to the hand-press before the water in the grapes could thaw. The result is the closest thing to sheer nectar. Golden-coloured, its intense bouquet is sweet and perfumed, the immediacy of the extreme sweetness only reined in by perfectly balanced acidity and mouth-filling complexity. Here is an original masterpiece. [09] M7 D8

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Exuberance and plenty of fun Grape Variety

A cuvée of fruity grape varietals

Aroma

Balanced, fresh, clean, crisp

Taste

Soft and creamy fizz with lemony accents

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Ready the moment it was released from the winery

Ideal with

Serve on its own to start the evening

As lively as a dandy-cock!

Grape Variety

Riesling

Aroma

Flowers, fruit, all in one basket

Taste

Lively, racy acidity, excellent balance, structure

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Sweetness and fruit in perfect balance, drinking beautifully

Ideal with

Blue Trout [Blaue Forelle] served with new King Edward potatoes

Pyrotechnic display of fresh acidity Grape Variety

Riesling

Aroma

Full, pure, clean

Taste

Balancing acidity and a hint of aromatic, mineral fruit

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Lovely now, it has five years development potential

Ideal with

Braised beef rolls [Rinderrouladen] with bacon, onion, parsley filling and German potato and cucumber salad

A crown jewel - Riesling Eiswein is a rare diamond Grape Variety

Riesling

Aroma

Straw, hay, peaches, honey

Taste

Dense notes of caramel, dainty fruit nuances, spice, cinnamon

Serve

9° C

Evolution

It will live as long as you wish it but “carpe diem” seize the day

Ideal with

Sip on its own

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4958

BECHTOLSHEIMER PETERSBERG RIVANER, QBA, TROCKEN, 2007, WEINGUT ERNST BRETZ $21.83

6 BTLS/750 ML. $131.00

The tenth generation of the Bretz family now makes ultra modern wines at their historic winery. Horst, the winemaker, has all the traditional Rhineland varieties in the vineyard and has added several modern hybrids including Rivaner, a cross between Sylvaner and Riesling. This grape produces a powerfully flavoured, dry white, somewhat in the style of Viognier. The delicious palate is freshened by lemony zest with fruit extract giving a grainy feel to the acidity. Crisp from beginning to end, the tangy acid keeps it lively. [00] M9 D9

4959

Aroma

Dry, quite austere with traces of herbs and earth

Taste

Oatmeal, herbal tones, the fatness of honey wax

Serve

10° - 12° C

Evolution

At optimum drinking

Ideal with

Leeks with bacon and onion [Lauch Gemüse]

$24.00

Grape Variety

Weisser Burgunder

Aroma

Sliced white fruit, zesty appeal

Taste

Balanced, vivacious, easy to enjoy

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Utterly perfect now

Ideal with

Perfect as an aperitif, sautéed chopped veal [Geschnetzeltes]

6 BTLS/750 ML. $144.00

PIESPORTER GOLDTRÖPFCHEN RIESLING, AUSLESE, 2006, WEINGUT MEILEN 6 BTLS/750 ML. $142.00

This exciting glass offers fresh apples and white peaches with nuances of honey, apricot and nuts to enhance the creamy mouth-feel. Fresh and ripe, it concentrates on the fruit balanced by citrus acidity. The grapes were sourced from one of the best locations on the Mosel where the steep vineyards hang above the village of Piesport and form an arc around a sharp bend in the river, on an amazing 60 degree slope. The weathered slate adds mineral notes to other finely defined characteristics. [06] M7 D8

Light as a daisy, but filled with nobility Grape Variety

Riesling

Aroma

Honey, spice

Taste

Harmonious lemon, stone fruit and lemon zest

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Just about perfect, it will go on for quite a while

Ideal with

Almond and Jam Tart [Linzer Torte]

WACHENHEIMER SCHENKENBÖHL GEWÜRZTRAMINER KABINETT, 2007, WACHTENBURG WINZER EG

This pure, fruity wine really performs

$24.17

Grape Variety

Gewürztraminer

Aroma

A heady mix of rose petals, passion fruit, lychees and spice

Taste

Rich, fleshy, concentrated

Serve

10° - 12° C

Evolution

Wonderful at any time over the next 2-6 years

Ideal with

Hot smoked salmon with a light chilli dressing

6 BTLS/750 ML. $145.00

The best German Gewürztraminer comes from the heart of the Palatinate close to the Alsace border. Here, the grape produces a perfumed, floral, aromatic bouquet to partner the rich, unctuous, almost viscous, mouth-feel. Pale, bright and fresh the nose is alive with the fragrance of spring flowers closely packed with ripe, peachy intensity. The flavours are beginning to show nuances of lychees and mandarin with a rainbow of spices needing time to develop. [04] M7 D7

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Rivaner

Closer to ballet than ballroom

$23.67

4961

Grape Variety

BECHTOLSHEIMER PETERSBERG WEISSER BURGUNDER, QBA, TROCKEN, 2007, WEINGUT ERNST BRETZ The grape known in Burgundy and Alsace as Pinot Blanc, produces an interesting, noble wine with a pale yellow, straw colour and a dry flavour that places the accent on elegance rather than weight. On the palate its energy shows in a display combining apples, with fruit peel giving a chewy dimension and viscosity balanced by gentle furry tannin and mild astringency. It offers great appeal throughout its length. [01] M8 D9

4960

A great change from Chardonnay and Sauvignon

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

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4962

RHEINGAU RIESLING CLASSIC, 2008, WEINGUT HIRTGEBHARDT $24.67

6 BTLS/750 ML.

$148.00

For generations the Gebhardt family has made wines in Martinsthal, one of the quiet villages of the Rheingau. Today, the family winery and vineyard of 45 acres is headed by oenologists Christian and Elke Gebhardt who passionately embrace new technologies to develop their wines. Their classic, almost dry Riesling is vigorous, its lime blossom fragrance mingling with freshness as the ripe flavours come alive with delicate fruit, mineral edges and citrus. Still very youthful, it is showing vibrant intensity and offers the finesse that gives Riesling the name “King of Wines”. [03] M8 D8

4963

FRANKEN SILVANER KABINETT TROCKEN, 2007, WEINGUT GLASER-HIMMELSTOSS $32.67

6 BTLS/750 ML. $196.00

We last offered a Franken wine, in its traditional flask-shaped bottle, in 1988 and have overlooked it ever since. However, this is so good that it could single-handedly transform the fortunes of German wine. The quality of the region of Franconia and the almost perfectly dry Silvaner grape show a great synergy. Filled with fragrance and clean, mineral-touched flavours, the wine is full with intense fresh fruit and crisp acidity. Roll it around the palate to relish the emergence of warm peach and apricot flavours before they slip away to the mineral finish. The Silvaner celebrates its 350th birthday this year and numerous events have been scheduled in celebration! [01] M8 D8

A modern German - fruity, aromatic and just off-dry Grape Variety

Riesling

Aroma

Dripping with limes, lychees, blossoms and spice

Taste

Fruity, touched by sweetness and perfectly balanced crispness

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Easy now, but Rieslings can live, change and develop for years

Ideal with

Mild green curry, crisp summer salads

Silvaner is the world-wide ambassador for Franconian wine Grape Variety

Silvaner

Aroma

Balanced mineral aromas and ripe, fresh fruit

Taste

Off-dry with good balancing acidity, ends with fruit and spice

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Drinking perfectly

Ideal with

Lobster salad

Weingut Glaser - Himmelstoss - Franken

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HÖPLER GMBH Burgenland Practically the entire international wine media features wines from Jost and Christof Höpler’s winery in Burgenland, be it the Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Decanter or Wines and Spirits. Yet, Austrian wines remain an overlooked treasure for many Canadians. Jost has supplied his subtle, textured wines to Opimian for more than a quarter of a century. He is a great friend and a quintessential gentleman. In addition, his wines are outstanding!

Austria

Christof Höpler

Souvenirs of the romantic Blue Danube

4964

BEERENAUSLESE, N.V., NEUSIEDLERSEE $43.83

6 BTLS/375 ML. $263.00

Risking rain and the blackbirds that feast on the grapes, the Höplers waited for extreme cold to freeze the remaining drops of juice in each berry. Picked when solidly frozen and gently pressed over several hours, the extracted nectar was then fermented. Brilliant yellow-gold, the floral aromas are reminiscent of hibiscus, dollops of honey and exotic fruit. With sappy flavours and well-integrated residual sugar, this is a rare wine. Honeyed and rich, it is balanced by marked acidity. Put it away and touch only when tempted, otherwise wait for another 10 years. [08] M5 D8

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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

Fruit sugar to inspire your soul Grape Variety

Saemling 88, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner

Aroma

Liquefied honey, dried apricots, a seam of lemon freshness

Taste

Utterly sweet but perfectly balanced by fresh fruit

Serve

8° C

Evolution

A wine to last for 25 years and more

Ideal with

Pâté de foie gras, fruit, desserts

AUSTRIA HÖPLER GMBH >>

4965

GRÜNER VELTLINER, 2008, QUALITÄTSWEIN, NEUSIEDLERSEE

This fantastic wine should make a regular appearance

$29.00

Grape Variety

Grüner Veltliner

Aroma

Crabapple, peach, spice notes, mint with lime acid

Taste

Vivid notes of citric acidity, juicy fruit

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Wonderful drinking , this grape can take ageing

Ideal with

Breaded veal fillet [Wiener Schnitzel] served with lemon, sautéed potatoes and green salad

6 BTLS/750 ML. $174.00

As the summer fades and is replaced by autumn's morning mists, the vineyard's annual cycle is completed. The vintage took place in November before grape acidity was lost; harvesters had to wait until every element of the ripening process terminated. In the glass, a mist of tiny bubbles indicates freshness and energetic youth. A stalky mix of ripe orchard aromas leads to the palate with apple, pear and white pepper while clean mineral notes make an appearance at the finish. Rich in body and fruit, it shows good potential for maturation. [01] M7 D8

4966

RIESLING, 2008, QUALITÄTSWEIN, BURGENLAND $35.17

The Riesling derives its characteristics from the primary rock underlying the vineyard. This superb example has a brilliant greenish-yellow colour, a pronounced peach fragrance, good extract with fine flavour and ample body combining to give an elegant impression. Delicately balanced, extract and fine elegance allow the parts to come together in long, melodic harmony. [01] M7 D7

4967

PINOT NOIR, 2005, QUALITÄTSWEIN, BURGENLAND $37.00

Sunshine trapped in the bottle

6 BTLS/750 ML. $211.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $222.00

The grapes came from the Höpler vineyard on the slopes of the Leitha Hills, a perfect environment to achieve success with this difficult varietal which only truly talented winemakers should produce. It is the most capricious of vines, even though success brings great satisfaction. Not easy to ripen, the skins are thin and liable to break and the flavours are evasive. Yet, Christof has been well-rewarded by the quality of his wine. Dark-coloured, classic notes of raspberry, marzipan and wild forest mushrooms define the ethereal excellence of Pinot Noir. M7 D8

Grape Variety

Riesling

Aroma

Intense lemon and lime mixed with mineral, vivid crispness and orange blossom

Taste

Fresh acidity and silky characteristics match the lingering mineral and lime/mandarin blossom

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Riesling can age well

Ideal with

Gently spiced Thai dishes, rice/noodle based vegetable dishes

A very fine example of a stubborn variety Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

Raspberries, bilberries and Tay berries, earthy mushroom notes

Taste

Smooth, high acid notes, pervasive, dry, fruity finish

Serve

17° C

Evolution

Ready now, it needs a few months to settle after the voyage

Ideal with

Lightly fried chanterelles, duck

Höpler’s wine rooms—Colour Room

AUSTRIA HÖPLER GMBH

Film Room

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Italy

A world of wine in one country

Veneto

Aerial view of Villa di Maser

Venice, Treviso, Verona and the shores of the Lake Country

About the Cover As described by Vittorio Dalle Ore: Room of Bacchus: “Bacchus giving grapes to the shepherds” fresco by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) This fresco was painted on the ceiling of the Room of Bacchus by Paolo Veronese between 1560 and 1561. A beautiful sky with soft and serene clouds is the setting where Bacchus is donating to the shepherds a bunch of grapes in a golden cup as a precious and serious gift. Grapes and wine have always been a very important fruit of the estate and are a symbol of abundance and prosperity.

Paolo Veronese, a main figure of XVI century Venetian art, was called to the Villa di Maser by the brothers Daniele and Marcantonio Barbaro, members of one of the most influential Venetian families, to decorate the main rooms of their house. The mythological scenes, landscapes, and allegories painted on the walls by Veronese gave life to the architecture of Andrea Palladio creating the magical atmosphere of one of the masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance.

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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

AZIENDA AGRICOLA VILLA DI MASER DI DIAMANTE LULING BUSCHETTI Treviso Villa di Maser was inspired by Countess Diamante Luling Buschetti, wife of Vittorio Dalle Ore and owner of the domaine. The wines from this estate were crafted in cooperation with world renowned oenologist Dr. Donato Lanati.

From a harvest of perfect grapes stand up the most powerful of the province, some from unusual and little known varieties. Vittorio Dalle Ore, an ardent supporter of his heritage and the history of his glorious Villa di Maser, maintains an estate so precious that it is included by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

ITALY, VENETO AZIENDA AGRICOLA VILLA DI MASER DI DIAMANTE LULING BUSCHETTI >>

4968

PROSECCO, DOC MONTELLO COLLI ASOLANI, N.V. $30.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $182.00

The world's gone mad for “bubbly”, no matter the origin. The Veneto producers count their Euros all the way to the bank, well-satisfied that they make a far better wine than many of the trendy Cava competitors from Spain. This one is a Prosecco with “attitude”. Streaked with a persistent stream of steady, tiny bubbles the fresh nose is a mixture of mature yeast and soft fruit with a measure of orange peel. Elegant, it has a pleasant citric note and easily maintains a wide appeal.

[03] M8 D9

4969

IL MASERINO DESSERT, N.V. $42.67

6 BTLS/500 ML. $256.00

Without a doubt, this is the wine to enjoy with meringues and peach tarts or creamy Gorgonzola with a drizzle of Acacia honey. It is the colour of an ancient golden treasure, full of alcohol, glycerine and fruit sugar. It offers a bouquet of flowers with ripe orange fruit, cooked apples and vanilla. Truly refined Italian dessert wines are unusual, but this one, made from partly dried Verduzzo grapes fermented in oak casks, is one of the best we have tasted over many years. Like all the great dessert wines, this has the balance for long cellaring.

[08] M5 D7

4970

VERDUZZO, IGT COLLI TREVIGIANI, 2007 $29.33

CHARDONNAY, DOC MONTELLO COLLI ASOLANI, 2007 $32.17

Grape Variety

Prosecco

Aroma

Apple bouquet on a floral background

Taste

Semi-dry, fresh, lengthy palate, fruity finish

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Invite your friends and start the party!

Ideal with

Oven-poached fish in olive oil served with warm asparagus and melted butter

A small bottle but a mighty genie waits within Grape Variety

Verduzzo Friulano

Aroma

Balanced viscosity and acidity, luscious honey with fresh lemon and pears

Taste

Ripe, full, thick, luscious, endlessly long finish

Serve

8° C

Evolution

As is the case with all great dessert wines, this has no start and no end

Ideal with

Pâté de foie gras, blue cheese, sip it on its own

Fresh and zesty

6 BTLS/750 ML. $176.00

The fruit comes from Verduzzo vines grown on the estate lying close to the ancient city of Treviso, north of Venice. This region boasts of a multitude of interlocking denominations, producing both red and white wines, mostly dry but none as well-known as Soave, with which this wine shares many similarities. Sandy-coloured, with a fine, fresh bouquet of fragrant apples, the palate is full. Attractive sweet notes enhance the flavour offering ripe fruit characteristics lifted by a parting twist of lemon and notes of oatmeal biscuits. [03] M8 D8

4971

Classy party bubbly with a fragrant bouquet

6 BTLS/750 ML. $193.00

Top class Italian Chardonnay, it already has a well-developed yellow-golden colour with a fresh grapefruit nose augmented by well-defined tropical fruit, cream cheese and hazelnuts. Overall the bouquet is substantial with sweet, pink grapefruit joining melons and pears in the mouth to produce a texture that has a creamy dimension while the weight of the fruit adds greatly to the charm, length and mouth-feel. [00] M8 D8

Grape Variety

Verduzzo Friulano

Aroma

Apples, pears, floral notes

Taste

Off-dry, plenty of fruit, well-ripened, juicy

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Entirely ready

Ideal with

Warm caesar salad with grilled shrimp and scallops

From one of the world’s most beautiful vineyards Grape Variety

Chardonnay

Aroma

More like a New World than Old World wine

Taste

Fresh pineapple and melon

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Maturing steadily, it is already a fine aperitif

Ideal with

Cold lemon-buttered chicken with a tarragon cream sauce

ITALY, VENETO AZIENDA AGRICOLA VILLA DI MASER DI DIAMANTE LULING BUSCHETTI >>

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4972

MERLOT, DOC MONTELLO COLLI ASOLANI, 2006 $32.17

A triumphant pleasure

6 BTLS/750 ML. $193.00

All the classic French varietals have taken to their adopted Italian homes like ducks to water. This Merlot is a great example. Its colour is dark, plum-tinged with a fruity bouquet that offers ripe black fruit notes alongside some cleverly integrated oak and smoke. Sweet fruit surges through the palate, fresh, fragrant and lined with attractive oak and stalky, spice-accented acidity that gives it lively balance.

Friendly, warming, fruit-flavoured throughout, it has lots of charm. M8 D8

4973

CABERNET, DOC MONTELLO COLLI ASOLANI, 2006 $38.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $230.00

With eleven months in wood, this blend of the two Cabernets tastes as good as it looks. Right now, too young to have reached its best, it is a wine with both fragrance and effortless elegance. A deep purple, the ripe plums and spice bouquet offers a partnership between skilfully blended oak and fruit. In the mouth, layers of fresh flavours charged with black cherries and concentrated blackcurrant show this as a thoroughbred. Sleek and complete, it will continue to develop a classy structure. M7 D8

Grape Variety

Merlot

Aroma

Soft plum fruit with a slightly herbaceous element

Taste

Soft, juicy, sour plum, red cherry flavours

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Surprisingly forward, can be enjoyed immediately

Ideal with

Red meats, roasted or grilled, particularly lamb

The Villa is open all year round, don't miss a chance to visit Grape Variety

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Aroma

Spice, peppers and concentrated plum fruit

Taste

Complex flavours, chocolate, mocha, sweet oak, great balance

Serve

19° C

Evolution

Still youthful but is drinking well

Ideal with

Fillet of beef served with wild mushrooms and red wine gravy

Oenologist Dr. Donato Lanati (left) with Vittorio Dalle Ore

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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

ITALY, VENETO AZIENDA AGRICOLA VILLA DI MASER DI DIAMANTE LULING BUSCHETTI

Puglia

Inside the instep of Italy’s southern coastline

AGRICOLE RIZZELLO Cellino San Marco, Brindisi We have known Roberta Lupi for a number of years and have been consistently delighted by the quality of the wines we have selected from her portfolio. This year, expanding the selection has given us an opportunity to taste more wines and select those which we deem to be outstanding. Several of the unique names given to the new additions from Agricole Rizzello were inspired by the oenologist's fascination with archaeology and therefore, have archaeological origins. All of them are huge and several are produced from unusual vines that are unique to southern Italy.

The founder, Marco Rizzello

4974

NEGROAMARO, IGT SALENTO, 2007, TERRE D’UVA Massive colour, gentle heart $25.83

6 BTLS/750 ML. $155.00

If the title gives any pointers to the style of this wine, just wait until the opening of the bottle. The contents are inky black, rich, thick and one drop is sufficient to dye the teeth.

The variety is native to the extreme south, right into Italy’s heel, but while it is unknown elsewhere, more than seventy thousand acres are cultivated here. The nose is ripe and grapey, deep and rich; a true reflection of the colour. In the mouth, sweet juicy fruit fills the palate with colossal extract and modest levels of tannin which allow sour black cherry notes to last through to the finish. M8 D8

4975

PRIMITIVO, IGT SALENTO, 2007, TERRE D’UVA $27.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $165.00

The second of the unique local vines, this one is thought to be the ancestor of Californian Zinfandel. Deep, rich and dark, its name stems from the Italian for precocious, as it ripens so quickly. Picked early, it still packs in grape sugar which gives it power and a touch of residual sweetness to balance the sour cherry that adds one more nuance to the complexity in the mouth. Perfumed with mulberry and chocolate, the palate is fruity, tannic and balanced by acidity. M8 D8

ITALY, PUGLIA AGRICOLE RIZZELLO >>

Grape Variety

Negroamaro

Aroma

Sweet, ripe cherry, plum jam

Taste

Soft, mass of fruit, dry, tannic finish

Serve

15° C

Evolution

Easy to enjoy today

Ideal with

Roasted shoulder of baby lamb

Perfumed, high acidity, well-balanced Grape Variety

Primitivo

Aroma

Fresh fruit, currants, raspberries, plums

Taste

Good tannin available to cope with abundant fruit

Serve

16° - 18° C

Evolution

Matures well, but drink while fresh and youthful

Ideal with

Fresh pasta with mushrooms, “Parmigiana” aubergines with tomatoes and cheese

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4976

SALICE SALENTINO RISERVA, DOC, 2006, TERRE D’UVA $27.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $165.00

A splash of black Malvasia softens and enriches the austerity of the pungent spice of ripe Negroamaro to give this a full nose, accented with fruits of the forest, particularly earthy wild strawberries and mushrooms. Sweet kitchen spice, with mace and cinnamon, harmonize with soft notes of sandalwood and vanilla. The entry is quite tannic and drying, but it is quickly followed by piquant spice, black pepper and integrated hints of smoke and vanilla from its period in barrel. M7 D8

4977

6 BTLS/750 ML. $167.00

By mid-August the ripened clusters, picked from the low bush-trained vines, were hand-harvested and de-stemmed.

After crushing, the grape mash was macerated for eight days before fermentation. It was then aged for a year in steel to soften the structure while promoting the fruity characteristics that develop in this hot and arid southern part of the country. The wine now shows its fragrance, its attractive nose reminiscent of summer fruit compote and Mediterranean spices. The packed palate oozes jammy, baked red and black fruit flavours, a soft, well-integrated structure and leads to a long, dry finish. M7 D7

NOTTETEMPO, CHARDONNAY, IGT SALENTO, 2008, LE VIGNE DI SAMMARCO $35.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $210.00

From a sun-drenched limestone vineyard producing beautifully ripe fruit, this shows once more Chardonnay's versatility. Cool night harvesting was needed to retain the balance so that the finished wine remained harmonious. Made in a modern, fruit-driven style, with unmistakable Italian elegance, the fresh nose is filled with melon, pineapple and delicately toasted aromas. This follows through to the palate with sub-tropical fruit and green apple flavours balanced by crisp mineral acidity and well-integrated oak. [01] M7 D7

4979

CYPRAEA, DOC SALICE SALENTINO, 2008, LE VIGNE DI SAMMARCO $35.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $210.00

In the heel of Italy, Cypraea were shellfish given by local people to young girls to hope for fertility and to babies to bring good luck. Today, this ancient tradition is remembered in this white blend which combines the delicacy of wild flowers with ripe, tropical fruit. The colour is bright, light golden with a youthful, greenish tinge that mirrors the charming bouquet. Dry and crisp, with plenty of pineapple and ripe green apple flavours, all are laced with clean mineral and fresh malic acidity. [01] M8 D8

12

Grape Variety

Negroamaro, Malvasia

Aroma

Earthy, autumn leaves, ripe, soft fruit

Taste

Spice, red fruit, bitter chocolate, hint of vanilla

Serve

19° C

Evolution

Wonderful now, it has potential to develop further

Ideal with

White beans with sage and tomatoes [Fagioli all’Uccelletto]

PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA, DOC, 2007, TERRE D’UVA $27.83

4978

A warm companion for a cold night

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

Pure, unadulterated luxury Grape Variety

Primitivo

Aroma

Blueberries, blackcurrants, dark cherry, plum

Taste

Concentrated with silky tannins and a bittersweet finish

Serve

16° - 20° C

Evolution

Reaching its most appealing during this year

Ideal with

Tapas of chorizo sausage in red wine

A boutique beauty from the mystical south of Italy Grape Variety

Chardonnay

Aroma

Complex, subtle aromas of fruit, caramel and freshly baked bread

Taste

Golden, delicious apples, crisp, mouth-watering acidity

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Barely ready, but will emerge quickly

Ideal with

As an aperitif, oysters, pasta with a cream sauce, roasted poultry

Versatile white at home by the glass Grape Variety

Chardonnay, Malvasia

Aroma

Flowers, fruit and freshly sliced apple

Taste

Sturdy, dense, well-balanced

Serve

10° - 12° C

Evolution

Perfect, it will be great through this year and next

Ideal with

Baked sea bass with lemon and fennel

ITALY, PUGLIA AGRICOLE RIZZELLO >>

4980

PECTEN, IGT SALENTO, 2008, LE VIGNE DI SAMMARCO $35.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $210.00

Another unique wine, this one is produced from the fine quality, local Fiano Minutolo grape which had almost vanished. It has recently enjoyed a spectacular revival due in part to the elegant bouquet which shows fresh notes of lime blossom, white pears and pineapple as much as for the dry complexity and structure of the palate. The vines are mostly planted on ancient hazelnut plantations which appear to impart nuttiness to the wine. Fine, fresh acidity, hints of honey and vanilla and some fleshiness provide the sturdy platform for further development. [01] M8 D8

4981

BISSO, SALICE SALENTINO, DOC, RISERVA, 2006, LE VIGNE DI SAMMARCO $35.00

Grape Variety

Fiano Minutolo

Aroma

Elegant, floral, mineral aromas, a hint of honey

Taste

Ripe peaches and pears with clean, crisp acidity

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Enjoy while young

Ideal with

Daube of squid

The Italian Godfather of Zinfandel

6 BTLS/750 ML. $210.00

This wine is made from black Negroamaro grapes grown within sight of the coast on the degraded volcanic sand and clay terroir at a thousand feet above the sea. The monster-sized fruit characteristics need the softening effect of maturation for more than a year in French barrels. The Alliers forest is selected because this oak adds significant floral notes and vanilla to the opulent fruit. The bouquet, redolent of tobacco, cherry, violet and berries, mirrors powerful flavours that wrap around the palate.

Persistent tannins mingle with distinct background notes of plum, bitter cherry, strawberry jam and black pepper. M7 D7

4982

A little known but delicious refresher

Grape Variety

Negroamaro

Aroma

Berry fruits, floral fragrances, hint of smoke

Taste

Intense with soft fruit and oak tannins

Serve

18° C

Evolution

It has developed nicely, now showing generously in the mouth

Ideal with

Wild boar stew

ARCHE’E, NEGROAMARO-PRIMITIVO, IGT SALENTO, 2007

Whopping red for high days and holidays

$58.83

Grape Variety

Negroamaro, Primitivo

Aroma

Freshly made jam still in the copper pan

Taste

Overwhelming black fruit notes, alcohol and sturdy tannins

Serve

18° - 22° C

Evolution

Leave awhile, be patient, then try from time to time

Ideal with

Char-grilled lamb chops with roasted sliced aubergine and olives

6 BTLS/750 ML. $353.00

Any half and half blend of the region’s two deep purple grapes must be huge; this is wonderfully complete and unctuous. It has massive colour with a fine, elegant, fruity nose that is more blackberry than cassis and is spiced up with tar, liquorice and coffee. The aromas lead seamlessly into the mouth where the major impression is balanced thanks to the noble tannins that wrap around any excessive fruit notes. Lusty, rich, chunky and intense it is reluctant to leave the palate. M6 D6

Left to right: Winemaker - Vincenzo Laera, Son - Marco Rizzello, Oenologist Giuseppe Caragnulo, Owner - Franco Rizzello

ITALY, PUGLIA AGRICOLE RIZZELLO >>

NOVA SCOTIA

13

4983

ETRA, PRIMITIVO, IGT SALENTO, 2007 $42.67

Fruity enough to attract a bear to the cellar

6 BTLS/500 ML. $256.00

This local version of a “super Tuscan” is made from de-stalked bunches of individually chosen grapes, gently crushed over several hours then macerated at low temperature for 18 days prior to cooled fermentation in stainless steel tanks for a further 25 days. This lengthy process extracts the full colour and flavours of the fruit, allowing the tannins and acidity to reach soft, supple harmony. The bouquet is huge, a mid-summer pudding compote of black fruits and sweet spice followed by a rich, strong and densely packed palate with dark chocolate, vanilla and sandalwood notes. M7 D8

4984

AMIGDALA, DOC ALEATICO DI PUGLIA, 2007, NATURAL SWEET $42.67

Grape Variety

Primitivo

Aroma

Sweet spice, whiff of deep woods, complex, intense, persistent

Taste

A mass of fruit but perfectly structured with fine and elegant tannins

Serve

16° C

Evolution

Already complete, it will last a long while

Ideal with

Char-grilled lamb chops with aubergines and olives, cheeses, chocolate desserts

Big surprise, this is a big, fat sweet red - delectable!

6 BTLS/500 ML. $256.00

Until recently Aleatico di Puglia wines were only history, but now several producers are making a great effort to bring back lost popularity; even the stalwart classicist, Marchese Piero Antinori, is offering his own blended sweet version.

Richly flavoured, the first impression suggests substantial sweetness which is reinforced in the mouth where juicy dollops of succulence prove it to be far from dry. A very big wine, the nose says cranberries and wild fruit, while the jazzy flavours, stuffed with ample fruit, bilberry, blueberry and cassis, utterly fill the mouth. M8 D8

Grape Variety

Aleatico

Aroma

Plum, grape skins, white pepper, honeysuckle

Taste

Ripe red berries, strawberry jam

Serve

15° C

Evolution

Long lasting but will not benefit from ageing, drink within the next two years

Ideal with

Roast turkey with cranberry and chestnut stuffing, typical Salentino dessert “pasticciotto” (cream-filled pastry), candied almonds

Ringberg Castle

The Alto Adige

The German speaking province in the Dolomite Alps

AVENUE SRL. W. WALCH Termeno, Alto Adige, Südtirol Hard against the mountains and the Austro-German border, the Alto Adige has been the traditional crossing point for Italian produce for centuries. This promoted the growth of the “négociant” role in wine distribution, making this province the only part of Europe, apart from France, where this business flourished. Werner Walch, undoubtedly the most respected of the remaining “commercianti”, brings our wines, from the various regions throughout the country, to one location for export beyond the Italian borders. While Werner acts as our merchant and concentrates on export operations, his wife Elena makes the most respected wines of the entire region.

14

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

ITALY, PUGLIA AGRICOLE RIZZELLO >> ITALY, THE ALTO ADIGE AVENUE SRL. >>

Agricoltori Del Geografico – Toscana

4985

PINOT GRIGIO, DOC ALTO ADIGE, 2008, E. VON KELLER $30.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $180.00

Consistently scoring highly, this fine blend comes in part from the Walch domaine. A portion of the grapes was fermented in large oak barrels that produced no oak nuances but conferred a moderate measure of oxidation that broadened the flavours, which were reinforced when malolactic fermentation was completed. This juice was then married with wine fermented in stainless steel vats, producing a stunning final blend. Fresh, light, ebullient and vivid, all the subtle aromas come together without being sidelined by notes of wood or smoke. [00] M7 D8

BLANC, DOC ALTO ADIGE, 2007, E. VON 4986 SAUVIGNON KELLER $30.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $183.00

Werner collaborated with Elena to make this fresh charmer with perfect balance. It has a bright, clear colour with a hint of green and a bouquet of ripe hay, toast and vivid green fruit just picked off the gooseberry bush. The entry to the palate shows the complexity of all the parts with their soft textures, still fresh and jumbled, managing to finish with fine, lingering elements of gooseberry and elderberries.

[00] M7 D8

4987

PINOT NOIR, DOC ALTO ADIGE, PRENDO, 2006, WILHELM WALCH $29.83

Pinot Grigio as never better

6 BTLS/750 ML. $179.00

The appropriate conditions for Pinot Noir exist in few locations. It naturally excels in the villages of the Côte d'Or and here in the steep valleys of the Dolomites, where summer temperatures never reach extremes, but breezes blowing through the vineyards keep the ripening grapes cool, thus producing wines of real quality. Bright purple-red in colour, fresh with the scent of ripe berries and cherries, it is fullbodied with elevated flavour extraction, velvety tannins and a firm structure with minerality that anchors the red and black fruits. M7 D8

ITALY, THE ALTO ADIGE AVENUE SRL.

Grape Variety

Pinot Grigio

Aroma

Fresh, grassy notes, hints of green apples

Taste

Touch of honeyed richness, fresh, steely

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Delicious, will hold up well for two or three years

Ideal with

Light dishes, salads, fish dishes

The uniqueness of the bouquet and palate make it unmistakably Alto Adige Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma

Fresh, exotic, fragrant, tangy green fruit, mineral tones

Taste

Lively, green fruits lasting through to the crisp finish

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Within six months it will be delicious

Ideal with

Malpecque Oysters

Silken, very fine, polished wine Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

Soft red fruit, spicy, alcoholic notes, warm, pungent

Taste

Morello cherry, black plum, green herbs, liquorice

Serve

16° - 18° C

Evolution

It can be enjoyed now, but it has more life and development to emerge

Ideal with

Duck breast with porcini sauce, oven-baked river trout with black rice

NOVA SCOTIA

15

P

Valle d’Aosta

A tiny province in the shade of Mont Blanc 4988

VALLÉE D’AOSTE BLANC, DOC VALLÉE D’AOSTE, 2006, CAVE DU VIN BLANC DE MORGEX & DE LA SALLE $26.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $159.00

Normally known only to skiing fanatics, this delightfully simple white, filled with light fragrances and flavour, comes from vineyards that climb high up the slopes of Mont Blanc, as high as 4000 feet. The only significant producer is the local co-op, whose membership of 95 vignerons practically covers the entire production. Vineyards are planted with a unique grape grown on precipitous trellised terraces so high that there is almost no soil. It is natural for the wines to show flinty and mineral elements alongside interesting, green herbal notes mixed with subtle perfumes of windflowers. [00] M8 D9

4989

ENFER D’ARVIER, CLOS DEL’ENFER, DOC VALLÉE D’AOSTE, 2007, CAVE DU VIN BLANC DE MORGEX & DE LA SALLE $69.17

6 BTLS/750 ML. $415.00

Never forgetting that French is as much spoken here as Italian, this wine exhibits Gallic attributes. It is made by leading oenologist Gianluca Telloli, whose quirky title for the wine, Hell's Enclosure, comes from the constant sunshine at high altitude which is vital to the ripening of the grapes.

Among the growers there is a pioneering feeling that quality viticulture, at such altitudes and on impossible, steeply-terraced terrain, deserves greater recognition. Produced from a unique varietal, the Petit Rouge, the wine reveals blackcurrant, bramble and spice aromas with a rustic texture, grainy tannins and freshly picked pure fruit at the finish. M7 D8

16

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

Wine from where eagles fly Grape Variety

Blanc de Morgex, Blanc de Valdigne

Aroma

Fragrant, floral, sappy, lively

Taste

Fine balance, good lime-accented acidity, clean slate, pebble notes

Serve

10° C

Evolution

It is at its best

Ideal with

Shellfish, pasta in rich cream white sauces

Italian wine from a Gallic enclave Grape Variety

Petit Rouge

Aroma

Raspberry with bilberry, blueberry and redcurrant

Taste

Sappy, young, filled with mulberry juice and cranberry fruit

Serve

15° - 18° C

Evolution

Still green and fresh, but will mature quickly

Ideal with

Rack of lamb with redcurrant

ITALY, VALLE D'AOSTA, AVENUE SRL. >>

PiemonteThe only major rival to Tuscan supremacy

4990

GAVI SAN PIETRO, DOCG, 2008, TENUTA SAN PIETRO $36.67

4991

6 BTLS/750 ML. $220.00

One of Italy’s most fashionable whites

Opimian first featured wine from this estate in its earliest offerings from Italy when the vineyard belonged to the Count Spinola. Now, in new stewardship, it is recognized as one of the great producers of white wine in the Piemonte.

The product of the Cortese vine, it has an earthy nose expanded by notes of apples and white pears which carry through to the crisp, dry palate and firm structure.

Balanced, with a complex array of red and green apples, it slips away quietly with a mouth-watering dash of freshness and persistence. [00] M7 D8

Grape Variety

Cortese

Aroma

Light, fresh, mineral, citrus

Taste

Crisp, dry, ripe pears, red and green apples

Serve

8° C

Evolution

Cortese can mature well but it is better to catch its youthful energy

Ideal with

Bombay fish steamed in banana leaves, watercress salad with warm vinaigrette

DOLCETTO D’ALBA, DOC, VABEN, 2008, CANTINA TERRENOSTRE

Dolcetto means ‘sweet little one’ - this is neither little nor sweet

$23.67

6 BTLS/750 ML. $142.00

Although the word “Dolcetto” leads to thoughts of sweetness, nothing could be further from the dry, acidic balance of this wine. The vineyard, at close to 600 metres, is high for the region, being planted on a sandy slope at 25 degrees. The terroir water stresses the vines during the ripening season, building concentration in the layered fruit. It is similar to great village wines like Fleurie. This wine shows with lush cherry and blackberry leading to an autumnal leafy aroma and earthy, barnyard notes. Like Beaujolais wines it can be drunk wellcooled and, although young, it is ready to drink now. M7 D8

ITALY, PIEMONTE, AVENUE SRL. >>

Grape Variety

Dolcetto

Aroma

Fruity, fragrant, notes of cherry, redcurrant, apricot

Taste

Round, refreshing with redcurrants and more cherries

Serve

12° C [cooled] or 17° C [chambré]

Evolution

Enjoy while young

Ideal with

Pan-seared venison with rosemary and dried cherries

NOVA SCOTIA

17

4992

BARBERA D’ALBA, DOC, AJÉ, 2007, CANTINA TERRENOSTRE $24.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $146.00

This wine has the maker's complex hand upon it. It is vibrantly dark, a deep rustic red, with plum, blackberry and fig on the nose. Secondary aromas emerge with fragrant spices, red fruit and more plums and damsons. Surprisingly soft for such a powerful wine, it is strongly built around the layered structure which returns to the blackberry and finishes with ripe, well-rounded tannin and a hint of liquorice. M6 D7

4993

NEBBIOLO D’ALBA, DOC, 2006, BRICCO REALA, AZIENDA AGRICOLA BEL COLLE $40.83

6 BTLS/750 ML. $245.00

Modern winemaking, using temperature controlled fermentation, ensured that colour and aromas were extracted without “cooking” the wine. After fermentation, the wine was racked into small French oak barrels for twelve months to develop the colour, bouquet and flavour. Brilliantly blackish-red with attractive, bright highlights, it has an intense spice and fruit nose mingling with liquorice, vanilla and floral perfumes. Lovely in the mouth, it retains sufficient plumpness to give warmth to berry flavours surrounded by hints of oak and cinnamon spice. M7 D7

4994

6 BTLS/750 ML. $318.00

After 8 days of fermentation it was racked into French barrels where malolactic fermentation was completed. The wine then remained in wood for a further 22 months. After this period, it settled in steel tanks for 3 months before bottling and was allowed to rest for a further 12 months before release. After such painstaking character building it is now full-bodied, complex, dry and balanced with oak and a tannic structure. Notes of black pepper, blackberry, cassis, charred oak, tobacco leaf and vanilla carry through to the palate. M6 D6

BAROLO, DOCG, 2005, AZIENDA AGRICOLA BEL COLLE $61.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $368.00

Winemaker Paolo Torchio rates his 2005 highly, suggesting that the vintage is just a point away from exceptional. The wine originates from the Nebbiolo grape which produces full-flavoured, tannic and dense wines. In the last 15 years growers have moved away from the over-extracted, unequivocally tannic and austere styles and have embraced more flexibility and fruit with intricate aromas of liquorice, plums, red fruit and tar. Bel Colle's wine has a huge nose, complex and deserving attention while the palate is structured with compatible fruit and ripe tannin. It is surprisingly docile, even showing a hint of roses on the smooth finish. M6 D7

18

Grape Variety

Barbera

Aroma

Complex, intense, ripe berry aromas, vanilla nuances

Taste

Mouth-filling and earthy, with a redcurrant-core and touches of cinnamon spice

Serve

18° - 20° C

Evolution

Lock it away for a while

Ideal with

Lobster in a piquant tomato sauce [Aragosta alla Diavola]

Powerful fruit with an oak influence Grape Variety

Nebbiolo

Aroma

Faded roses and violets with a touch of cinnamon, aromatic hay and a splash of tar

Taste

Generous with a firm tannic layer of blackcurrant and resin

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Except for a touch of aggression, it is brilliant now

Ideal with

Balsamic roast pork with glazed apples

BARBARESCO, DOCG, 2005, CANTINA TERRENOSTRE $53.00

4995

Big and muscular

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

Too subtle to be a monster Grape Variety

Nebbiolo

Aroma

Every nuance under the sun, but mainly black fruit

Taste

Tough and tannic, needs time to harmonize

Serve

19° C

Evolution

More time is needed, but it is worth keeping

Ideal with

Vietnamese-style grilled pork steak with noodles

Perfect marriage between tradition and innovation Grape Variety

Nebbiolo

Aroma

Rich fruit, touches of chocolate and tar

Taste

Tannins and fruit are intense but ripe and provide great structure

Serve

18° - 20° C

Evolution

Wines like this have a decade-long life span

Ideal with

Tenderloin steaks with cranberry-port sauce

ITALY, PIEMONTE, AVENUE SRL.

Veneto Revisited Ca’ La Bionda – Barrel Room

4996

SOAVE, DOC, 2008, CANTINE DELIBORI $19.83

6 BTLS/750 ML. $119.00

Always dependable, Soave is a favourite to share with friends who drop in unexpectedly. Never too dry, nor sweet, neither too light nor full-bodied, it is the classic “down the middle” choice for everyday. Fresh and zesty, it has a straw colour with greenish hues. Intensely perfumed, peach and Acacia flowers mingle with pleasant citrus fruit flavours and balanced acidity. It is medium-bodied, elegant and ends with delicious hints of fresh fruit. [00] M8 D9

4997

VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO, DOC, 2008, CANTINE DELIBORI $22.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $135.00

The ancient Greeks called this “The valley of many cellars”.

What existed then still exists today. The region is dotted with small vineyards and farms where growers produce both grapes and wines which they sell to the large merchants. The grapes for this blend came from five villages in the heart of the region, fermented over 12 days at low temperature and bottled early to preserve the lively, red fruit characteristics. It has a deep colour with a bouquet of red berries, roses and minerals. It is fruity and fresh with light tannins and good length. M8 D8

ITALY, VENETO, AVENUE SRL. >>

It will keep you coming back for more Grape Variety

Garganega, Trebbiano

Aroma

Herbal notes, fresh lemon, apple zest

Taste

Light, easy, oatmeal, biscuit

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Enjoy now

Ideal with

Coconut-lime shrimp with peanut sauce, salmon with wild rice and watercress salad

Generous, lots of available fruit Grape Variety

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, Rossignola, Negrara

Aroma

Powered by cherries

Taste

Simple, plump, fresh

Serve

14° - 16° C

Evolution

Wine made to be enjoyed while young

Ideal with

Pasta dishes, cold sliced meats (affettati misti), liver and onion Venetian style (fegato alla Veneziana)

NOVA SCOTIA

19

4998

VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE, RIPASSO, DOC, 2006, CANTINE DELIBORI

A lesson in making a good wine into a great wine

$39.17

Grape Variety

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, Negrara, Rossignola

Aroma

Attractive notes of black cherry with vanilla

Taste

Well-managed oak adds chocolate, leather and smoke to the dark fruit

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Very good stamina, good now, keeps well

Ideal with

Roast pheasant with quince served with savoury breadcrumbs

6 BTLS/750 ML. $235.00

This is a classic, fruit-driven Valpolicella given extra depth and body through the “ripasso” process. This translates to the refermentation brought about by adding semi-dried, lightly pressed grapes, in the ratio 70:30, to an already fermented cuvée of young Valpolicella. This beefs up the body, flavour and alcohol with so much luscious fruit that it immediately becomes approachable. The ample bouquet highlights coffee and black cherry aromas and a juicy, redcurrant ripeness that lasts long in the mouth before ending with a kirsch liqueur nuance. M7 D7

4999

AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO, DOC, 2005, AZIENDA AGRICOLA CA’ LA BIONDA $74.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $444.00

After the harvest, selected bunches were placed on cane racks to facilitate the dehydration and “raisining” of the grapes. By early February they had lost 40% of their mass before the pressing and fermentation, followed by maturation for up to four years in steel tanks and small oak casks.

Further ageing in bottle secured the uniquely ripe attributes of the aroma and flavour. The colour is deep black-cherry yet the bouquet shows youthful fruitiness with cherries, mulberries and polished leather. In the mouth a hint of almonds, depth and richness carry the wine through to a long finish. M5 D6

Wine of sumptuous richness, a monster in sheep’s clothing Grape Variety

Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella

Aroma

Intense black cherry, vanilla, bitter chocolate, liquorice

Taste

Full-bodied, smooth tannins, balanced with a clean minerality

Serve

19° - 21° C

Evolution

After four years before bottling it will last another 12 - 20 years

Ideal with

Grilled steak, rich stews, game Agricoltori Del Geografico – Toscana

Toscana

Landscape of far horizons, hidden valleys, countless vineyards 20

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

ITALY, VENETO, AVENUE SRL. >> TOSCANA, AVENUE SRL.

5000

SANGIOVESE TOSCANO ROSSO, IGT, 2008, FRATELLI CORSI $17.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $102.00

The Fratelli Corsi do not use a set formula but simply blend to produce the “house” style. This is primarily Sangiovese, but other varietals bring complexity to the finished wine.

Fermented at 33° it was left to macerate on the skins for two weeks to extract colour and flavour before a short period in used oak barrels darkened the colour and added a note of cedar. It has a beautiful cassis, cherry and plum aroma, medium body and rich flavours. This is no Super Tuscan, but with fine tannins and a long, sweet fruit finish, it represents great value. M7 D8

5001

CHIANTI, DOCG, 2008, FRATELLI CORSI $20.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $123.00

Chianti, the most recognizable name of any Italian wine, may be produced in any of the provinces of Siena, Florence, Arezzo, Pisa and Pistoia. These areas are collectively known as the Tuscan Hills, sharing an ancient winemaking heritage based upon the classy Sangiovese vine. This cuvée from the Fratelli Corsi, has a bright red, ruby colour and an intensely aromatic nose with notes of leather, violets and capsicum. In the mouth the balance is perfect with red berry fruit, smoke, leather and bitter chocolate, all part of the classic signature of Chianti. M7 D7

5002

VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO, DOCG, CASA DELLA TERRA, 2008, AGRICOLTORI DEL GEOGRAFICO $27.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $164.00

Along a country road to the west of Siena is the township of San Gimignano, once a many towered city commune, but today a bustling tourist venue. The wine from vines grown nearby on sandy soil was the first to be added to the list of wines with the “DOCG” status. Giuseppe Bicocchi, President of the Agricoltori del Geografico, describes this wine by saying that his work started with the land and ended in the glass. It is showing a bright, straw colour and bouquet of freshly baked bread and fruit trees in full bloom while the fresh, dry flavour ends with crisp acidity. It seems he has a real winner. [00] M8 D8

5003

MORELLINO DI SCANSANO, DOC, TENUTA LE PRESELLE, 2008, AGRICOLTORI DEL GEOGRAFICO $38.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $230.00

The wine is produced from 30 year old vines planted on south and southwest facing vineyards on dry sandstone.

The dense planting restricts soil fertility, but increases the aroma and flavour in the wine. Harvested by hand in late September, there was long skin maceration with ageing in small French and American oak barrels for six months before bottling. The colour is a brick red with purplish depths while the fruit-driven nose features plums and red berries. The palate is structured, jammy and generous, with velvety tannins giving some grip towards the finish. M6 D7

ITALY, TOSCANA, AVENUE SRL. >>

A wonderful everyday red Grape Variety

Sangiovese

Aroma

Fruit, vanilla, chocolate, cedar

Taste

Grainy, muscular tannins, attractive already

Serve

10° C [as Beaujolais] or 18° C [chambré]

Evolution

Enjoy when you wish, as soon as you like

Ideal with

Broiled ham steaks with rhubarb chutney

Good grip, easy fruit, plenty of sinew Grape Variety

Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano, Malvasia

Aroma

Ripe red berry, blackberry, blackcurrant, vanilla, chocolate

Taste

Spice alongside a muscular structure

Serve

18° - 20° C

Evolution

Let it rest a while then try a bottle before the cold weather comes

Ideal with

Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and goat cheese

Attractive, even unforgettable Grape Variety

Vernaccia

Aroma

Minerals, lime, apples, pears, pineapple

Taste

Well-structured with balanced body and acidity

Serve

8° - 10° C

Evolution

It is only waiting for the corkscrew

Ideal with

Pistachio-crusted pork with plum sauce and fried leeks

A wine cherished by the Italian “cognoscenti” Grape Variety

Sangiovese

Aroma

Ripe cherry, black pepper, green leafy notes

Taste

Vigorous, freshly picked plums mixed with damson jam

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Good to enjoy young, it will age well

Ideal with

Pan-fried haunch of wild boar with tomatoes and white beans

NOVA SCOTIA

21

5004

CHIANTI CLASSICO, DOCG, LUCIGNANO, GALLO NERO, 2007, AGRICOLTORI DEL GEOGRAFICO $39.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $236.00

Geografico comprises over 120 estates of small to average size which produce the highest qualities of all the Chianti cooperatives. Notable among the members is the major vineyard of Castello di Lucignano where 50 year old Sangiovese and similarly-aged Canaiolo vines are spread over the sub-district of Radda towards Castellina. Harvested in early October, the grapes were allowed 15 days of fermentation for maximum extraction of colour and flavour. This yielded a dark, richly-pigmented, ruby-garnet wine with a typically perfumed Sangiovese nose of black cherry and spice with hints of wood smoke and tobacco. On the palate the firm structure is tempered by notes of well-integrated oak and varietal fruit showing complexity with full, ripe tannins, balanced acidity and a long finish. M5 D6

5005

ROSSO DI MONTALCINO, DOC, CASTELLO TRICERCHI, 2007, AGRICOLTORI DEL GEOGRAFICO $46.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $278.00

From a modest beginning forty years ago, when 13 growers founded the Agricoltori del Geografico, it has become Tuscany's pre-eminent producer. This huge, strong wine, from the south of the region, has massive colour and a concentrated bouquet emphasizing black cherry, cassis and vanilla ice cream. On the palate coffee and tar mix with berries giving great length, concentrated fruit and structured tannins, a result of the fruit and the Alliers oak used for maturation. M6 D7

5006

CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA, DOCG, CONTESSA DI RADDA, GALLO NERO, 2005, AGRICOLTORI DEL GEOGRAFICO $48.67

6 BTLS/750 ML. $292.00

Estate wines from Radda and Castellina, the best areas for Chianti, were hugely popular until a major price hike crushed the market. Now the tender shoots of revival and realism by the growers have brought back the demand for wines of this class and elegant style. This intense wine has a sophisticated structure with real finesse. It is ruby-red with youthful purple tones which lift the intense bouquet out of the glass in a spectrum of blackberry, raspberry, violets and vanilla. Mellow in the mouth, the velvety body has a forward and generous flavour, rich in tannins and persisting with a piquant grip. M6 D6

5007

Grape Variety

Sangiovese, Canaiolo

Aroma

Full, rich, hints of violets

Taste

Balanced with great structure allied to fine fruit

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Big wine, great stamina, good for 10 to 14 years

Ideal with

Roast leg of lamb with rosemary, lemon, and garlic with roast potatoes

Unsung, quietly overlooked, but worthy of a place in any cellar Grape Variety

Sangiovese Grosso

Aroma

Multi-layered aromas of dark cherry and dried plum

Taste

Mineral, pencil-wood, suggestions of tobacco leaf, pulpy fruit, expressive tannins

Serve

18° - 20° C

Evolution

Big tannins will slow down development, it will be lovely given your patience

Ideal with

Steak with provolone and mushroom sauce

Welcome the day with another “black cockerel” Chianti Grape Variety

Sangiovese, Canaiolo

Aroma

Vanilla with smoke notes, warm impressions

Taste

Dry fruit, earthy, chocolate, raspberry, spicy tannin

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Better to put it away and just look at the case for a year or three

Ideal with

Braised pork loin cutlets with thyme-lemon sauce

VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO, DOCG, CERRAIA, 2006, AGRICOLTORI DEL GEOGRAFICO

A pocket-sized giant inside the bottle

$53.17

Grape Variety

Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo, Mammolo

Aroma

Bursting with small black berries, cassis

Taste

Leather, vanilla, tar, blackberries

Serve

18° - 20° C

Evolution

Leave for a year or two; remember to decant an hour before serving

Ideal with

Chicken alla Diavola (devil’s-style) - Barbecued with a lemon, black pepper and herbs marinade

6 BTLS/750 ML. $319.00

Towering to over 600 metres the village of Montepulciano crowns one of Tuscany's major hill tops. The vineyards, spreading like a waving green skirt, cover the steep terraces below the village. As a young wine, this was as tough as an old leather boot, but when tasted recently it had softened and become supple, strongly flavoured, intense and harmonious. Packing a massive fruit punch, the bouquet is dark blue plums and damsons, the palate, a mixture of juicy ripe fruits; it has enough muscular tannin to add layers of structure and length. M6 D6

22

A stunning wine from Chianti’s best district

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

ITALY, TOSCANA, AVENUE SRL. >>

5008

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO, DOCG, CASTELLO TRICERCHI, 2004, AGRICOLTORI DEL GEOGRAFICO $80.83

6 BTLS/750 ML. $485.00

Alongside the great “black rooster” Chiantis, this is a Tuscan superstar. In fact, it is said that the Brunello, a wine of great complexity and structure, is the King of Tuscany. Produced from 10 year old Sangiovese vines yielding a modest 5 tonnes per hectare, the harvest took place in mid-October. The crushed grapes were macerated for three weeks before fermentation and malolactic transfer in stainless steel tanks was followed by transfer to French oak barrels. Gorgeous aromas reveal currants, berries, creosote and tar with vanilla notes. Full-bodied, the well-integrated tannins lead to a long, expressive and fruity finish. This is a very special wine, rich and elegant. M5 D6

Very big, ripe and harmonious Grape Variety

Sangiovese

Aroma

Forest fruit, small berries, wood smoke, fallen forest leaves

Taste

Meaty, savoury, crammed with loganberry and dried herbs

Serve

19° C

Evolution

Ready, but will develop further with age

Ideal with

A “vino per la meditazione”, red meat, roasts, fowl, game, mature cheeses

Le Marche - Trebbiano grapes

Le Marche

A unique region, far from the crowds of tourists

ITALY, TOSCANA, AVENUE SRL. >> LE MARCHE, AVENUE SRL. >>

NOVA SCOTIA

23

5009

VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO, DOC, FOLLONICA, 2008, CASA VINICOLA S. PIERSANTI & C. $15.42

12 BTLS/750 ML. $185.00

On a warm summer day there is hardly a wine to beat this one for a charming drink in the garden or under a spreading tree. It is as fresh as new mown grass, balanced by nothing more than its simple vinosity. From the picking of the grapes, unloading, crushing and pressing, everything is done with maximum care to avoid unwanted maceration and fermentation so that all the nuances of the bouquet and flavours remain soft and supple. Pale and watery yellow, with youthful greenish reflections and a delicately fragrant bouquet, it is dry with clean citrus flavours of lemon, lime and grapefruit and ends with a typical hazelnut aftertaste. [00] M8 D9

5010

ROSSO PICENO, DOC, 2008, CASA VINICOLA S. PIERSANTI & C. $15.25

Charming and light, perfect for a picnic Grape Variety

Verdicchio, Trebbiano, Malvasia

Aroma

Green fruit, kiwis, apples, passion fruit

Taste

Rich but sharp, almost salty, mineral edge

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Matures quickly, fine for a year or two

Ideal with

Quaff and enjoy as a refresher

Great value, a barely known quality wine

12 BTLS/750 ML. $183.00

Founded fifty years ago by Giovanni Piersanti with his children Silveria and Carlo, Casa Vinicola Piersanti has become one of the leading wineries of the province. Their blend of Sangiovese with Montepulciano includes a small addition of Cabernet Sauvignon, all picked in late September and fermented together. With a youthful purple colour it has already developed a medley of pungent balsam and fragrant heathland flowers interleaved with bright fruit and nicely balanced soft tannins that project nuances of wood char, vanilla, varietal spice and wild red berries. Densely packed fruit, with touches of chocolate, gives a widely appealing, lingering finish. M6 D7

Grape Variety

Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

Wild red fruits, gorse and broom flowers, mocha

Taste

Very young, still rather tough, grape tannins dominate the palate

Serve

18° - 20° C

Evolution

It will take a while but it is worth being patient; will live for 5 – 7 years

Ideal with

Meat garnished pizzas, pasta dishes

Orvieto - Umbria

UmbrDiscover ia the wines of a lesser-known region

24

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

ITALY, LE MARCHE, AVENUE SRL. >> UMBRIA, AVENUE SRL. >>

5013

ORVIETO CLASSICO, DOC, 2008, FRATELLI CORSI $17.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $105.00

Orvieto stands like a column of grey rock and volcanic tufa out of the plain, towering above the road to Rome. The vineyards outgrew the local fields long ago and now spread towards the east. With expansion the economy of the area improved and drew in larger growers from Tuscany who cleared away the old, drab, oxidized, raffia-covered bottles and now produce wines of real class. Dry and generous, this wine is lively and filled with zest, with bright gold glints in the glass and lemons with a hint of honey on the nose.

The palate shows a smooth, elegant balance of fruit, body and acidity with a nutty finish. [00] M8 D8

5014

GRECHETTO DELL'UMBRIA, IGT UMBRIA, 2008, CANTINA TERRE DE’ TRINCI $22.50

6 BTLS/750 ML. $135.00

Of all the white varietals of Italy, this stands head and shoulders above the rest. Although it is most frequently blended with Trebbiano to produce wines such as Orvieto, it shows the depth of its quality when bottled alone. The thick-skinned grapes give an intense straw, golden colour with a distinctly nutty component, while the fragrant nose, more apples and white cherries than peaches, imparts an interesting touch of caramel. Intensely flavoured, it is perfectly dry, fruity and persistent and ends with typical notes of almonds and hazelnuts. [00] M8 D8

5015

“CAJO”, IGT UMBRIA, 2006, CANTINA TERRE DE’ TRINCI $31.17

6 BTLS/750 ML. $187.00

The growers permit the vines to yield only two bottles in an effort to restrict the harvest while increasing the colour and complexity of the wine. Made from Sagrantino, a grape well-known by the Romans, in recent years planted acreage has declined to 250 acres. It is considered to be Umbria’s most important red grape and vineyards are being renewed with gathering pace. Thick-skinned with small berries, but big in every other way, it resembles no other wine. Purple-red in colour, it has complex creosote, liquorice and a dark fruit aroma with powerful spiciness that dominates the palate with flavours of red fruit and tongue gripping tannin. M6 D7

If you like clean, flinty characteristics, then this wine is for you Grape Variety

Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbiano

Aroma

Crisp, juicy, citrus fruit

Taste

Zesty with a fresh lime and almond finish

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Drink tonight, it loves youth

Ideal with

Pasta with cream sauce

Smooth and elegant, a grape rarely seen unblended Grape Variety

Grechetto

Aroma

Distinctly fresh and zesty

Taste

Intense, clean, savoury and fruity

Serve

10° - 12° C

Evolution

Stalky now, but with six months in bottle it will be lovely

Ideal with

Drink on its own as an aperitif

Unusually complex, a wonderful drink when mature Grape Variety

Sagrantino, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

Complexities of the three varieties in the blend

Taste

Good balance with fine, pronounced tannins, spicy, fruity, silken notes

Serve

16° - 18° C

Evolution

It takes a short while and a little patience

Ideal with

Roast chicken with a rich tomato and mushroom sauce

Wine brings to light the hidden secrets of the soul, “gives being to our hopes, bids the coward flight, drives dull care away, and teaches new means for the accomplishment of our wishes.

”

Horace Roman philosopher, (65-8 BC)

ITALY, UMBRIA, AVENUE SRL.

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Abruzzo

The furthest north region of southern Italy and the furthest south region of northern Italy

Azienda Agricola Camillo Montori

5016

PECORINO COLLI APRUTINI, IGT, 2008, AZIENDA AGRICOLA CAMILLO MONTORI $37.00

6 BTLS/750 ML. $222.00

This modern family-owned estate covers some 70 hectares.

Like many of Italy’s indigenous varietals, Pecorino was on its way to the re-cycle bin of history when it was rescued by a committed producer, in this case the Montori family. It was determined that, with a restricted yield, the grape produced an excellent wine of great individuality with a straw yellow colour, a fruity, floral nose and clearly defined mineral notes. Like many fine whites this offers the freshness of sliced green apples with good concentration at the centre and finely balanced acidity at the end. [00] M8 D8

5017

MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO, DOC, 2008, FRATELLI CORSI $16.83

6 BTLS/750 ML. $101.00

This is very much a work-horse among Italian reds. Always tannic, rather rustic and gruff, it shows the bite of its tannin.

A brooding wine, it is dark, opaquely purple in the glass with dominant, red and black fruit aromas, integrated cedar oak and hints of black pepper and liquorice. The palate is concentrated, structured and well-balanced with ripe black cherry, blackberry fruit, a mineral edge and a long finish coated with a layer of tannic oak. M7 D8

26

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 187

A little piece of history revived Grape Variety

Pecorino

Aroma

Fresh, grapey, sliced apple, pear, lemon notes

Taste

Hints of pear skins, mineral notes of acidity

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Drinks perfectly now

Ideal with

Fish, salads, soft Pecorino cheese

The archetype of Italian country reds Grape Variety

Sangiovese, Montepulciano

Aroma

Earthy, leathery, black cherry, purple plums

Taste

Tough tannins, masses of red fruit add balance

Serve

18° - 20° C

Evolution

Tough as leather and will remain so, drink upon arrival

Ideal with

Oven-baked penne with a meat and tomato sauce

ITALY, ABRUZZO, AVENUE SRL.

Sicilia Island in the sun

5018

CATARRATO, IGT SICILIA, FIORDILIGI, 2008, AZIENDA BAGLIO CARUSO $28.67

6 BTLS/750 ML. $172.00

Maria Concetta Caruso Merendino says that her wines come from a magical terroir; it is difficult for us to argue with this statement. In the northwest of the island, where clay mixed with cobblestones provides the soil, the Catarrato variety produces quality wine. The grapes, picked in the early morning when chilled, are crushed immediately to avoid risk of oxidation, resulting in a delicate green-hued, silver white with intense mineral and lime fruit and notes of rose petals, pomegranate and strawberries. On the palate, delicate lime-tasting, acidic fresh notes bring lightness without angularity to a pristine finish. [00] M8 D8

5019

SYRAH, IGT SICILIA, RUGGIERO, 2007, AZIENDA BAGLIO CARUSO $33.33

6 BTLS/750 ML. $200.00

Until refrigeration was introduced to isolated villages, with high temperatures, Sicily was famous only for its fortified Marsala. However, once the Seagram Company showed that great whites and red table wines could be made, the fine wine industry was launched. Among local varieties it is the imported Syrah from France that makes the best red.

Steel vats were used to conserve the primary characteristics of the fruit. The deep colour is an indication of fruit ripeness which reveals notes of primary cherry and piquant spice. Ruggiero, appropriately dedicated to a medieval knight of great strength, shows power and rich warmth.

M7 D7

ITALY, SICILIA, AVENUE SRL.

A wonderful thirst-quencher Grape Variety

Catarrato

Aroma

Fresh, flinty, aromatic

Taste

Light, perfectly balanced citric acidity

Serve

8° - 10° C

Evolution

Wait for a sunny day, then enjoy

Ideal with

Pasta with fresh tuna and courgettes, seafood, oysters, raw swordfish, sushi

A brambly Syrah that cannot be compared to those from the Rhône Grape Variety

Syrah

Aroma

Spicy, berries, black fruit, hints of tar

Taste

Cherries, blackberries with leafy briar, gentle tannins add firm impressions

Serve

17° to 18° C

Evolution

Supple, succulent and ripe for drinking now

Ideal with

Stuffed pastas, rabbit stew, risotto with mushrooms

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27

COUPON PROGRAMS

WINE PROGRAMS

Refer a new member, and upon joining, the new member will receive a Free Case Coupon and you will receive a Referral Case Coupon.

OPIMIAN SELECT

WWW.OPIM.CA or 800-361-9421

A Selection of our Wines

NEW MEMBERS With your valid Free Case Coupon, choose one of the 6 bottle cases listed below, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice).

REFERRING MEMBERS With your valid Referral Case Coupon, choose one of the 6 bottle cases listed below, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice) OR Redeem your valid Referral Case Coupon for a Wine Credit (based on tenure) and apply against a case of your choice, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice).

Receive a mixed case (6 bottles) from a region’s most representative wines from every offering. This is a great way to sample the many styles, grape varietals, and terroir from the world’s best wine-producing regions.

YOUR FREE CASE CHOICES FOR THIS CELLAR OFFERING

A Collection of Premium Wines

CORNELLANA SAUVIGNON BLANC, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2008 4887 YOUR FREE CASE 6CHOICES Coupon BTLS/750 MLFOR THIS CELLAR OFFERING

5011 4888

Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 4891, available only with the

VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO, DOC, FOLLONICA, 2008, CASA coupon as explained above.

VINICOLA S. PIERSANTI & C. Coupon 6MERLOT/CABERNET BTLS/750 ML CORNELLANA SAUVIGNON ROSE, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2008 Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 5009, available only with the Coupon 6 BTLS/750 coupon as explained above. ML Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 4893, available only with the coupon as explained above.

FOUNDERS’ CHOICE

Receive one premium wine (6 bottles) from Opimian’s most trusted suppliers.

Every Founders’ Choice selection features a dedicated back label and we provide a detailed description of each wine region, terroir, winemaking style, grape type, and food match.

The Founders’ Choice feature supplier is Bernard Srl. Avenue Perrin.

PICENO, DOC, 2008, CASA VINICOLA S. PIERSANTI & C. , 5012 ROSSO CORNELLANA SAUVIGNON, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2008 Coupon BTLS/750 ML 4889 Coupon 66CABERNET BTLS/750 ML

These wines are not available on the Cellar Offering and can only be ordered through reserving on these programs.

For an application, please visit our website, www.opim.ca, “Downloads” section OR call us at 800-361-9421.

Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 5010, available only with the Packaged in cases ofabove.

6, this is the same wine as lot 4894, available only with the coupon coupon as as explained explained above.

opim.ca CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE FOR CELLAR OFFERING 187

• Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum nor maximum required.

• 4 ways to order: Online: www.opim.ca Email at: opim@opim.ca Phone: 800-361-9421 Fax: 514-481-9699

• Last day to order for this Cellar Offering: February 2009 March 23,16, 2009

• A valid 2009 membership card is required to order and pick up.

• Expected arrivals at Canadian Port: End of June, 2009.Arrival Arrivaldates datesatat July, 2009. liquor boards depend on their distances from port of entry.

• Methods of Payment: Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or by cheque made out to Opimian in Trust.

• Release dates: Dependent upon actual arrival dates, and processing time required by each liquor board.

• Your order status: Updated weekly at www.opim.ca.

SYMBOLS

Members’ Choice

White

Drink this year

Red

Enjoyable now; will develop 6 months-2 years

This symbol denotes wines most ordered

by Opimian members. These are consistently popular with our membership at large.

Opimian Suggests

Rosé

Heavy oak

Medium concentration

Light in body

Medium oak

Light oak

Less than 100 cs available

Extremely limited quantities

Very limited quantities

Limited quantities

Degrees of Maturity (M) (Scale of 1-10) 1 = lay down 10 = fully mature Degrees of Drinkability (D) (Scale of 1-10) 1 = needs time 10 = ready to drink Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes, including G.S.T & H.S.T #R 105 233 217 • Q.S.T #1000640430

Appeared in the C179 Select Cases C180 (2008 Season)

To help novice members, this symbol is a guide to wines that are suitable for starting a cellar, and/or for drinking within two years of delivery.

Wine meant for laying down

Sparkling

Great concentration

Medal Winner

Sweetness scale

gms/litre

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

0-3 4-6 7 - 12 13 - 20 21 - 34 35 - 50 51 - 74 75 - 100 101 - 139 140 - 179 180 >

Examples Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds Some New World Varietals, some reds Champagne, Sparklers, Rosés, few reds Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace, dry White Port Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat Auslese, Beerenauslese Ice Wines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Ice Wines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese

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