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RECIPES WINE GUIDE
ITALIAN WINE GUIDE 2019 The Critics Gabriel Riel-Salvatore is an Italian-Canadian journalist and consultant who has been involved in the wine industry for over 15 years. He has been the editor-at-large and resident wine expert at Panoram Italia for the past eight years and collaborated with specialized wine magazines such as Gambero Rosso (Italy), Cellier (Canada) and Wine & Degustation (Czech Republic). He is now living and working in Prague. Marco Giovanetti is an Italian-Venezuelan wine writer based in Montreal. In addition to being a wine blogger for Panoram Italia, he also writes weekly wine chronicles for The Montreal Times as well as for several International photo / Farhi Yavuz
Legend DOCG: Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita DOC: Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Types of wine Red wine
digital wine magazines including Gastronomadas in Mexico and Sommelier magazine in Peru. He is also the publisher of two specialized wine blogs: ilvinodimarco.com and spainwineguide.com.
Service Ready to drink
White wine Sparkling wine
IGT: Vino a Indicazione Geografica Tipica
Liqueur
PI: Private import
Organic
Rosé
Ready to drink or keep until indicated
Rating
☆ Ordinary (75-79) ☆☆ Good (80-84)
☆☆☆ Very good (85-89)
☆☆☆☆ Excellent (90-94)
☆☆☆☆☆ Sublime (95-100)
Start drinking or Keep until indicated
N.B.: The prices incidated are subject to changes relative to the LCBO price policy. The wines are rated according to a universal scale system. Panoram Italia acknowledges and is grateful to the Italian Trade Commission of Toronto in its continued support and cooperation for the Italian Wine Guide.
Abruzzo Fantini Farnese Chardonnay 2018 Farnese Chardonnay IGP LCBO#569087 $8.90
Abruzzo Fantini Farnese Montepulciano 2017 Farnese Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC LCBO#621912 $8.90
Aromas of pear and vanilla caramel. On the palate, medium acidity with retronasal sensations consistent with the nose.
Heady nose of ripe prune and black cherry with a touch of pepper. Easy to drink with soft tannins and a digest drinkability.
** 81/100
** 83/100
Abruzzo Fantini Farnese Lot 23 Casale Vecchio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 Farnese Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC LCBO#612788 $10.95
Abruzzo Riparosso 2017 Azienda Agricola Dino Illuminati Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC LCBO#269985 $13.95
Sweet and heady black fruit with a touch of musk and licorice. Medium body, quite acid with rustic tannins and a vinous finale.
A nose reminiscent of prunes and black cherry jam with nuances of dark chocolate and a touch of tar mixed with Christmas spice. Full body and structured with muscular tannins. Medium plus finale.
** 84/100
**84/100 Friuli-Venezia Giulia Pinot Grigio Villa Canlungo Eugenio Collavini Collio DOC LCBO#33340 $15.00 A bouquet reminiscent of sour lemon and tonic water. On the mouth, medium body with a crisp and citrusy finale.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia Pinot Grigio Villa Canlungo (250 ml) Eugenio Collavini Collio DOC LCBO#10101 $4.95 A bouquet reminiscent of sour lemon and tonic water. On the mouth, medium body with a crisp and citrusy finale.
**82/100 **82/100
Friuli-Venezia Giulia Pierpaolo Pecorari Chardonnay 2018 Azienda Agricola Pierpaolo Pecorari Friuli DOC LCBO#895325 $27.60
Friuli-Venezia Giulia Pierpaolo Pecorari Pinot Grigio 2018 Azienda Agricola Pierpaolo Pecorari Friuli DOC LCBO#895325 $27.60
Alluring white fruit with spices and tarte tatin. Medium body, lacking a bit of unity in the midpalate, but the wine picks up in the finale.
Banana cream with yellow prunes and orchard fruit nuances. Nice and crisp with a racy finale.
***85/100
***87/100
GUIDE WINE RECIPES
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ItaliaAdesso Chardonnay 2016 Cesari Vino d’Italia LCBO#572461 $8.75
Italia Adesso Merlot 2016 Cesari Vino d’Italia LCBO#572453 $8.75
Ripe plantain with a hint of floral nuances. Light body, simple and modest.
Primary fruit aromas such as cherry and prune. Leathery with barnyard aromas. Highly extracted with a low acidity and short finale.
**80/100
Piemonte Costalunga Barbera d’Asti DOCG 2016 Bersano Barbera d’Asti DOCG LCBO#348680 $14.05
2027 Piemonte Broccardo Barbera D’Alba 2016 Agricola Fratelli Broccardo SSA Barbera D'Alba DOC LCBO#891134 $23.95
Raspberry and licorice with charming field berries aromas. Polished on the palate, with a good acidity, medium tannins and a lingering finale.
Dark and ripe dark fruit profile. Medium body with a sharp acidity. Structured with muscular tannins.
***86/100
***87/100
*75/100
Puglia Fantini Farnese Sangiovese 2017 Farnese Puglia IGT LCBO#512327 $8.90
Puglia Fantini Farnese Negroamaro 2017 Farnese Puglia IGP LCBO#143735 $9.40
Tar, cherry, kirsch with typical Nebbiolo nuances of dry roses. Delicious and quite accessible to drink with streamlined tannins. Perfect finale.
Coffee bean, mocha, overall a charming nose. Ripe and extracted with smooth tannins. Quite attractive wine.
****94/100
***85/100
Violets, raspberry with a hint of prune and blackberries. Modest flavours on the palate. Overall a technical wine. Well made but lacks some character.
Piemonte Barbaresco 2015 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG LCBO#708826 $59.00
**83/100
Puglia Luccarelli Primitivo 2017 Farnese Vini Srl Puglia IGT LCBO#253856 $10.45 Coffee, caramel, overall a nice alluring nose. Medium to full body with soft tannins and medium finale. **81/100
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RECIPES WINE GUIDE
2025 Puglia Torcicoda Primitivo 2017 Tormaresca - Marchesi Antinori SRL Salento IGT LCBO#11331631 $18.55
2023 Puglia Il Falcone 2013 Rivera Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG LCBO#10675466 $23.45
Sicilia Fantini Farnese Pinot Grigio 2018 Farnese Terre Siciliane IGP LCBO#391631 $9.95
Sicilia Il Passo Verde Nero d’Avola 2017 Vigneti Zabu Sicilia DOC LCBO#628974 $13.95
Very heady on the nose with jammy blackberry fruit and a hint of smoke with some balsamic tones. On the palate, it is quite expressive with grainy tannins and a long medicinal finale.
Very elegant with nice dry fruits aromas paired with cedar and cigar box aromas. Quite refined and harmonious on the palate.
On the palate, pineapple with white nectarines and a touch of citrus. Medium body with a crisp finale.
Aromas of green olives and mint. Modest wine with ripe tannins and packed with simple black fruits flavours.
**82/100 ****90/100
**83/100
***88/100
Toscana Straccali Chianti DOCG 2016 Rocca delle Macie Chianti DOCG LCBO#621227 $12.95
Toscana Cecchi Chianti DOCG 2017 Cecchi Chianti DOCG LCBO#490144 $14.95
Toscana Vernaiolo Chianti DOCG 2017 Rocca delle Macie Chianti DOCG LCBO#269589 $14.95
Toscana Monte Antico Super Tuscan 2014 Monte Antico with Empson & Co. Toscana IGT LCBO#69377 $15.95
Basic aromas of entry level Chianti. Hints of blackcurrants and some flowery tones. Polished in the midpalate with delicate tannins.
A decent Chianti that has a nice balance of berry fruit, light peppery notes and light tannins. Nice drinkability, but not outstanding.
Aromas reminiscent of leather with black cassis complemented by cracked black pepper. Medium body and rustic with grainy tannins.
Vegetable nuances in the bouquet reminiscent of bell pepper, herbs and roasted tomatoes. On the palate, savoury red fieldberries nuances. Firm tannins and a medium complex finale.
**84/100
**82/100 **83 /100
**84/100
Toscana Chianti Riserva 2016 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Riserva DOCG LCBO#111641 $15.95
Toscana Dal Cero Sangiovese 2016 Dal Cero Tenuta Montecchiesi Toscana IGT LCBO#873505 $17.15
2023 Toscana Chianti Classico 2017 Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico DOCG LCBO#741769 $18.95
Sexy blackcurrant flavours complemented by leather and licorice. Attractive with chalky tannins and a long finale.
Beautiful nose reminiscent of black plums, roasted herbs mixed with soft flowery undertones. Broad tannins and a digest finale. Excellent value for the price.
Rich and heady with red fruits and licorice aromas. On the palate, polished mouthfeel with velvety tannins. A stylish wine.
***86/100
***87/100 ***86/100
2024 Toscana Castello di Albola Chianti Classico 2016 Casa Vinicola Zonin Chianti Classico DOCG LCBO#339937 $19.95 Nose bursting with notes of strawberry, red berries, sage, spice cake and earthy undertones. Vibrant and medium bodied, revealing lively cherry and exotic spice with polished tannins and a delicate finish. ***87/100
2024 Toscana Baracchi O’Lillo 2016 Azienda Agricola Riccardo Baracchi Toscana IGT LCBO#878827 $24.30 Leather with delicious aromas of stewed red berries such as strawberries. Fleshy with good muscular tannins and an earthy finale.
2023 Toscana Crognolo 2016 Tenuta Sette Ponti Toscana IGT LCBO#942623 $24.95 Very alluring fruit with gentle spicy overtones and a touch of cedar. Rich and mouth filling with fine grained tannins.
2024 Toscana Rosso di Montalcino 2015 Col d'Orcia Rosso di Montalcino DOC LCBO#942623 $24.95
2026 Toscana Le Volte dell’Ornellaia 2016 Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Toscana IGT LCBO#964221 $29.95
Exciting and complex nose of strawberries, cherries and raspberries. Structured and very refined tannins. Lovely wine.
Graphite, blackberries, a touch of red bell pepper, smoke or charred wood. Classic Ornellaia style. Well made.
***88/100
***89/100
****91/100 ***89/100
2023 Toscana La Vite Lucente 2016 Luce Della Vite Toscana IGT LCBO#747030 $34.95
2026 Toscana Poggio Landi, Brunello di Montalcino 2013 Dievole DOCG Brunello di Montalcino LCBO#573980 $50.00
Deep, concentrated nose. Quite oaky with notes of dark plum, cassis and balsamic reduction. Quite extracted and jammy. On the international style.
Shows some Sangiovese Grosso character, yet overshadowed by oak. On the palate, it has very ripe tannins with a generous structure. Lacks some balance.
2026 Toscana Brunello di Montalcino 2013 Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG LCBO#660746 $69.95 Lots of depth in the bouquet. Montecristo cigar, cedar with blackcurrants. Structured and racy with very fine tannins. Quite elegant with a long finale.
***86/100 ****91/100
*****95/100
2026 Toscana Moz Art Wine Brunello di Montalcino2014 Il Paradiso di Frassina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG LCBO#551580 $67.00 Classic expression of Brunello di Montalcino. Wild cherries, raspberries complemented by licorice and dry herbs. On the mouth, juicy with polished and refined tannins. ****92/100
GUIDE WINE RECIPES
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Trentino Alto-Adige Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2018 Mezzacorona Trentino DOC LCBO#302380 $14.95
Trentino Alto-Adige Bollini Pinot Grigio 2017 Bollini Trentino DOC LCBO#951319 $17.95
Expressive white wine with flavours reminiscent of pear and apple. Medium body with a fresh, vibrant finale.
The nose is reminiscent of orchard fruits such as Japanese pear and yellow apple. Ripe on the palate with a medium acidity.
***85/100
**82/100
Veneto Negrar Garganega 2017 Cantina Valpolicella Negrar Verona IGT LCBO#524488 $9.95
Veneto Negrar Corvina 2017 Cantina Valpolicella Negrar Verona IGT LCBO#519199 $9.95
Modest nose reminiscent of peach and jasmine with a slight hint of green banana. Creamy texture with an easy going finale.
Perfumed nose. Delicate nuances of tar and raspberry complemented by licorice and violet undertones. Fruity with a good balance and round tannins.
**83/100 ***85/100
Veneto Pinot Grigio IGT 2018 Villa Sandi Venezie DOC LCBO#580324 $12.70
Veneto Zonin Prosecco Cuvée 1821 Casa Vinicola Zonin SPA Prosecco DOC LCBO#277186 $15.95
Flavours reminiscent of pear and white nectarine complemented by blanched herbs. Light and crisp and simple.
Bone dry. Crisp and toasty, apple, pear and vanilla on the palate. Light, fresh with an overall excellent finish. ***87/100
**80/100
Veneto Villa Sandi Prosecco Il Fresco NV Villa Sandi Treviso DOC LCBO#394387 $15.95 Very fresh and appealing to the nose with notes of peach and apple. Bone dry with delicate bubbles and well-balanced acidity. Good length.
Veneto FIOL Prosecco DOC NV FIOL Prosecco DOC LCBO#394577 $16.30 Sweet candied fruit with green apple, pear and lemon. Medium acidity and low alcohol. Good quality sparkler. ***85/100
***87/100
Veneto Capitel Nicalò Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2016 Agricola Fratelli Tedeschi Srl Valpolicella DOC LCBO#84997 $17.95
2022 Veneto Zonin Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2016 Casa Vinicola Zonin SPA Valpolicella Ripasso LCBO#170142 $18.95
2022 Veneto Folonari Ripasso 2016 Folonari Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC LCBO#481838 $18.95
Outstanding nose. Rich black raspberry with coffee beans. Round on the palate with plush tannins.
Spicy and heady nose with plum and cherry highlights. Medium body, round and jammy with a nice spicy finish.
Sexy blackcurrant bouquet with leafy raspberry undertones. Good extraction and concentration with a medium finale.
***86/100
***85/100
***88/100
2022 Veneto Bolla Ripasso 2016 Bolla S.P.A Valpolicella Ripasso LCBO#475574 $19.95 On the nose aromas redolent of sweet raspberry jam with a touch of bark wood. Toasty oak on the palate with mature tannins. ***86/100
2022 Veneto Mara Ripasso 2016 Cesari Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC LCBO#506519 $19.95
2024 Veneto Capitel San Rocco 2016 Tedeschi Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC LCBO#719294 $21.95
2024 Veneto Lena di Mezzo Ripasso 2016 Monte del Fra Valpolicello Ripasso DOC LCBO#165662 $24.95
2025 Veneto Brolo Campofiorin Oro 2015 Masi Agricola Rosso del Veronese IGT LCBO#976092 $26.95
Rich nose of coffee, dark chocolate and dried blueberries. The palate is quite silky and smooth with chewy tannins and a rather light body.
Rich nose of raspberry and figs with burnt caramel and balsamic undertones. Good concentration with smooth tannins and a long spicy finish. Fun wine.
Notes of cherry, anise and cinnamon. High acidity with flavours consistent with the nose and velvety tannins.
Lovely black cherry and amarena tones with nice toasted edges. Powerful and quite structured. Classic Super Venetian wine.
***86/100
***88/100 ****90/100
***89/100
Veneto Bottega Gold Prosecco DOC NV Bottega Spa Veneto DOC LCBO#621458 $27.95 Aromas of almond cake and a hint of lemon zest. Fresh and dry with soothing bubbles.
2028 Veneto Amarone Classico 2014 Cesari Amarone Classico DOCG LCBO#426718 $39.95 Very complex nose reminiscent of Coffee Crisp, dark chocolate, dates with a bit of caramelized maple syrup as well. Warm yet fresh. Spicy retronasal. Cumin finish.
***88/100
2028 Veneto Costasera Amarone Classico 2013 Masi Agricola Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG LCBO#317057 $45.00 Dry raisins with plum and dark chocolate with some notes of vanilla and smoke. Lovely Amarone with a great balance.
****90/100 ****91/100
2030 Veneto Amarone 2015 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG LCBO#356220 $48.95 Multilayered dark stone fruit, plum and black cherry with hints of tobacco and pepper. Big, intense and very bold wine. ****92/100