Showing posts with label appassimento. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appassimento. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedWednesday, March 6, 2019

La Prua Appassimento 2016 (Veneto) - Wine Review



wine review is a delicious red wine that recently arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on .

It is produced by Mare Magnum, a fairly new wine company that produces wine not only in various parts of Italy, but is also involved in winemaking in various other parts of the world. Takis Soldatos and Mario Calzolari are the leaders behind Mare Magnum, and they have worked in the wine industry for more than 20 years. Together, they strive to produces wines that are outstanding value-for-money in an attractive and innovative package.

La Prua Appassimento 2016 (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

LA PRUA APPASSIMENTO 2016 - IGT Rosso Veneto, Italy (#530543) (D) - $15.95
100% Corvina grown on the cool climate volcanic slopes of Monte Lessinis. A large part of the grapes were dried for three weeks. Aged for 8 months in French oak barrels. The medium+ intensity nose is spicy and earthy, layered on top of bright cherry and chocolate aromas, with hints of smoke. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with supple tannins with just a touch of chalkiness, and fresh acids. Blackberry, cherry, and mocha chocolate flavours with some oak undertones. Some sweetness arrives on the mid-palate. Chocolate and dark berry notes close out on the finish, with good length. Score: 87 pts


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  • Date publishedSaturday, December 15, 2018

Cantina di Negrar Appassimento 2017 (Veneto) - Wine Review

wine review is a red wine that recently arrived to the LCBO and is widely available throughout Ontario.

It is produced by Cantina Valpolicella Negrar, a winery that was founded in the commune of Negrar in Veneto in the 1930's.

The catchy and interesting label of this Appassimento depicts Ulysses' (a.k.a. Odysseus in Greek) 10-year journey home from Troye to Ithaca. Every facet of his journey captivates the sense of discovery, self-discovery, and world discovery Ulysses experiences in those enchanted 10 years, including  Lotus eaters, Circe the Enchantress, the singing winged sirens, the one-eyed giant Cyclops, the six-headed monster Scylla, the violent whirlpool Charybdis, his journey to the underworld to learn of his future, the bags of wind from Aeolus, and his 7 year stay with the nymph Calypso. Each tale embodies a sense of enchantment and delight, drawing the reader in, the urge to know and discover more. Let's see if what's inside the bottle is just as captivating.

Cantina di Negrar Appassimento 2017 (87 pts)

Tasting Note:

CANTINA DI NEGRAR APPASSIMENTO 2017 - IGT Veneto, Italy (#629865) (D) - $15.90
A Corvina-based blend made using dried grapes (i.e. appassimento method). Medium+ intensity nose features sweet spice, fig, cherry, and earthy aromas. It is medium-full bodied with smooth, dusty tannins and a juicy core with pleasing milk chocolate, cherry, and earthy aroma replays in an off-dry flavour profile. Some tannic grip arrives mid-palate. Nice balance throughout, with earth and cocoa flavours lingering on the long, juicy finish. Widely appealing style. Score: 87 pts


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  • Date publishedMonday, April 7, 2014

Apr. 12 LCBO Wine Picks: Appassimento + Easter

LCBO Wine Picks from April 12, 2014 Vintages Release
The next Vintages release will be on shelves across Ontario on . Appassimento wines are the main focus of this release, while wines for are highlighted in the small secondary feature.

In case you didn't know, Appassimento is a winemaking technique that involves drying grapes and tends to produce naturally sweeter wines. There are 3 major styles of Appassimento wines - Recioto, Amarone and Ripasso - all of which are represented in this release. Of the 16 wines featured, quite a few would be worthy additions to your cellar, and 3 of my wine picks below are excellent buys.

The Bertani Ripasso is a blend of Rondinella and Corvina Veronese and during the 2nd fermentation (i.e. ripasso) was refermented on pomaces of Recioto and Amarone. The Tenuta Sant'Antonio is a dry Amarone (i.e. not sweet) and consists of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina and 5% Oseleta; it will age gracefully and can be enjoyed over the next 10 years. And finally, the Brigaldara Amarone is an off-dry version (i.e. slightly sweet) made with 50% Corvinone, 20% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% other grapes and can be enjoyed over the next 13 years. With both of these Amarones, you'll want to wait at least a year before opening as their both still a bit young.

Easter is the second feature of the release and highlights just 5 wines to help make your festive day more festive. Three of these wines made my list of wine picks - Featherstone's Rosé, Lailey's Chardonnay, and Reif's Vidal Icewine are all recommended, even if you don't celebrate Easter.

For Chardonnay fans, all of the Chardonnays mentioned below are oaked, except for the Chablis (50 yr old vines). For Riesling lovers, the German Riesling is the sweetest of the three I recommend and will have exotic notes typical of Piesporter wines. The Godelia Red is 100% Mencía with grapes coming from three zones with differing soils.

Enjoy my wine recommendations for this week. Cheers!


Red Wine:
  • GRANT BURGE 5TH GENERATION SHIRAZ 2012 - Barossa, South Australia (#361295) (XD) - $18.95
  • CAPARZO ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2011 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#333575) (XD) - $19.95
  • BERTANI VILLA NOVARE RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2010 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#095810) (XD) - $19.95
  • CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA CARMENÈRE 2008 - Peumo, Rapel Valley, Chile (#169862) (XD) - $19.95
  • GODELIA RED 2009 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#368043) (XD) - $20.95
  • JULICHER 99 ROWS PINOT NOIR 2010 - Te Muna Road, Martinborough, North Island, New Zealand (#367979) (XD) - $24.95
  • JIM BARRY THE COVER DRIVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#677476) (XD) - $26.95  reviewed here
  • TENUTA SANT’ANTONIO SELEZIONE ANTONIO CASTAGNEDI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2010 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#685107) (XD) - $43.95
  • BRIGALDARA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#300012) (D) - $49.95

White Wine:
  • PERRIN & FILS RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2012 - AC, Rhône, France (#499509) (XD) - $14.95
  • GUSTAVE LORENTZ RÉSERVE RIESLING 2012 - AC Alsace, France (#641639) (D) - $17.95
  • LAILEY CHARDONNAY 2012 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#193482) (XD) - $19.95
  • 13TH STREET JUNE’S VINEYARD RIESLING 2011 - VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#147512) (D) - $19.95  reviewed here
  • REINHOLD HAART PIESPORTER RIESLING KABINETT 2010 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#727461) (M) - $19.95
  • LANDER-JENKINS SPIRIT HAWK CHARDONNAY 2011 - California, USA (#162651) (D) - $19.95
  • SYLVAIN MOSNIER VIEILLES VIGNES CHABLIS 2010 - AC, Burgundy, France (#357152) (XD) - $26.95
  • BACHELDER OREGON CHARDONNAY 2011 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#273334) (XD) - $29.95
  • LA CREMA CHARDONNAY 2012 - Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California (#067231) (XD) - $37.95

Rosé Wine:
  • PETIT RIMAURESQ GRENACHE/CINSAULT/SYRAH ROSÉ 2012 - Provence, France (#276360) (XD) - $13.95
  • FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2013 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#117861) (D) - $14.95

Dessert Wine:
  • PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI ASZÚ 3 PUTTONYOS 2008 - Hungary (#980805) (MS) (500 mL) - $20.95
  • REIF VIDAL ICEWINE 2012 - VQA Niagara River, Ontario, Canada (#544791) (S) (200 mL) - $24.95


The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.


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  • Date publishedMonday, April 22, 2013

Apr. 27 Wine Picks: Appassimento + Organic Wines

Cover of April 27, 2013 Vintages Magazine
The next Vintages release will be on LCBO shelves on . The main feature in this release is on Italian wines that use the appassimento method to make wines, while the secondary feature is on organic wines.

Appassimento-method wines involve drying the grapes prior to pressing and fermenting. There are various ways to dry grapes, such as laying on racks or mats, mounting from rafters, often in barns; modern techniques of drying grapes involve temperature controlled chambers. The appassimento-style is usually applied to red wines using local varietals, while producing sweeter (off-dry) wines. However, the Masi Grandarella is a dry wine made using Refosco, and the international varietal Carmenère.

Amarone wines are also made using the appassimento method, however, these wines are allowed to ferment to full dryness, producing wines which have greater intensity of flavours and tannins. In this wine release, check out the Monte del Frà (80% Corvina veronese and Corvinone, 20% Rondinella) - you won't be disappointed.

Ripasso (meaning "repassed") is my personal favourite appassimento-style, and comes between the lighter Valpolicella and the robust Amarone. Essentially, leftover grape skins and seeds from Amarone (and Recioto) production are added to batches of Valpolicella to produce fuller bodied red wines that are more complex and flavourful than Valpolicella. The Remo Farina is a good example of this style and is made using 70% Corvina, 15% Rondinella, 5% Molinara, and 10% other grapes.

Recioto is the ancestor to both Amarone and Ripasso. Grapes for Reciotos are picked very late and very ripe, then dried on mats or racks for 4-6 months. This allows the sugars and flavours to concentrate, producing very sweet wines. If you'd like to taste this style, the Antolini is your best best in this release. It's made using a blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella.

Eco-friendly winemaking and organic wines are the secondary feature in this release. It wasn't too long ago when one immediately thought that organic wine equated to poor tasting wine. Times have changed quickly. Of the 6 wines featured, 3 are on my list and worth pursuing. Weingut Wittmann has been organic since 1990 and biodynamic since 2004, and their Riesling in this release is dry (not sweet). La Cappuccina winery has been family-owned since 1890, with the 4th generation controlling the reins now; they've been practicing organic farming since 1985; their Soave is made with 100% Garganega. And finally, we have an organic California chardonnay from Frog's Leap, a winery that also practices biodynamic farming techniques. The name "Frog's Leap" actually comes from a combination of "Frog Farm" (where it's first wines were made) and "Stag's Leap" (where Winemaker John Williams began his winemaking career, and a place I visited recently).

From the rest of the release, we have a couple of fine Italian single-varietal red wines. The Torrevento from Puglia is made from Nero di Troia, while the Fontanafredda from Piedmont is 100% Nebbiolo.

Enjoy my wine picks for this week! Let me know if you buy and taste any of these. I'd love to hear from you. Cheers!


Red Wine:
  • LANGA TRADICION CENTENARIA GARNACHA 2008 - DO Calatayud, Spain (#194795) (XD) - $14.95
  • CHILCAS SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (#309757) (D) - $17.95
  • STALKING HORSE SHIRAZ 2010 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#251215) (D) - $18.95
  • REMO FARINA MONTECORNA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2010 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#056267) (D) - $19.95
  • MAYCAS DEL LIMARÍ RESERVA ESPECIAL SYRAH 2009 - Limarí Valley, Chile (#269423) (D) - $19.95
  • TORREVENTO VIGNA PEDALE RISERVA 2008 - DOC Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy (#208256) (XD) - $20.95
  • MASI GRANDARELLA 2009 - Appassimento, IGT Rosso delle Venezie, Italy (#606921) (XD) - $25.95
  • HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ MERITAGE 2009 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#505610) (XD) - $32.95  reviewed here
  • FONTANAFREDDA SERRALUNGA D’ALBA BAROLO 2007 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#943290) (XD) - $39.95
  • IL MARRONETO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2007 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#190108) (XD) - $46.95
  • MONTE DEL FRÁ LENA DI MEZZO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2007 - DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#047506) (D) - $48.95

White Wine:
  • LA CAPPUCCINA SOAVE 2012 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#081489) (XD) - $14.95
  • HUFF ESTATES PINOT GRIS 2011 - VQA Ontario, Canada (#134221) (D) - $19.95
  • LOAN WINES UNWOODED SPECIAL RESERVE SEMILLON 2004 - Barossa Valley, South Australia (#301127) (D) - $15.95
  • CHÂTEAU TOUR DE CALENS 2009 - AC Graves, Bordeaux, France (#321323) (XD) - $19.95
  • WITTMANN RIESLING TROCKEN 2011 - Qualitätswein, Gutsabfüllung, Rheinhessen, Germany (#320366) (XD) - $20.95
  • GAIA THALASSITIS ASSYRTIKO 2011 - PDO Santorini, Aegean Islands, Greece (#315010) (XD) - $21.95
  • FROG’S LEAP CHARDONNAY 2011 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#713552) (XD) - $36.95

Rosé Wine:
  • KÖNIGSCHAFFHAUSER VULKANFELSEN PINOT NOIR ROSÉ TROCKEN 2012 - QbA Baden, Germany (#168237) (D) - $12.95
  • CHÂTEAU VAL JOANIS TRADITION SYRAH ROSÉ 2012 - AC Luberon, Rhône, France (#707281) (XD) - $14.95

Sparkling Wine:
  • LA MAISON DU CRÉMANT BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE - AC, Burgundy, France (#127811) (XD) - $17.95
  • LALLIER GRANDE RÉSERVE GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE - AC, France (#225284) (D) - $48.95

Dessert Wine:
  • ANTOLINI RECIOTO DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2009 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#135533) (S) (500 mL) - $28.95


The rest of the wines from this release can be found here.


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