Showing posts with label verdicchio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label verdicchio. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedThursday, February 9, 2023

Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2020 (Marche) - Wine Review



white wine review is an organic and consistently delicious white wine from Marche. It arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Umani Ronchi, a family-run winery that was established in 1957 when Gino Umani Ronchi set up a small farm at Cupramontana, the heart of Verdicchio Classico country in Marche. In 1968, Roberto Bianchi and his son-in-law Massimo Bernetti acquired the property and brought new energy to the estate's production and improved the quality of the wines. Massimo soon expanded the estate's area under vine to 210 hectares, most of which was nestled between the hills and sea, along the Adriatic coast on the eastern side of central Italy in Marche and Abruzzo. Massimo was joined by his son, Michele, in the 1990s and together with input from university research centres, they began exploring advanced vine cultivation and winemaking techniques, while also identifying the best grape-growing sites.

Today, Michele and his technical team continue to fine-tune all of their wines, resulting in a range of new products, while paying great attention to existing wines. He has partnered with Giacomo Tachis, a skilled winemaker known for celebrated wines like the Solaia and Sassicaia. Umani Ronchi continues its innovative spirit with all of the vineyards are farmed organically, by technical choice, because organic means quality. Umani Ronchi is driven by strong ethics and respects the environment, with sustainability at top of mind in every aspect of the business.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Verdicchio that was grown on the hills of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. The vineyards are between 8 to 30 years old and situated between 200 and 350 metres above sea level, on opposite sides of the Esino Valley, while the soils go back to pleiocene-pleistocene formations and characterized by being very deep, medium-calcareous clay loams. The grapes were hand-harvested with particular attention paid to determine the right moment to harvest, when there was the best balance between sugar content, phenolic ripening, and acidity. It was vinified by lightly pressing the grapes and undergoing fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks. After ageing the wine on its own lees for about 5 months, it was then aged in bottle for a few months prior to release.

Looking through my notes, I had actually tasted this particular vintage a couple of times in the second half of last year, and both times it was delicious, with consistent notes. The 2019 Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore which I tasted a couple of years ago was also lovely! Let's see how this 2020 Verdicchio from Marche is tasting in early 2023...

Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2020 (89 pts)

Tasting Note:

CASAL DI SERRA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2020 - DOCG, Marche, Italy (#268169) (XD) - $19.95
Switched from screw cap to Nomacorc for this vintage. The medium-high intensity nose is faintly perfumed with attractive ripe lemon-lime citrus, melon, and peach aromas with whiffs of florality. There good weight and concentration on the dry, crunchy, medium-full bodied palate with deliciously ripe lemon-lime, apple, melon, white floral, and leesy flavours in a lightly honeyed profile. Acids are juicy, vibrant, and well-balanced. Nicely textured on the mid-palate, while leesy mineral notes linger on the long, succulent finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Umani Ronchi are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedSaturday, July 31, 2021

Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2019 (Marche) - Wine Review

wine review is a lovely organic white wine from Marche, Italy, that arrived on shelves at the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.

This white wine is crafted by Umani Ronchi, a family-run producer whose story began with Gino Umani Ronchi setting up a small farm in 1957 at Cupramontana, in the heart of Verdicchio Classico country in Marche. A few years later, the Bianchi-Bernetti family acquired the property and brought new energy to the estate's production. Over the next several years, Massimo Bernetti expanded the estate's area under vine to 210 hectares, which are nestled between the hills and sea along the Adriatic coast on the eastern side of central Italy in Marche and Abruzzo, while also improving the quality of the wines. By the 1990s, Massimo was joined by his son, Michele, and with input from university research centres, they began exploring advanced vineyard and cellar management techniques, while also identifying the best grape-growing sites. Today, all of the vineyards are farmed organically, by technical choice, because at Umani Ronchi, organic means quality. Umani Ronchi is driven by strong ethics and respects the environment, with sustainability at top of mind in every aspect of the business.

This Casal di Serra white wine was first produced in 1983 and was one of the first truly "selected" Verdicchio from the area. It was initially crafted from the best grapes in the Montecarotto vineyard, and was later enriched with grapes from three other plots situated in the most suitable areas for cultivating Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. The DOC Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi translates to "Verdicchio of the Castles of Jesi" and refers to the numerous hilltop villages that dominate the region in the province of Ancona.

For the 2019 vintage, this 100% Verdicchio was grown on a hillsides between 200 and 350 meters above sea level, on opposite sides of the Esino Valley. The vines are between eight and thirty years old and grown on soils that go back to Pleiocene-Pleistocene formations, and characterised by very deep, medium-calcareous clay loams. The grapes were hand-harvested, fermented in steel tanks, and rested on its own yeasts for 5 months prior to bottling. Let's see how this 2019 is tasting tonight...

Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2019 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

CASAL DI SERRA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#268169) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. This 100% organic Verdicchio has a lovely, fragrant, and open nose of lemon citrus, yellow and stone fruit with touches of yellow floral and earthy, saline mineral aromas. The palate is full with excellent fruit concentration and lovely lemon citrus, white stone fruit, herbal, and yellow fruit flavours with touches of leesy mineral and almond adding further interest and complexity. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, Very good length with leesy, saline minerals lingering on the finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other delicious wines from Umani Ronchi can be found at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.


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  • Date publishedWednesday, July 17, 2019

Wine Picks LCBO VINTAGES Release July 20, 2019: Under $20 + Italian Whites

LCBO Wine Picks: July 20, 2019 VINTAGES Release
The upcoming July 20, 2019 LCBO VINTAGES Release features 20 Wines Under $20 as the main theme, while the mini-theme looks at fresh Italian white wines. All of these wines, plus those as part of the Main Release will be on VINTAGES shelves across Ontario by this Saturday.

We'll begin with the main theme that lists 20 wines under $20, of which only 3 are include among my top wine picks. The first wine from this group is a dry $19 Prosecco that is made with the Glera grape varietal. The lone white is a $15 Chenin Blanc from South Africa, while the red is a lovely $17 Ventoux from the southern Rhône Valley that consists of 50% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 20% Mourvèdre.

Xavier Vignon Ventoux 2017 (89 pts)Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2018 (89 pts)

From the mini-theme on fresh Italian white wines, five of the seven wines featured are included among my top wine recommendations. The idea behind this theme to get everyone to try some of the other fine white grape varietals from Italy and look beyond Pinot Grigio. First up is a Fiano, an ancient grape from at least the 13th century. Pecorino (not the cheese) is fresh, floral and vibrant and often comes from Abruzzo. Falanghina is my favourite Italian white wine varietal and often comes from the hilly, volcanic soils of Campania. The Greco varietal is also common in Campania and offers a distinct smoky minerality. Lastly, there is a premium, barrel-fermented and aged Trebbiano di Lugana (aka Verdicchio) from Piedmont.

Sergio Zenato Riserva Lugana 2016 (91 pts)Terre Stregate Svelato Falanghina del Sannio 2016 (89 pts)

Janare Fiano 2017 (89 pts)Citra Ferzo Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore 2017 (88 pts)

Lava Greco di Tufo 2017 (88 pts)

Among my red wine picks from the rest of the Release, the red wine from New Zealand is a blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Malbec. From Rhône, the Rasteau is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, while the Côtes du Rhône is equal parts Syrah and Grenache, plus some Mourvèdre. The blend from Roussillon consists of 50% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, and 10% Grenache, and 2015 Bordeaux consists of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Lastly, from Spain, the Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, while the Crianza consists of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, and 5% Graciano.

Ka Tahi Merlot/Malbec 2015 (90 pts)Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône 2017 (89 pts)

Ortas Tradition Rasteau 2017 (88 pts)Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres Syrah/Mourvèdre/Grenache 2016 (88+ pts)

Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2014 (88 pts)

From my white wine picks, all are single varietal wines. One of the stand outs is the always excellent Assyrtiko from Greece. If you prefer sweet wines, look for the Riesling Kabinett from Mosel.

Argyros Assyrtiko 2017 (90+ pts)Max Ferd. Richter Elisenberger Riesling Kabinett 2016 (90+ pts)

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this Release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

  • MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES CRIANZA 2014 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#638775) (D) - $16.95  88 pts  wine review
  • XAVIER VIGNON VENTOUX 2017 - AP, Rhône, France (#413211) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • ORTAS TRADITION RASTEAU 2017 - AC, Rhône, France (#998716) (XD) - $17.95  88 pts  wine review
  • XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2017 - AP, Rhône, France (#297317) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • BELLINGHAM HOMESTEAD SHIRAZ 2017 - WO Paarl, South Africa (#698290) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR LES ASPRES SYRAH / MOURVÈDRE / GRENACHE 2016 - AP Côtes du Roussillon, France (#413245) (XD) - $19.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • KA TAHI MERLOT/MALBEC 2015 - Hawke’s Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#645192) (XD) - $23.95  90 pts  wine review
  • CHÂTEAU HAUT SELVE 2015 - AC Graves, Bordeaux, France (#738120) (XD) - $24.95
  • VIVANCO RESERVA 2012 - Selección de Familia, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#293431) (XD) - $29.95
  • YANGARRA SHIRAZ 2016 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#911974) (XD) - $34.95  FE
Bellingham Homestead Shiraz 2017 (89 pts)

White Wine:

  • RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CHENIN BLANC 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#698274) (XD) - $14.95  89 pts  wine review
  • WAKEFIELD CLARE VALLEY ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2017 - Clare Valley, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  88+ pts  wine review
  • JANARE FIANO 2017 - DOP Sannio, Campania, Italy (#528786) (D) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
  • CITRA FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE 2017 - DOP, Abruzzo, Italy (#573683) (D) $17.95  88 pts  wine review
  • TERRE STREGATE SVELATO FALANGHINA DEL SANNIO 2016 - DOP, Campania, Italy (#486076) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
  • LAVA GRECO DI TUFO 2017 - DOCG, Campania, Italy (#631739) (XD) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
  • PENINSULA RIDGE WISMER VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#155580) (D) - $19.95  88 pts  wine review
  • MAX FERD. RICHTER ELISENBERGER RIESLING KABINETT 2016 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#665984) (S) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • ARGYROS ASSYRTIKO 2017 - PDO Santorini, Greece (#387365) (XD) - $29.95  90+ pts  wine review
  • SERGIO ZENATO RISERVA LUGANA 2016 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#928218) (D) - $39.95  91 pts  wine review
  • FLOWERS CHARDONNAY 2017 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#215210) (XD) - $59.95  FE
Wakefield Clare Valley Estate Chardonnay 2017 (88+ pts)Peninsula Ridge Wismer Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (88 pts)

Rosé Wine:

  • HACIENDA LOPEZ DE HARO ROSADO 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#450775) (XD) - $13.95  88 pts  wine review
  • PLANETA ROSÉ 2018 - DOC Sicilia, Italy (#111856) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
  • LA CADIÉRENNE CUVÉE GRANDE TRADITION BANDOL ROSÉ 2018 - AC, Provence, France (#119453) (XD) - $22.95  91 pts  wine review
La Cadiérenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2018 (91 pts)Planeta Rosé 2018 (89 pts)

Hacienda Lopez de Haro Rosado 2018 (88 pts)

Sparkling Wine:

  • LE MONDE BRUT PROSECCO - DOC Friuli Grave, Italy (#634121) (XD) - $18.95  88 pts  wine review

Dessert Wine:

  • CAVINO MUSCAT - PDO Samos, Greece (#113092) (S) (500 mL) - $12.95  88 pts  wine review
Cavino Muscat (88 pts)


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