| Between the Lines |
May 2021
It's between the 30th and 50th parallels that we find the ideal climates for producing fine wine.

 

 

 

Diversity, the Strength of Italian Wine

by Nelson Abreu


Today Italy ranks first in global wine exports by volume.  Similar to other prominent wine producing countries, Italy’s wines were first established worldwide with a few market blazing varieties, in this case, Chianti, Barolo, Amarone and Brunello.  While wines from many different countries became popular and then the interest faded, Italian wine trends continue to move upwards. The Italian classics remain popular comfort wines, but it is the wines from emerging regions such as Sicily, with obscure indigenous grape varieties, that are exciting wine fans in Ontario. With over 350 registered grape varieties, Italy has the greatest diversity of wines in the world.  This is a treasure of wines that will continue to entertain wine lovers for years to come and Ontario is a great place to experience all that Italian wines have to offer.

In Ontario, you are sure to encounter a selection of Italian wines from familiar regions, and established brands, when shopping in liquor and grocery stores.  Opportunities do exist for consumers to explore Italy’s more obscure and trendy regional wines when shopping at Vintages. Supply consistency is a common challenge as the vast majority of Vintages’ wines are purchased in seasonal and limited quantities. In addition, these wines are expected to sell-through quickly to be deemed successful in the market and to stand a greater chance of being repurchased. It is not uncommon to hear people lament that the wine they bought at Vintages sold out and was no longer available when they returned for more.

Restaurants are where you will experience the trendiest, cutting-edge Italian wines in Ontario. Privately imported wines are hand selected and promoted by the agents. These are the kind of wines you discover when you travel to Italy. They are also the wines that appeal to sommeliers and restaurateurs for their uniqueness, value and, more importantly, exclusivity, as consignment wines cannot be bought in the stores. These wines express their origins within their taste profiles, not just on their labels. They are often not the obvious consumer choice, but once you try them, you are sure to enjoy them immensely. You’ll find that these trending Italian wines are recommended by the dining establishment for their uniqueness and compatibility with the food on the menu. Offered in restaurants, and to the private consumer, these wines help create memorable dining experiences.

With the popularity of Italian cuisine and the plethora of Italian restaurants in Ontario, it is no surprise that Italian wines rank number one among privately imported wines by volume. You will find that the greatest selection of imported wines made from indigenous, unique grape varieties come from Italy. It is common to dine out in Ontario and discover that the Italian wine you enjoyed at your local Trattoria, or Pizzeria, is not sold in stores. 

Here are a few Italian gems from our portfolio that sommeliers have been parading around to customers:
  • Verduno Basadone from Castello di Verduno is made from the rare Pelaverga Piccolo variety.  If Italy has an answer to light bodied Pinot Noir or perhaps Gamay this is it!  Driven by white pepper and rosehip it's elegantly structured and packed with intensity.
  • Langhe Freisa from 499 Vino is made from the ancient Freisa variety.  Genetic sequencing reveals this variety's lineage to originate from famous Piedmont varieties Nebbiolo and Arneis.  This variety has the potential to age like Nebbiolo but is much wilder in aromatic profile.
  • Our Schiava is from Peter Zemmer in the Alto Adige.  This is a true alpine red, light bodied with forest berries and earthy flavours, it's lip smacking and ideal for easy going food like appetizers and pizza.  A great red to serve chilled during summer!
  • Gavi di Gavi 'Tuffo' from Morgassi Superiore is made the Cortese variety.  This high-altitude example shows real, Chablis-like elegance and power.  Sea-shell mineral driven and zippy acidity make it a serious oyster shucker!
As regional and indigenous wines continue to excite sommeliers, offering interest and appeal to wine programs, you'll continue to discover more unique food-friendly and cutting-edge Italian wines when restaurant dining returns to Ontario.

 

 

 


Exploring
the Artisanal World of Wine one case at a time

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Producer Spotlight

Arnaldo Caprai, Umbria
by Eric Gennaro


      Umbria has the unique distinction of being the only Italian region without a coastline or border to another country.  It is landlocked and sits smack dab in the middle of the Italian boot.  Although it is quite wonderfully situated, Umbria is often overlooked or simply passed through.  You can hardly blame tourists for choosing the stoic and eternal beauty of Rome to the south, Tuscany’s renaissance of romance to the West and the non-stop "discoteca" parties along the beaches of the Marche to the East.

     However, what sets the region apart for us wine lovers, is the mighty Sagrantino grape.  This thick skinned grape, famous for its wild tannins and black colour, is native to Umbria, and is celebrated around the world largely because of this one estate.  Arnaldo Caprai purchased the winery in the town of Montefalco in 1971.  The focus has always been to produce quality wines but when Arnaldo’s son Marco took over this philosophy it was rendered down to making top quality wines with Sagrantino.  He believed that although there were other varietals on the estate, the one that would provide the region with an identity was the Sagrantino.  In fact, Sagrantino is one of those grapes that, despite being transported abroad, really only thrives in this hamlet of vineyards in this relatively small part of the world. This decision was a gutsy one as Sangiovese was the fashionable Italian grape at the time and grows easily in Umbria.  Sagrantino grapes were tiny, with tiny low yielding bunches and possessed the highest level of polyphenols making it extremely tannic if not managed deftly.  All these factors brought Sagrantino to near the brink of extinction.  But through patience and hard work, both in the vineyards and the cellar, Marco was able to tap into something really special.  Something that seemingly lasts forever with a mix of raw power and gritty elegance.        
Pushing the envelope further, Caprai has started the Green Revolution, the first territorial sustainability protocol in the wine sector.  This is an all-encompassing project which looks to preserve the surrounding environment through constantly reducing wasteful consumption and its impact.
 

Wines currently available from Arnaldo Caprai


2018 Montefalco Rosso

70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot aged for 12 months in Slavonian and French oak barrels then 4 months in bottle
  • 90 points, Robert Parker
  • 90 points, Antonio Galloni

$26.33/bottle plus tax and bottle deposit. Available in cases of 12.


2018 Montefalco Rosso Vigna Flaminia Maremmana

70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Canaiolo aged for 14 months in Slavonian and French oak barrels then 6 months in bottle
  • 92 points, Antonio Galloni

$31.95/bottle plus tax and bottle deposit. Available in cases of 6.

2016 Montefalco Rosso Riserva

70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, 15% Merlot aged for 20 months in French oak then 6 months in bottle

  • 93 points, Antonio Galloni
  • 93+ points, Robert Parker
  • 90 points, Wine Spectator

$53.95/bottle plus tax and bottle deposit. Available in cases of 6.



2015 Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni

100% Sagrantino aged for 24 months in French oak then 8 months in bottle.

  • 96 points, Robert Parker
  • 95 points, James Suckling
  • 94 points, Wine Enthusiast

$92.95/bottle plus tax and bottle deposit. Available in cases of 6.

 

 

 

Google Review

We've been working diligently during the pandemic to increase our search engine rankings.  It would mean a lot if you could take a moment to  review us on Google.  Thank you!

 

 

 

Back In Stock

2019 Verduno Basadone
Castello di Verduno. Piedmont, Italy
$36.99/btl (12 per case)
2019 Langhe Nebbiolo
Castello di Verduno. Piedmont, Italy
$32.57/btl (case of 12)
2019 Dolcetto d'Alba 'Campot'
Castello di Verduno. Piedmont, Italy
$29.87/btl (case of 12)

 

 

 

30.50 Imports Inc.
226 Christie Street  Toronto, ON  M6G3B7 
t: 416.915.9463  e: info@3050imports.com
www.3050imports.com

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