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If I Could Buy Only One – November 16th Vintages Release
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the November 16th release, which one would it be and why?” Le Ragose Riserva Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Veneto, Italy$92.95, Carpe Vinum InternationalDavid Lawrason – I am rarely excited by Amarones, largely because I find them overblown. But when one comes along […] More
Buyer’s Guide to Vintages November 16th Release
Privatization’s Next Milestone – Price Competition By David Lawrason, with notes from Sara d’Amato, Megha Jandhyala and Elsa Macdonald MW “Did you know that Costco is now selling wine [in Ontario]?” The question came from an LCBO cashier I have come to know as I shop every two weeks for samples of the Vintages releases […] More
If I Could Buy Only One – November 2nd Vintages Release
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the November 2nd release, which one would it be and why?” Morandé Vitis Única Carmenère 2021, Maipo Valley, Chile$18.95, Majestic Wine Cellars Sara d’Amato – If, like me, you favour reds with a more ethereal character, this impeccably balanced and distinctive carmenère provides exceptional […] More
National Wine Awards of Canada
Canada's premier wine awards. In 2022, 24 judges tasted over 1,900 wines from 250 wineries across the country to identify Canada's top wines.
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Exchange Wine Club SubscriptionBrunello di Montalcino is one of the most prestigious appellations in Italy, born in the 19th Century in its present form thanks to the efforts of the Biondi-Santi family, who defined its rules and have largely guided it to the present day. The wines are made from 100% Sangiovese grape, in particular from a clone called Sangiovese Grosso, or also as Brunello - hence the appellation's name. Traditionally, the wine goes through an extended maceration period where color, tannins and flavour are extracted from the skins. Following fermentation the wine is then aged in oak. Traditionally, the wines are aged 3 years or more in "botti" - large Slovenian oak casks that impart little oak flavour and generally produce more austere wines. Some winemakers will use small French barrels which impart a more pronounced vanilla oak flavour and add a certain fruitiness to the wine. Whatever the approach, wines must be aged for for years (with a minimum of two years in barrel) before being released, according to appellation rules.