The Vancouver International Wine Festival is showing off reds and whites from everyone's favourite boot-shaped country
Clear your plate (and your palate) and head downtown. The Vancouver International Wine Festival is now underway and runs until Sunday. It features 155 wineries from 14 different nations, but as always one country in particular is put in the spotlight. This year's has a long history with wine and, well, most things civilized: Italy. The festival, for those who haven't had the pleasure before, is the biggest of its kind in Canada and considered one of the best in the world. Not surprisingly, the tastings are selling out fast, but there are still tickets left for those eager to get a taste of Tuscany. Find out which events still have space here. But whether or not you can make this year's wine festival, you don't need to deprive yourself of wonderful Italian wine. Van Mag, as always, has your back. So, to celebrate the Italian theme of 2016's Vancouver International Wine Festival, here are the Italian winners from our own Wine Awards (all of which are available for purchase locally). Given this is Italy we're talking about, there's no shortage of options—particularly for lovers of flavourful reds.
Italian winners from 2016's Vancouver Magazine International Wine Awards
Giusti Cuvée Extra Brut Italy $65.43 +42044
Sophisticated, distinctive sparkler combines chardonnay and glera grapes
Vaporetto Prosecco Brut Italy $17.29 +99986
Refined, dry-tasting prosecco for your daily bubbly needs
Fontanafredda Gavi DOCG 2013 Italy $19.39 +224709
Suave Italian from a great estate in Piedmont
Argiolas Vermentino di Sardegna Costamolino 2014 Italy $17.99 +457945
Dry white from Sardinia’s star grape, vermentino
Monte del Fra Custoza Superiore DOC Ca’ del Magro 2012
Italy $19.79 +216077
Savoury white with creamy texture and sizzling acidity
Marotti Campi Orgiolo Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC Superiore 2013
Italy
$25.99 +613323
Lithe and exotic red from the Marche’s rare lacrima grape
MEDIUM RED CATEGORY WINNER: Fontodi Chianti Classico 2011
Italy
$31.99 +533315
It’s fair to call this classy Chianti runner-up for Best of Show, so close was the gripping final ballot among our judges. Sited in the heart of the Chianti Classico region and organically farmed since 2008, this all-sangiovese wine is aged in old barrels. Judges praised its fruity, spicy, earthy, oaky layers, all given extra dimension from a warm and generous vintage. It’s a true and pure expression of the grape and terroir.
Damilano Lecinquevigne Barolo 2010
Italy
$43.99 +484634
Perfumed, leathery, muscular wine typifies the “tar and roses” of Barolo
Giovanni Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo 2012
Italy
$26.99 +779702
Nebbiolo’s distinctive flavour, for a steal
Casa Planeta Syrah 2013 Italy $15.59 +130252
Judges adored this dense but juicy syrah from famous Sicilian estate Planeta
Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino 2012
Italy
$24.49 +628974
Think of this as baby brunello for earlier drinking and less money
Cusumano Sicilia Nero d’Avola 2013
Italy
$16.29 +143610
Sicilian warmth and terroir shines through chewy fig and cassis flavours
Mezzomondo Salento Negroamaro 2014
Italy
$8.99 +135178
Soft, fruit-forward red is well-built and well-priced
Luccarelli Puglia Negroamaro 2012
Italy
$12.99 +295287
Cheerful bargain red from the heel of Italy’s boot
Piccini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009
Italy $34.99 +36012
One of the very best bargains from one of Italy’s most prestigious regions
Musella Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2012
Italy
$28.99 +806224
Think of this tip-top quality valpolicella as baby amarone
Giusti Umberto I 2008
Italy
$181.70 +47605
Impressive vin de garde from a Canadian-owned Venetian estate
Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2011
Italy
$24.99 +25163
Benchmark Chianti shows consistent quality vintage after vintage
Ca’Rugate Amarone della Valpolicella 2009
Italy
$62.99 +278291
Superb velvety amarone with molten dark fruit—a fireside wine
Ruffino Modus 2012
Italy
$30.49 +614354
Modern, well-priced Tuscan wine blends sangiovese, merlot, and cab