C267-AB: Germany, Austria and Italy

cellar Germany, Austria, and Italy

ab

267 Order between May 3 and June 7, 2019

Ordering Made Easy 1. Select Your Wines Let yourself be inspired by our detailed descriptions to find out which wines best suit your palate. Our custom chart also features a variety of symbols (explained below) that can guide your selection.

Legend Grape variety Red White Rosé Sparkling Bottle size

Number of bottles in case

Still unsure what to order? Opimian’s Member Service team is always available to help you make an informed choice. Call us at 1-800-361-9421 or e-mail MemberService@Opimian.ca.

2. Place Your Order There are five ways to order • Online: Go to Opimian.ca, sign in and select Order Now. • Email MemberService@Opimian.ca with your selection.

• Call 1-800-361-9421 • Fax your order to 514-481-9699 • Mail your order*

Aroma

3. Let Us Handle the Rest The wines featured on this Cellar Offering are still at the producers’ wineries when you order them so it is normal that the process takes a bit of time and effort on our side.

Taste

Release dates are dependent upon actual arrival dates, distance from port of entry to liquor board and processing time required by each liquor board. For this cellar offering, the expected release date is mid-October 2019.

Serving temperature

Once the wine arrives at your local liquor store or distribution centre, you will receive a Pick Up Notice with the specified date (the Release Date) and your pick up location.

You can follow the status of your shipment at all times at Opimian.ca.

Ideal with Evolution Drink this year Will develop, drink within 2 years Meant for cellaring Concentration Light Medium Great Oak Light Medium Heavy Limited quantities Limited Very limited Extremely limited Less than 100 cases available Members’ Choice Most ordered by Opimian members Opimian Suggests Starting a cellar

Medal Winner Discovery Opimian Discovery 2018 C258 Select Plus Opimian Select Plus 2018 C258 M—Degree of Maturity (1-10) M1 = lay down M10 = fully mature

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Cellar 267 — alberta

D—Degree of Drinkability (1-10) D1 = needs time D10 = ready to drink

Conditions of Purchase • Accepted payment methods: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or cheque payable to Opimian.

• Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes.

• A valid membership card is required to order and pick up.

• Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum required.

• Last day to order from this Cellar Offering: June 7, 2019. Important: no orders will be processed after this deadline. * Deadline for mailing orders: May 29, 2019. Please allow 10 days for delivery by Canada Post.

Note, as required by the law in the Province of Alberta • All purchase transactions are completed pursuant to the laws in the Province of Alberta and are between you as the customer and Rocky Mountain Wine, Spirits & Beer (“Rocky Mountain”), an independent third party of Opimian Society (“Opimian”). All charges will appear on your credit card statement as Rocky Mountain.

• You hereby acknowledge and agree that your dealings with Rocky Mountain which are not related to an Opimian purchase, including payment and all other terms, conditions, representations and warranties related to such transaction, whether implied by law or by expressed agreement between you and Rocky Mountain, are solely between you and Rocky Mountain and not Opimian. You hereby acknowledge that Opimian is not responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of, or in connection with, or a resulting transaction, and you hereby release and waive any claims you may have against Opimian in connection thereof.

Sweetness scale

Grams/litre

Examples

[00]

0-3

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds

[01]

4-6

Some New World varietals, some reds

[02]

7 - 12

Champagne, Sparkling, Rosés, few reds

[03]

13 - 20

Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou

[04]

21 - 34

Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry

[05]

35 - 50

Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace

[06]

51 - 74

Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat

[07]

75 - 100

Auslese, Beerenauslese

[08]

101 - 139

Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port

[09]

140 - 179

Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port

[10]

180 >

Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese

cover — Cinciano is an ancient hamlet in the heart of Chianti

Classico, dating back to 1126.

Germany

Austria

Cellar 267

Germany, Austria, and Italy Northern parts of Europe – Germany and Austria - both enjoyed good climatic conditions during the 2018 growing season, following what was a successful vintage in 2017.

Winemakers Gerd Stepp, Alex Pflüger and Christof Höpler all feature distinctive wines.

As described in cellar Offering 265, Italy is also showing great promise for the 2018 vintage with new wines from Stefano Girelli’s latest venture in Sicily, Cortese, as well as classic wines from Tuscany and Piedmont.

Opimian’s Wine Consultant Jane Masters MW, tastes, selects and writes the commentary for each of the wines in the cellar offerings. Celebrating her 21st year as a Master of Wine this year (one of 378 globally), Jane held the position of Chairman of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine 2016-2018. Having trained as a winemaker at the Institut d’Oenologie in Bordeaux after a degree in Biological Chemistry, Jane worked for UK retailer Marks & Spencer running the Wine & Drinks Category for many years. As an independent consultant Jane is constantly on the look out for exclusive wines from around the world for Opimian members. She regularly visits wine regions and meets producers and loves to share her passion and knowledge.

Featured Stepp -----------------------------------4 Weingut Pflüger----------------------- 10 Höpler--------------------------------- 14 The Wine People ---------------------- 19 Cinciano------------------------------- 28 Le Vigne di Sammarco---------------- 32 Winetraders -------------------------- 36 Avenue SRL--------------------------- 42

— Cellar 267 alberta

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Cellar 267 — alberta

Germany German wines are thriving, and export sales are growing.

Opimian works with two dynamic producers from the most exciting region, Pfalz. Germany produces some of the finest, longest lived Rieslings as well as other white varietals and increasingly high quality red wines. The Pfalz has the highest number of sunshine hours in the country, making it suitable to ripen a range of grapes. That, combined with a great harvest in 2018, means there are lots of interesting wines to choose from.

Pfalz

Stepp Gerd Stepp grew up on his parents’ vineyard and always knew he wanted to be a winemaker. His parents, their parents and their grandparents were all grape growers and members of the local winemaking co-op. Gerd has made wines in places as far flung as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Italy and Argentina, to name a few. Upon returning to the Pfalz, he has created new and different wines using fruit from his family vineyards in Bad Dürkheim and Wachenheim and has sourced grapes more widely.

“Special vineyard site selection and minimal intervention winemaking in the cellar guarantee that our wines retain their sense of place.“

photo — Sandstone walls and terraced vineyards of the Pfalz region.

— germany stepp

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1301

Stepp Riesling, Pfalz, 2018

Riesling $ 18.33

1302

Stepp Riesling vom Saumagen, Pfalz, 2017 Riesling

$ 110.00

Pale in colour with aromas of green apples, lime leaves and flint with a hint of smoke, there is no doubting this is Riesling. It is smooth with fresh apple, lemon and lime flavours with a tangy acidity and a citrus pith finish giving length on the palate. Grapes came from two vineyard sites: Herxheim am Berg and Bad Dürkheim. A long slow fermentation over two months was followed by maturation on lees for six months.

$ 21.00

A single vineyard Riesling from Kallstadter Saumagen. The composition of the soil and the south east exposition make it one of the Pfalz’s prime sites. The soil is loessloam over shell-based limestone known locally as Muschelkalk. Distinctly mineral in character, it has notes of petrol and kerosene with fresh limes. It is smooth and fresh with a limey acidity and quite tart on the finish, giving depth. Initial spontaneous fermentation by indigenous yeast and maturation on lees added texture and richness, creating a wine which should mature nicely over several years.

2019-2020, M8 D9 Green apples, lime leaves

$ 126.00

2019-2022, M8 D9

6°C Fresh lime, kerosene

6°C

Lemon, lime, fresh apples, [01] Green apples, fresh citrus finish, [02] Bacon-and-egg pizza Asian-style spicy duck legs

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Cellar 267 — alberta

photo — Gerd Stepp tasting his wines in the fermentation cellar.

Gewürztraminer, 1304 Stepp Pfalz, 2018 Gewürztraminer $ 18.33

$ 110.00

An elegant Gewürztraminer with floral aromatics and a savoury edge. It is medium bodied, soft with a firm lemony acidity, delicate flavours and a pithy finish – great to go with Thai food. Grapes grown on alluvial soils with clay, sand and gravel were handpicked and immediately slowly pressed.

Fermentation was arrested, leaving a touch of residual sweetness, and the wine was matured on lees for four months.

1303

Stepp Pinot Gris, Pfalz, 2018

Pinot Gris $ 18.00

$ 108.00

2019-2020, M8 D9 Fresh apples, peaches, lemon

6°C

Lemon, clementine, [01] Crunchy prawn dumplings

photo — A natural mutation causes the Pinot Gris grapevine to grow pink and white berries on the same bunch of grapes.

Did you know that white grapes account for 63% of Germany’s vineyards?

The early vintage and warm growing conditions in 2018 have produced a Pinot Gris with fresh apple, pear and lemon aromas. On the palate, clementine and other citrus flavours are followed by a tart lemon curd tangy finish.

Pinot Gris vines are cultivated on loamy soils with high limestone content which helps to reduce the vigour of the vines and give concentrated grapes. After picking, grapes were lightly crushed and left to macerate on skins for a short period.

2019-2021, M8 D9 Floral, savoury cheese

6°C

Lemon, citrus pith, [02] Pad Thai with shrimp

— germany stepp

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1305

Stepp Pinot Noir Rosé, Pfalz, 2018 Pinot Noir $ 18.00

1306 Stepp Pinot Noir, Pfalz, 2017 Pinot Noir

$ 108.00

Strawberry aromas and yeasty notes lead to a smooth wine which is supple and easy drinking with nice raspberry and strawberry flavours. Made from the same Pinot Noir grapes used to make the red, the juice for the rosé is drawn from the tank after just a few hours of skin contact – a method known as saignée (bled).

$ 21.17

$ 127.00

The Pfalz region has the longest sunshine hours of all regions in Germany – making it the most suitable for ripening Pinot Noir. A third of the wine was matured in new French oak barrels, the balance in older barrels for twelve months. It has a distinctly spicy oaky character on the nose and palate with flavours of dark bitter cherries emerging from the background.

It is supple with good mid-palate weight and some astringent tannins on the finish.

2019-2023, M7 D9 Spicy oak

18°C

Dark bitter cherry Pan-seared veal legs with tomato and mozzarella

2019-2020, M8 D9 Strawberry, yeasty

6°C

Raspberry, strawberry, [01] Spinach, strawberry and feta salad

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Cellar 267 — alberta

Stepp Pinot Noir 1307 *Buntsandstein*, Pfalz, 2017 Pinot Noir $ 26.50

$ 159.00

2019-2024, M7 D8 Blackcurrant, strawberry

18°C

Forest fruits

Coming from a single vineyard plot, the south east facing slope is surrounded by traditional sandstone walls and terraces. The unique microclimate produces a distinctive wine with intense aromas including fresh blackcurrant, strawberries and other forest fruits. It is intensely flavoured with a grainy texture and firm acidity, giving it aging potential. Grapes were hand-picked, partially de-stemmed (60%) and placed in open top fermenters with no use of pumps. The grapes and juice were left to steep for ten days at low temperature then the fermentation initiated. The wine was matured in 60% new oak barrels and 40% second fill for eighteen months, yet the oak is less obvious than the Stepp Pinot Noir due to the concentration and structure of the Buntsandstein grapes.

Pan-seared duck breast with Jerusalem artichoke purée and Brussels sprouts

Nothing beats a Buntsandstein Pinot Noir!

photo — Buntsandstein soils are typical of the Pfalz and yield concentrated grapes and amazing wines.

— germany stepp

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Cellar 267 — alberta

germany

Bad Dürkheim

Weingut Pflüger Alex Pflüger took over the running of the family estate from his father, an organic farmer, in 2010.

A keen practitioner of biodynamics, the estate has been fully Demeter certified since 2008, meaning that there is no use of pesticides or insecticides used in the 18 hectares of vineyards. Areas are set aside to encourage biodiversity and create natural habitats for insects and birds. Alex views biodynamics as a return to old values, with living soils producing more intense and interesting wines.

“The wonderful hospitality and lust for life of the people in our area will always be part of our wines.“

photo — Alex Pflüger and his wife Aline with one of their daughters Lina in their Dürkheimer Michelsberg vineyard.

— Germany Weingut Pflüger

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1308

Pflüger Riesling, Bundsandstein, Qualitätswein, Pfalz, 2018 Riesling $ 21.83

$ 131.00

Riesling grapes for this wine come from plots in the villages of Dürkheim, Wachenheim and Friedelsheim, where vines are cultivated on typical red sandstone soils. Grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks, producing a fresh lemon and quince flavoursome wine. With just a tad of sweetness to offset the natural acidity, it tastes dry and has good depth. Alex’s wines are produced using the same philosophy as in the vineyard, without use of enzymes or fining agents. Spontaneous natural fermentation is arrested by chilling the wine towards the end of fermentation.

2019-2022, M7 D8 Lemon, quince

6°C

Fresh apples, citrus pith, [01] Lobster ravioli

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Cellar 267 — alberta

top photo — The Pfalz region is Germany´s second

largest wine area. The Palatinate forest ensures a unique microclimate that leads to elegant wines.

Pflüger Michelsberg

1309 Riesling, Qualitätswein, Pfalz, 2017

Riesling $ 31.50

$ 189.00

2019-2023, M7 D8 Caramelized pineapple, orange peel

6°C

Just a small quantity is produced from this single vineyard in Michelsberg, giving a distinctive characterful wine.

Michelsberg is a five-hectare “Grosse Lage”, or Grand Cru site, with old Riesling vines planted on terraces facing south. The 2017 has an intense bouquet with toffee, caramelized pineapple and orange peel with a hint of earth. It is rich and smooth with lingering flavours of bitter orange and barley sugar. After fermentation, it spent nine months maturing in tank.

Bitter orange, barley sugar, [01] Lobster spring rolls with orange

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1310

Pflüger Sauvignon Blanc, Quarzit, Qualitätswein, Pfalz, 2018

Pflüger Dürkheimer Pinot Noir, Qualitätswein, Pfalz, 2017 Pinot Noir

Sauvignon Blanc $ 21.83

1311

$ 131.00

$ 149.00

$ 24.83

Pflüger planted Sauvignon Blanc in 2010, seeing a great potential for the grape given the cool climate and terroir. Alex tells me that Sauvignon under the name of Muskatsylvaner was planted in the region before the two World Wars, but then disappeared in favour of more productive varieties. It is now cultivated in several different plots around the village of Bad Dürkheim (Bad means “spa” in German, rather than anything sinister). Soils tend to be lighter quartzite and warmer and in 2018 have produced a wine with white peaches, lychees and tropical fruit aromas. It is broad in structure with more of the tropical fruit flavours and a long complex finish.

A wonderful wine with an intense bouquet that gives any decent Burgundy a run for its money. This is Pinot Noir at its best, complex with red berries, wild strawberries and chocolate. It is multidimensional with layers of flavour.

Light to medium bodied, it is supple with a long Pinot Noir and vanilla finish. The Pinot Noir vineyards are planted on sandy soils on warm sites in Nonnengarten and Fronhof, close to Bad Dürkheim. After fermentation in tank, the wine was matured for 12 months in large casks made from locally grown oak.

2019-2020, M8 D9

2019-2024, M7 D9

White peach, lychees, tropical fruit

6°C

Wild strawberries, chocolate

18°C

Complex, tropical fruit, [01]

Red fruits, vanilla

Dungeness crab and citrus salad with avocado

Pork tenderloin with parsnips purée, braised chard, golden raisins and pine nuts

bottom photo — Castles, monasteries and relics of Roman settlements can be found in the Pfalz.

Viticulture in this area is more than 2000 years old.

— Germany Weingut Pflüger

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Cellar 267 — alberta

Austria The Austrian wine trade has completely reinvented itself since the wine scandals of the 1980s when its reputation was shot to pieces when several wineries were found to be adulterating their wines with anti-freeze. It is now known for producing food-friendly wines and has developed a reputation for world-class dessert wines.

Breitenbrunn, Burgenland

Höpler

The Höpler vineyards and winery lie close to Lake Neusiedl and Austria’s border with Hungary in Burgenland. Christof Höpler oversees 50 hectares of vineyards on the north western side of the lake in the Leithaberg hills. He makes elegant wines with a touch of minerality. The shallow-reeded lake (just three feet deep) plays a key role in the climate of the region and allows for the development of noble rot, which is so important in the production of Höpler’s sweet Trockenbeerenauslese.

“Our wines grow and mature in harmony, developing strong characters and finding their own identity.“

photo — The beautiful garden of the Höpler Wine Rooms in Winden am See. Höpler’s 8 Wine Rooms offer a sensory tour to the world of wine.

— Austria Höpler

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1312

Höpler Grüner Veltliner, Qualitätswein, Burgenland, 2018

Höpler Sauvignon Blanc, Burgenland, 2018

$ 117.00

$ 22.33

Fresh apples, flint Apples, nectarines, lime, [00]

$ 134.00

2018 Sauvignon Blanc has a broad structure with floral notes, sour gooseberry flavours and an earthy spiciness to it. Grapes were picked on August 27, 2018 and fermented at cool temperature, leaving a touch of sweetness.

Grüner Veltliner wines helped to turn around the fortunes of Austrian wines by producing good quality, food friendly styles. Christof’s 2019, tasted as a tank sample, was restrained with typical fresh apple aroma and some flintiness. It is smooth on the palate with more apple and nectarine flavours leading to a crisp lime finish.

1314

Höpler Rosé Célestia, Qualitätswein, Burgenland, 2018 Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, Blaufränkisch

Sauvignon Blanc

Grüner Veltliner $ 19.50

1313

$ 20.00

$ 120.00

Delicately pale pink in colour, 2018 Rosé Célestia is a complex rosé with flavours of strawberry leaf, fresh apples and pears. It is dry and refreshing on the palate with a slight spritz and bitter cherry finish. Rosé Célestia is produced from a blend of Pinot Noir, St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch grapes.

2019-2020, M8 D9

2019-2020, M8 D9

Floral

6°C

Gooseberry, earthy, [01]

6°C

Asparagus soufflé

Waldorf salad

2019-2020, M8 D9 Fennel, strawberry leaf

6°C

Apples, bitter cherry, [01] Caramelized fennel with goat cheese

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Cellar 267 — alberta

photo — Most of Höpler’s red wines spend several months in used oak barrels or in French oak.

1316

K7 Cuvée, Qualitätswein, Burgenland, 2016 Blaufränkisch, Syrah, Merlot $ 23.83

$ 143.00

Don’t miss Jane Masters’ take on Austrian red grapes in Vino Etcetera.

1315

Höpler Trockenbeerenauslese, Prädikatswein, Burgenland, 2017 Welschriesling, Sämling 88 $ 34.17

$ 205.00

2019-2026, M6 D8 Caramelized orange, vanilla, earth

6°C

Apricot skins, bitter sweet finish, [10] Buttery vanilla pudding

photo — Michael Molnar, who works in the vineyard and cellar, during the harvest. The Höpler’grapes are carefully selected—a signature of high quality wine.

Austria produces some of the finest dessert wines in the world. The region around Lake Neusiedl creates an environment perfect for the development of noble rot. Höpler’s 2017 Trockenbeerenauslese is a blend of 20% Sämling 88 and 80% Welschriesling grapes that were left on the vines. Grapes were picked between November 19 and 29, 2017 after having shriveled and dried, giving an unctuous concentrated juice when pressed. The wine is golden yellow in colour with a complex bouquet of barley sugar, caramelized orange, some earth and a hint of vanilla. It is rich and sweet with flavours of apricots, a succulent acidity and a bitter sweet finish.

An earthy spicy red made from a blend of mainly Blaufränkisch with Syrah and Merlot (which were matured in oak for 16 months).

It is medium bodied with a powdery silky texture, well rounded with a firm tannic finish.

Grapes were all harvested by hand between September 29 and October 5, 2016. Not as expressive as the 2015 offered last year, it is supple and smooth and should develop nicely. Blaufränkisch is an early budding but late ripening variety, hence requires a warm climate to mature. It is Austria’s second most planted black grape and does well in the southern Burgenland region.

2019-2023, M8 D9 Earthy spice

18°C

Dark fruit, smooth Beef goulash with spaetzle and roasted peppers

— Austria Höpler

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Cellar 267 — alberta

Italy

The Wine People Stefano Girelli founded The Wine People with winemaking consultant Stefano Chioccioli. Despite coming from Trento in the far north of Italy, Stefano Girelli was drawn to Sicily many years ago, believing that its warm climate and rugged soils had the potential to produce world-class wines in the most natural way possible. The company also makes wines in Tuscany and Puglia.

“Quality, indigenous grapes, respect for the terroir and regional cultures are our most important values.“

photo — Tradition is alive at Azienda Agricola Cortese winery.

— Italy The wine people

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Sicily Azienda Agricola Cortese

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Cellar 267 — alberta

Azienda Agricola Cortese estate is Stefano Girelli’s latest venture in Sicily.

He purchased the estate in 2016 from Giovanna Cortese. At the tender age of 82, Giovanna had been tending to her 14-hectare vineyard for decades and was looking to retire. Despite this, it took Stefano six years to convince Giovanna that he was the right person to sell her legacy to. The estate is located close to the hilltop town of Ragusa in southern Sicily. Initially, Stefano had planned to use the grapes to increase production of wines already in his range, however the sheer quality of what was being produced led him to create a separate estate label. The focus is on organic wine production using traditional Sicilian grape varieties and old winemaking practices.

photo — Cortese is synonymous with respect for biodiversity: like family, all vines are individuals, yet share some characteristics.

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Taste the difference in these organically-grown Cortese wines.

1317

Nostru Carricante, IGP Terre Siciliane, 2018 Carricante $ 17.33

$ 104.00

Carricante is a grape variety mostly cultivated on the slopes of Mount Etna that grows well at altitude, with the vineyards all above 400 metres. The name, coming from Sicilian dialect “u carricanti”, means “heavily laden” and refers to the naturally high quantity of grapes the variety produces if not tempered through pruning. Pale in colour, the 2018 has ripe fresh fruit aromas of lemon and green apples. It is crisp with a pure crystalline structure and refreshing acidity. The funky label depicts the baroque San Giorgio cathedral in the city of Ragusa.

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1318

Nostru Nerello Mascalese, IGP Terre Siciliane, 2018 Nerello Mascalese $ 17.33

$ 104.00

Nerello Mascalese likely originated from the commune of Mascali close to the coast, east of Mount Etna. Intensely coloured, Nostru Nerello Mascalese 2018 is brimming with blueberries, blackcurrant and a touch of vanilla. It is light to medium bodied with fine tannins.

2019-2020, M8 D9 Lemon, green apples

6°C

2019-2021, M8 D9 Blueberries, blackcurrant

16°C

Citrus, crisp, [00]

Fresh fruits, vanilla

Polpo Bollito (Italian boiled octopus)

Sicilian arancini di riso – fried stuffed rice balls

— Italy The wine people

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new

1319

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Vanedda, Bianco, IGP Terre Siciliane, 2017 Grillo, Catarrato $ 21.33

1320

Sabuci, Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, DOCG, 2017 Nero d’Avola, Frappato

$ 128.00

$ 25.33

$ 152.00

Vanedda is produced from two classic white Sicilian varieties fermented on their skins (unusual for white winemaking) with techniques that were used to make wines in years gone by. The result is a wine with lots of personality – aromas of yellow fruits, buttery coconut oak with cooked pineapple fruit flavours on the palate. It has a refreshing acidity with some phenolic pithy character adding length. Grapes were hand harvested into small baskets and chilled for 24 hours. After careful de-stemming, the juice fermented on skins for several days was then run into large oak botti.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria is the only DOCG on the island of Sicily. The Cortese estate located in the hamlet of Sabuci is a prime spot for growing Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes to produce Cerasuolo di Vittoria. The 2017 has dark fruits with fresh blackcurrant aromas.

It is supple, medium bodied with a good juicy mid-palate and a long bitter cherry finish.

70% of the blend is Nero d’Avola fermented in open top barrels. 30% is Frappato grapes fermented in terracotta amphorae. Used by the ancient Greeks, the natural porosity of terracotta allows a slow exchange of oxygen during the fermentation and the wine is left on skins for twelve months. The two varieties were subsequently blended together and matured in oak botti.

2019-2020, M8 D9

2019-2022, M8 D8

Coconut, nectarines

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6°C

Dark fruit, blackcurrant

18°C

Cooked pineapple, [00]

Fresh forest fruits, bitter cherries

Baby spinach salad with pears, toasted pine nuts and crumbled gorgonzola cheese

Anelletti al forno with Sicilian ragù

Cellar 267 — alberta

photo — Stefano Girelli and the winemakers sample Frappato during the alcoholic fermentation in amphora.

new

1321

Dea del Mare Catarratto Pinot Grigio, IGP Terre Siciliane, 2018 Catarratto, Pinot Grigio $ 78.00

$ 13.00

Grown in the region around Trapani in the west of the island, this is a blend of the indigenous Cataratto grape with 40% Pinot Grigio. Tasted as a tank sample in January, the wine had ripe peaches and appley aromas with more lemon and spicy flavours in the mouth, finishing on notes of citrus pith.

2019-2020, M8 D9 Peaches, apples

6°C

Spicy, citrus pith, [01] Antipasto

new

1322

Indesio Shiraz, IGP Terre Siciliane, 2018 Shiraz $ 80.00

$ 13.33

Toast to Silicy’s wine revolution with one of these amazing wines.

A smooth Shiraz with flavours of mixed forest fruits and spices, Indesio conjures up images of Sicilian sunshine. it is medium bodied, supple and dangerously gluggable.

2019-2021, M8 D9 Forest fruits, spice

18°C

Smooth, blackberries Tomato garlic pasta

photo — Sicily’s wine renaissance started 40 years ago, and the wines continue to get better and better.

— Italy The wine people

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1323

Fedele Rosso, IGP Terre Siciliane, 2018 Nero d’Avola, Merlot, Syrah $ 85.00

$ 14.17

Fedele Rosso is produced mainly from the Nero d’Avola grape with a touch of Merlot and Syrah. Vines are farmed organically and trained using the traditional Spalliera system. Grapes were picked, destemmed and light crushed prior to fermenting at 28°C. 2019-2021, M8 D9 Savoury, spice

18°C

Chocolate Gnocchi with pumpkin, ricotta, pine nuts and sage butter

new

1324

Rupe Secca Nero d’Avola, DOC Sicilia, 2018 Nero d’Avola $ 15.17

$ 91.00

A light and fruity Nero d’Avola with aromas of raspberries, redcurrant and almonds.

This wine could be served chilled. It has a refreshing acidity and is well balanced. Grapes were grown inland in the hills around Riesi.

2019-2021, M8 D9 Redcurrants, almond

10°C

Raspberry Chicken stuffed with foie gras and truffles

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Cellar 267 — alberta

top photo — Dea del Mare, the “Sea goddess”, is The

Wine People’s tribute to the power of nature that always renews tself like a vine plant.

Veneto

Abruzzo new

1326

Dea Del Mare Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, DOC, 2018 Montepulciano $ 13.33

$ 80.00

Deep in colour with appealing aromas of cherry yogurt and blackberries, the Dea del Mare Montepulciano is soft, supple and very moreish. Grapes came from select vineyards in the Pescara and Chieti provinces of Abruzzo and were hand-picked in late September and early October.

new

1325

Indesio Pinot Grigio, DOC Delle Venezie, 2018 Pinot Grigio $ 13.33

$ 80.00

Indesio Pinot Grigio is a less expressive wine with subtle white fruit and fresh pear aromas. It is light to medium bodied with a fresh crisp and persistent finish. Grapes grown in the Veneto region in the northeast of Italy were picked by hand in mid-August.

After pressing the grapes, the juice was chilled and left to naturally sediment prior to racking and then fermented below 18°C. 2019-2020, M8 D9 Fresh pears

bottom photo —The winemakers at Cortese are going back to the time when making wine organically was not a choice, but the only way.

6°C

2019-2021, M8 D9 Cherry yogurt

White fruits, lemon, [00]

Supple, juicy fruits

Grilled sea scallops

Stewed rabbit

18°C

— Italy The wine people

25

Tuscany 1327

Sogatia Chianti DOCG, 2018

Sangiovese, Cannaiolo $ 14.50

$ 87.00

A medium bodied Chianti brimming with red berry fruits – red cherries, raspberries. A small amount of Cannaiolo was blended with Sangiovese and the grapes fermented in tank. The wine is firm in structure.

1328

Sogatia Chianti Riserva, DOCG, 2016 Sangiovese $ 15.33

Sogatia Chianti Riserva 2016 shows some nice development with tertiary aromas of forest floor and a hint of smoke. It is medium bodied with good depth and a firm finish. Sangiovese grapes were fermented in concrete tanks with regular pumping over and maceration on skins for ten days.

The wine was aged for twelve months in Slavonian oak vats.

2019-2021, M8 D9 Red berries, raspberry

26

18°C

$ 92.00

2019-2022, M8 D9 Dark fruit, woodlands

18°C

Red cherries, firm tannins

Medium bodied

Eggplant parmigiana

Spezzatino d'agnello finocchio - lamb and fennel stew

Cellar 267 — alberta

1329

Altadonna Chianti Classico, DOCG, Chioccioli Altadonna, 2016

1330

Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah $ 22.00

Sangiovese, Merlot

$ 132.00

Brothers Niccolo and Enrico inherited a passion for wine from their father – Stefano Chioccioli, a well-known and respected consultant. The brothers chose to “return to the soil” (Enrico trained as a lawyer) and they do everything from pruning to bottling themselves. Their 2016 has a spicy incense aroma leading to a concentrated structured palate with flavours of dark fruits and cherries. It is medium bodied with quite firm tannins and will benefit from some more time in bottle to mellow. The 12 hectares of vineyards are located in two areas – Gaiole, close to the winery, and Quercegrossa.

Grapes were handpicked into small boxes, passed on a sorting table and de-stemmed into tank then fermented on skins for 25 days. The wine was aged in two and threeyear-old oak barrels for a year.

Altadonna Chianti Classico Riserva, DOCG, Chioccioli Altadonna, 2014

$ 28.50

$ 171.00

The 2014 Riserva is starting to show a complex meaty bouquet with dark fruits, vanilla and cola. This is a medium to full bodied wine with firm oak tannins, vanilla and good depth. It is a blend of Sangiovese with a small proportion of Merlot. After fermentation in stainless steel tanks, it was matured in French oak barrels for 16 months.

2020-2024, M7 D8 Incense, spice

18°C

2020-2026, M7 D7 Mellow, dark fruits, vanilla, cola

18°C

Cherries, dark fruit

Savoury, vanilla

Bacon-wrapped pork fillet with red wine reduction and saffron-laced apple purée

Grilled venison chop with semolina gnocchi and roasted eggplant

— Italy The wine people

27

28

Cellar 267 — alberta

italy

Poggibonsi

Cinciano Cinciano estate is in a little world all of its own, sitting atop a hill in the Chianti Classico region. The only path leading to the estate is a windy narrow track. From Cinciano estate, you can look out across to the ancient towers of San Gimignano built in the 13th century by well off families wishing to display their wealth and success. The ancient hamlet of Cinciano used to be a self-sufficient community and nowadays comprises vineyards, olive groves, an Osteria serving produce from the estate and an elegantly restored villa and farm buildings. It is a haven in the region, with wines made by Andrea Biagini with Stefano Porcinai’s oversight.

“Our wines are our pride and passion. The strength of Sangiovese is our symbol, tradition is our method.“

photo —The 2017 vintage was quite warm, which emphasized the structure of Cinciano’s Chianti.

— italy Cinciano

29

1332

Cinciano Bianco, IGP Toscana, 2018 Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc $ 17.50

Cinciano Chianti Classico DOCG, 2017

$ 105.00

2019-2020, M8 D9

$ 23.00

1334

Cinciano Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, 2016 Sangiovese

Sangiovese

Fresh white fruits, melon and pear aromas give this wine lots of appeal. This is a crisp medium bodied white produced from a blend of 50% Viognier, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. It has a supple mid-palate with more peachy, floral notes emerging on the tongue which linger. Andrea Biagini and Stefano Porcinai source grapes grown on Galestro soils from neighbouring growers.

Fresh fruits, pears

1333

$ 138.00

$ 30.83

$ 185.00

Cinciano Chianti Classico 2017 is a concentrated and structured wine which is medium to full-bodied. Earthy black fruits and black cherry aromas lead to a supple palate with ripe tannins and a juicy acidity. Despite the wine’s density, it is fine in texture with good mid-palate fruit. Vines are planted with a south-west exposure on stony clay soils. Grapes were harvested at the end of September and fermented in glass lined concrete tanks.

2020-2025, M6 D8

6°C

Floral, peaches, [00]

Black cherries

Grilled chicken pasta salad with caramelized onion, broccoli and mango

Concentrated, structured

18°C

Bucatini with sausage and peas

Mellow oaky aromas of caramel and vanilla cream complement dark fruits. The oak is apparent but deliciously integrated, leading to a soft smooth palate. Cinciano Chianti Classico Riserva is medium bodied with black cherry and liquorice flavours which persist and are complemented by a fine powdery texture. Grapes for Riserva came from older vines on the estate with a minimum of 45 years age. These were picked in early October at optimum ripeness. The wine was matured up to 18 months in large Slavonian oak casks and will benefit from further time in bottle before reaching its peak.

2020-2026, M7 D8 Mellow caramel, vanilla Black cherry, liquorice Stewed rabbit with ratatouille

30

Cellar 267 — alberta

18°C

1335

Cinciano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, 2014

Cinciano Pietraforte, IGP Toscana, 2013 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese

Sangiovese $ 34.83

1336

$ 209.00

Cinciano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is produced from a special selection of the best grapes grown on the estate. These were picked by hand in the first half of October 2014 and were fermented in tank with an extended maceration for 30 days.

After malolactic fermentation, the wine was matured in casks for up to 24 months, producing a structured wine with firm tannins and good length. On the nose it has aromas of blackcurrant, old oak and undergrowth. It is medium bodied with a juicy blackcurrant acidity and some chewy tannins, finishing on a persistent bitter chocolate note.

$ 37.00

$ 222.00

Pietraforte is Cinciano’s Super Tuscan produced from a blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Sangiovese. Despite its six years of age, the 2013 remains youthful with fresh blackcurrant aromas. It is tight and structured, medium to full bodied with some grippy tannins and will benefit from several more years in bottle. Flavours of black cherry and bitter chocolate come to the fore with a bit of aeration. It was matured for 18 months in medium toasted French oak barrels.

2021-2028, M6 D7 Blackcurrant, vanilla

photo — Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, blended in Pietraforte IGT Toscana, improve between 18 and 24 months in French oak barriques for an elegant wine.

18°C

2021-2028, M6 D7 Blackcurrant

18°C

Bitter chocolate, blackcurrant

Bitter chocolate, black cherry

Slow-braised lamb served with creamy polenta and seasonal vegetables

Venison ravioli with wild mushrooms

— italy Cinciano

31

32

Cellar 267 — alberta

ITALY

Cellino San Marco

Le Vigne di Sammarco The Rizzello family has 180 hectares in Italy’s “heel” at Cellino San Marco in the heart of Puglia, between Brindisi and Lecce. The peninsula is surrounded by seas – the Adriatic Sea and Strait of Otranto on one side and the Gulf of Taranto and Ionian Sea on the other. This is a rural agricultural region with olive groves, figs, orange trees as well as vineyards. Old bush vines are farmed in a traditional manner. Puglia has a dry climate and benefits from sea breezes and an underground network of watercourses flowing through the limestone bedrock. Wines produced are rich and high in alcohol with sweet berry fruits.

“Salento is perpetually sun-kissed and caressed by the wind that carries the scent of the Mediterranean Sea to the vineyards.“

photo — Each vine is a part of the identity of this land.

It is the wild and rugged singing voice of the Salento.

— italy Le Vigne di Sammarco

33

1337

Chardonnay, IGP Salento, 2018

Chardonnay $ 14.83

$ 89.00

1338

Rosato, IGP Salento, 2018

Negroamaro $ 14.83

1339

Primitivo Di Manduria DOP, 2017 Primitivo

$ 89.00

$ 16.33

$ 98.00

Fruity aromas of pear and gooseberries with nuts give this wine lots of appeal. It is soft with some residual sweetness. Chardonnay grapes were picked in August and softly pressed. The juice was fermented at low temperature, leaving 10 g/l of natural sugar.

Negroamaro grapes were picked, lightly crushed and left to macerate on skins for 12 to 14 hours.

It has intense aromas of pear drops and red berry fruits with a flavoursome palate and crisp acidity.

The warmth of the region shows in this Primitivo, conferring a raisined fruit character combined with fresh red berries. On the palate it has sweet berry fruits leading to a grippy finish.

2019-2020, M8 D9

2019-2020, M8 D9

2019-2021, M8 D9

Melons, pears, nuts

34

6°C

Intensely aromatic

6°C

Red berries

Smooth, [02]

Pear drops, red berries, [02]

Raisins, grippy

Parmesan cheese risotto with Parma ham chips

Penne alla arrabiata

Orecchiette with pork ragù

Cellar 267 — alberta

18°C

photo — Le Vigne di Sammarco has succeeded in the long search for the right balance between innovation and tradition.

Salice Salentino Riserva, DOP, 1340 2015 1341 Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera $ 16.33

$ 98.00

Cellino San Marco lies to the north of the DOP region of Salice Salentino. Red wines are based on the sought after Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera grapes – in this case it is an 80:20 blend. Riserva requires 24 months of maturation prior to release and Le Vigne di Sammarco’s 2015 spent nine months in old oak barrels, producing a wine with mellow fruits aromas and sweet tobacco flavours.

2019-2021, M8 D9 Mellow fruits

16°C

Solemnis, IGP Salento, Primitivo, 2016 Primitivo $ 19.00

Marked by its time in oak, Solemnis Primitivo has a distinct character of pencil shavings which sits alongside rich concentrated flavours of blackcurrants, cooked black fruits, blueberries and vanilla muffins. It is full bodied with a chewy finish.

Primitivo grapes were picked at the end of August and beginning of September. Grapes were de-stemmed and then left to macerate on skins for 18 days. The wine was matured for six months in French Allier oak barrels.

Sweet fruit, balsamic Venison stew with wild greens and fennel

$ 114.00

2019-2022, M8 D9 Blackcurrants, spicy oak

18°C

Blueberry muffins, blackcurrants, vanilla Braised lamb shanks with crushed herbed potatoes

photo — The third generation of the Rizzello family.

Right to left: Francesca, Marco and Carmine, during the harvesting period.

— italy Le Vigne di Sammarco

35

“As part of the same country that created Ferrari and Gucci, we also share a similar passion for excellence.“

36

Cellar 267 — alberta

italy

Piemonte

Winetraders Winetraders specializes in Italian wines. Here we feature a few gems from their portfolio.

new

1343

Cabutto, Tenuta La Volta, Langhe Nebbiolo, DOC, 2017 Nebbiolo $ 33.50

$ 201.00

The Cabutto family own approximately 20 hectares of vineyards in and around Barolo and Piemonte. Nebbiolo grapes for the Langhe 2017 came from vineyards in Novello and La Morra. The wine is a vibrant ruby colour with aromas of redcurrant and cranberries with herbal and earthy notes in the background.

2017 was a dry vintage with warm spring temperatures early in the season, followed by a drop in temperature and risk of frost towards the end of April. Grapes were harvested in October and the wine vinified and aged in tank with no use of oak.

2019-2024, M7 D9 Redcurrant, cranberry, herbs

18°C

Red fruits, bitter cherry Rosemary braised pork shank with braised greens

photo — The Grechetto del Poggio vineyard is located on a beautiful hilly slope, and considered to be one of the finest in the DOC.

— italy winetraders

37

Tenuta La Volta, 1344 Cabutto, Barolo, DOCG, 2015 Nebbiolo $ 70.67

$ 424.00

Cabutto Barolo 2015 shows nice tertiary characters with meaty notes and a hint of leather over red cherry fruits and vanilla.

The wine has some grippy tannins with a juicy acidity and lingering flavours of dried fruits and treacle. Made in an exceptional vintage, 2015 was characterized by a very cold winter with lots of snow followed by a rainy spring – a blessing given the hot summer that followed. Grapes were left on skins for a long maceration, then the wine was aged for nearly three years in large Slavonian oak casks.

2019-2024, M7 D9 Meaty, leather, cherries

18°C

Balsamic, vanilla, raisin Brasato al Barolo with truffled mashed potatoes

38

Cellar 267 — alberta

photo — Organically grown Sangiovese vines at Tenuta Moriniello use interim crops to increase organic matter and nutrient availability.

1345

Zucchetto Valdobbiadene, Extra Dry, Prosecco Superiore, DOCG, Azienda Agricola Paolo Zucchetto, 2018

Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Colorino

Glera $ 21.83

$ 131.00

$ 18.33

$ 110.00

Azienda Agricola Zucchetto specializes in producing fine sparking Valdobbiadene wines. Winemaker Carlo Alberto Zucchetto is the third generation in his family, working alongside his father Paolo who takes care of the vineyards. Produced from Glera grapes, this Prosecco was fermented and matured for five months in tank. The 2018 Extra Dry has a fine even mousse with pear and lily aromas. It is smooth and well balanced with good midpalate weight and a crisp apple finish.

A Chianti with herbal fruits, smoke and good depth. It was organically produced from Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and Colorino grown on the Pieve estate at Montaione. The Tognetti family farm approximately 15 hectares of vines at 240 to 500 metres. Le Pieve 2016 was fermented and matured in old concrete tanks.

2019-2021, M8 D9

2019-2022, M8 D9

Pears, white fruits

photo — At I Pàstini, all the grapes are harvested by hand. Gianni Carparelli and his wife Lisa are in the front row on the right.

Pieve Chianti, DOCG, Tenuta 1346 La Moriniello, 2016

6°C

Smoke, herbal fruits

18°C

Fresh apples, [03]

Juicy cherries

Crostini - Italian style canapés

Sweet Italian sausage-stuffed bell peppers

— italy winetraders

39

new

1347

Orvieto, DOC, Argillae, 2018 Grechetto, Trebbiano, Malvasia, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc $ 16.50

$ 99.00

Azienda Agricola Argillae is located to the north west of the ancient Etruscan hilltop town of Orvieto, which lends its name to the DOC famous for its white wines. Vines are planted on fossilized seashell limestone soils with clay and sand. The 2019, tasted as a tank sample, had ripe tropical fruit aromas with a smooth palate and bitter citrus and mineral finish.

Each variety in the final wine was picked and vinified separately at low temperature in tank, then aged on fine lees.

IGT Umbria, 1348 Grechetto, Argillae, 2018 Grechetto $ 18.33

$ 110.00

Grechetto is a speciality of the Umbria region, increasingly renowned for its quality potential. Another tank sample at the time of tasting, it has fresh apple and limey flavours, and is medium bodied with more weight than the Orvieto with a crisp finish.

2019-2020, M8 D9 Lime, fresh apple Crisp, dry, [01] Mint and pine nut pesto with gemelli pasta and asparagus

2019-2020, M8 D9 Tropical fruits Smooth, bitter citrus pith, [01] Thai green chicken curry

40

Cellar 267 — alberta

6°C

6°C

Order this Grechetto and discover a hidden gem of Umbrian grape varieties.

1349

Colle Ticchio Cesanese del Piglio, DOCG, Corte dei Papi, 2018 Cesanese $ 18.33

1350

Macramè Primitivo, IGT Puglia, I Pàstini, 2017 Primitivo

$ 110.00

$ 16.33

$ 98.00

A distinctly oaky wine with mellow coconut aromas, it was matured in oak barrels for three months, conferring a character which complements the sweet fruits and bitter chocolate flavours.

It is succulent with concentration and a grippy finish. Produced by I Pastini winery in Puglia’s Itria valley, Primitivo grapes came from vineyards planted at between 100 and 150 metres, benefitting from cooling sea breezes.

2019-2022, M8 D9

2019-2021, M8 D9

18°C

Mellow coconut aromas

Verso Sud Susumaniello, IGP Valle d’Itria, I Pàstini, 2017 Susumaniello

The Cesanese variety has long been grown in Lazio, to the east of Rome. This is a high scoring wine with intense aromas of black cherries and blackberries.

It is rich and smooth with concentrated flavours of black fruits and liquorice.

More savoury and dark fruit flavours emerge in the glass, and it has a fine tannin structure and poise. Grapes were picked in October with fermentation on skins for 15 days at 25°C.

Black cherries, blackberries

1351

$ 131.00

$ 21.83

Verso Sud is produced by I Pastini from the local variety Susumaniello. This varietal is often found blended with other grape varieties, so this 100% Susumaniello is a rarity in itself. Deep ruby in colour, it has intense aromas of raspberries, spices, cooked patisseries and milk chocolate. It is soft and supple with vanilla, red berry and strawberry flavours with a spicy finish. The oak is very obvious, giving support and length to the wine. It does not completely dominate but it is certainly present.

16°C

Black fruits, savoury, liquorice

Sweet fruits, bitter chocolate

Coda alla vaccinara (Roman oxtail stew)

Oxtail braised with tomato and celery

2019-2023, M7 D9 Milk chocolate, raspberry, patisserie

18°C

Strawberries, vanilla, spices Arrosto misto (Italian mixed roast)

photo — The walled hill town of Orvieto is just visible in the distance, overlooking one of Italy’s most famous DOC.

— italy winetraders

41

42

Cellar 267 — alberta

italy

Avenue SRL Werner Walch and his family grow and make wines in the Alto Adige in northern Italy. They also have a wine merchant business with links to growers across Italy in the classic regions of Piemonte and Tuscany as well as lesser known regions.

“With generations of expertise in the Italian wine market, we are able to select and choose from a wide range of producers – Werner Walch and wines.“

photo — Cantine Ariola covers an area of about 70 hectares. Viticulture still follows the seasonal rhythms.

— italy avenue SRL

43

Piemonte 1352

Vitevecchia, Dolcetto d’Alba, DOC, Terrenostre, 2018 Dolcetto $ 17.50

$ 105.00

Pore over Vino Etcetera’s truffle article while pouring an Opimian wine from Piemonte.

A vibrant wine with intense fruit aromas of blackcurrant and fresh apples. This Dolcetto is soft and smooth with dark fruit flavours that linger on the palate. It is medium bodied with a powdery texture. Dolcetto is the softest of the black grapes from Piemonte, producing wines that express their full flavour suited for early drinking. Vines are trained with the Guyot system and grapes harvested at the end of September.

2019-2022, M8 D9

Dark fruit

Truffle Hunter Leda Barbera d’Alba, DOCG, Bosio Winery, 2017

Saffron pasta with chicken, eggplant, and bell pepper

Barbera

Blackcurrants, fresh apples

16°C

1353

$ 19.83

$ 119.00

Aged in new French oak barrels for eighteen months, the 2017 Truffle Hunter Leda Barbera d’Alba develops a smoky character in the glass. Initially, mellow aromas of dark fruits with just a hint of vanilla emerge, leading to a complex and concentrated wine with layers of fruit and flavour. It is fine in texture with a delicious bitter cherry finish and will continue to develop.

2019-2023, M7 D9 Mellow, vanilla, dark fruits

18°C

Black fruit, oaky, smoke Brasato al vino rosso

44

Cellar 267 — alberta

photo — Graziano and Francesco Nicosia.Thanks to the passion of five generations, Nicosia winery now plays a leading role in the Sicilian winemaking scene.

1354

Truffle Hunter Leda Barbaresco, DOCG, Bosio Winery, 2016

1355

Truffle Hunter Leda Barolo, DOCG, Bosio Winery, 2015

Nebbiolo $ 27.50

Nebbiolo $ 33.17

$ 199.00

The Bosio family cultivate more than 200 hectares of their own vineyards and source grapes from neighbouring growers. The Nebbiolo for this Barbaresco came from vineyards in Neive and Barbaresco, planted at 200 to 300 metres on clay calcareous soils. Typically light in colour, it has aromas of redcurrants, wood and a subtle hint of green leaf. It is a supple wine, medium bodied with fine texture and more flavours of redcurrants, cranberries, bitter cherries and a long chocolate finish on the palate. Truffle Hunter Leda Barbaresco is a wine with good intensity and depth produced from a wellstructured vintage which merits keeping.

After vinification in tank, the wine was matured for 24 months in oak barrels.

Showing some tertiary characters with forest floor, meaty, spicy and woody notes, this is a complex wine. Nebbiolo was harvested from prime sites around the village of Verduno. After tank fermentation it was matured for three years in French oak barrels. It is supple on the palate with savoury marmite flavours and a juicy acidity complemented by fine-grained tannins, giving a powdery texture and a long bitter cherry and chocolate finish.

2020-2026, M7 D8

2020-2028, M6 D7

Redcurrant, green leaf

photo — Bosio Winery’s Nebbiolo vineyards, where they carefully select the grapes destined to become a Truffle Hunter wine.

$ 165.00

18°C

Woody, meaty, savoury

18°C

Woody, cranberry

Bitter cherry chocolate

Roast duck breast with braised Swiss chard, rhubarb confit and smoked shallots

Herb-and-salt crusted standing rib roast with morel sauce

— italy avenue SRL

45

Emilia-Romagna

Marche 1357

Check out our Verdicchio and Pontemagno featured in last year’s Discovery case.

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico, DOC, 2018

new

1356

Il Lambrusco di Marcello, Grasponero, IGP Emilia, Vino Frizzante, Vini Ariola, 2018 Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani

Verdicchio, Malvasia $ 15.00

$ 90.00

1358

Pontemagno Rosso Piceno, DOC, 2018

A seriously delicious example of this traditional red sparkler from EmiliaRomagna, it has a foamy purple head on pouring, and exudes aromas of blackberry and raspberry fruits. Pure berry flavours are enhanced by the gentle spritz and tangy acidity which lead to a red cherry finish. It is relatively light in alcohol at 10.5% with some residual sweetness that make it even the more appealing. Grapes were grown around the hills of Parma.

A smooth white with some nutty flavours and typical bitter grapefruit character on the finish. It is a blend of 85% Verdicchio with 15% Malvasia grown on the hilly slopes around Ancona. The Castelli di Jesi name alludes to the fortified villages built around the region in Medieval times. The proximity to the coast and the Adriatic Sea and the rivers that traverse the region provide cooling onshore wines in the morning and offshore in the late afternoon, creating a temperate climate that is ideal for white wines grapes.

This is a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Montepulciano with a soft supple palate. Aromas of herbs such as tarragon mingle with red cherries. It is quite light bodied but has some grip on the finish, giving length and personality.

2019-2021, M8 D9

2019-2020, M8 D9

2019-2021, M8 D9

$ 19.33

Raspberry, blackberry

46

$ 116.00

12°C

Nuts, white fruit

5°C

Sangiovese, Montepulciano $ 15.33

Herbs, tarragon, red cherry

Tangy cherry, raspberry, [01]

Smooth, grapefruit, [01]

Grippy finish

Mushroom pizza

Watermelon cucumber salad

Porchetta-style roast pork

Cellar 267 — alberta

$ 92.00

16°C

Sicily new

1359

Tenute Nicosia, Etna Rosso, DOC, Fondo Filara, Contrada Monte Gorna, 2016 Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio $ 28.17

$ 169.00

Etna wines are renowned for their minerality and “volcanic” nature, and this wine certainly has bags of personality. Aromas of fresh herbs, cut grass and mint precede a relatively light palate with firm acidity, redcurrant and bitter cranberry flavours with supple tannins. Fondo Filara is a tightly wound wine with astringency and freshness. It is a blend of 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio. The vineyards lie between 650 and 750 metres on volcanic sandy soils rich in minerals. Grapes were harvested in late October, macerated and fermented before maturing for five to six months in barrels then three to four months in large casks.

2019-2022, M8 D8 Mint, fresh cut grass

16°C

Redcurrant, cranberry Polpettine di tonno e ricotta (tuna meatballs with ricotta)

photo — Nicosia is a dynamic, modern and efficient company that looks towards the future, but without forgetting tradition.

— italy avenue SRL

47

Our Programs Opimian’s wine programs are designed to help you develop your palate at each stage of your journey. It starts with Discovery; once you’ve cultivated your curiosity and explored the wine world, you can graduate to Select Plus — the “next level” mixed cases, with both ready to drink wines and wines for aging. After you’ve challenged your palate and started your cellar, it’s time to start collecting with Founders’ Choice — premium wines available exclusively through this program. You do not have to worry about deadlines or ordering procedures since Opimian automatically places an order on your behalf with every new Cellar Offering. Your preferred payment will be used, then your wine is shipped and you will receive a Pick Up Notice indicating where to pick it up. Visit opimian.ca for more information.

Eager to learn your way around the world of wine or simply enjoy a selection of bottles for everyday drinking? The Discovery program has it all. Over the course of the year, members enrolled in this program receive one mixed case of six bottles from a featured supplier per cellar offering. These wines are all for immediate drinking so you can indulge in one or two the moment they get to you. Whether you’re new to Opimian or fancy hopping on an introductory tour of the world of wine, we recommend this route. $ 90 per cellar offering The Discovery supplier for this cellar offering is Le Vigne di Sammarco.

Delve into a versatile selection of bottles and explore the four corners of the world of wine. This program features both early drinkability and mid-term aging potential bottles so you can enjoy some now and lay the others down. Throughout the year, Select Plus members receive one mixed case of six bottles per Cellar Offering. These wines may all be enjoyed young but will benefit from some maturing time. The ideal program for those who wish to expand their horizons and refine their palate one bottle at a time. $ 109 per cellar offering The Select Plus supplier for this cellar offering is The Wine People.

A collector’s dream. Dedicated to the spirit of our Founders, this program features wines that are exclusive to this program and don’t appear on our Cellar Offerings. Made up of six bottles of a premium wine with a dedicated back label and a special message with tasting notes from the producer, each of the cases you will receive represents some of the very best our producers have to offer. These bottles offer long-term aging potential so you might want to free up space in that cellar … or start building one. $ 128 per cellar offering The Founders’ Choice supplier for this cellar offering is Avenue SRL.

www.Opimian.ca MemberService@Opimian.ca

#300 - 2170 René-Lévesque West, Montreal QC H3H 2T8 T: 514-483-5551 or 800-361-9421 F: 514-481-9699