Warm up the Winter with Wines of Italy

By: Stacey Metulynsky, Groovy Grapes Sommelier

Australian Shiraz … Argentinean Malbec … Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon …

Store shelves and restaurant wine lists are stocking more and more of these “new world” wines that offer tasty, fruit driven, full bodied flavours, and modern packaging that appeal to the consumer. As the “modern wine drinker” emerges, some of the traditional, old world wine regions of countries such as France and Italy have fallen into the shadows of more trendy producers that feature labels with kangaroos, leopard prints, and other exotic creatures.

It’s easy to see why. Old world wine regions (European countries who have been making wine for centuries) have tended to maintain traditional marketing and packaging, which is sometimes confusing or intimidating to the average consumer.

For instance, old world wines are labeled by the region where the grapes were grown and the wine was produced, instead of the actual grapes used in making the wine (e.g. “Valpolicella” is a wine region, and a wine labeled as such would actually contain a blend of 3 Italian grape varieties grown there, none of which are called Valpolicella). So instead of knowing right off the bat what kind of wine is in the bottle, a consumer must first know what grapes are grown in a particular region to be able to then narrow down what kind of wine is likely to be in the bottle.

Sound confusing? It doesn’t have to be. The best way to get to know more about old world wines is to try them. Italian wines, for example, offer a great range of styles, from light and fruity to full bodied and rich, many of which are priced very competitively. Not sure where to start? Well, check out this list of winter-friendly Italian bottles. From budget to blockbuster, we’ve got you covered.

Party-friendly
Rotari Brut (Vintages 708495, $17.95)
Sparkling wine is great to kick off holiday parties, toast the new year, or sip with canapés and good friends. This one is fresh, fizzy, and made in the Traditional Method – the same way that Champagne is made in France.

Tabletop-friendly
Giovello Pinot Grigio (LCBO 580183, $10.35)
This light bodied, refreshing white is packaged in a stunning cobalt blue bottle with a dragonfly on the label. Also try its red wine partner Merlot in the blue bottles too.

Pocketbook-friendly
Farnese Sangiovese Daunia (LCBO 512327, $7.10)
You can’t ask for more for seven bucks – medium bodied red wine with ripe cherry flavours, a bit of spice, and a deep inky colour that looks expensive in the glass.

Food-friendly
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Riserva (LCBO 107276, $19.95)
A great example of why Italian wines are great with food. Try this one with pasta with tomato sauce, beef stew, or lamb.

Fire-friendly
Masi Grandarella (Vintages 961086, $28.95)
The perfect companion for a cozy evening spent relaxing by the fire. Full bodied and brimming with rich, velvety flavours of fruit and spice. Worth every penny, and if you can bear to part with it, makes a special gift too.

Chocolate-friendly
Brachetto d’Aqui (Vintages 597849, $16.95)
A sparkling, slightly sweet red wine with flavours of strawberries, perfect for fruit trays and chocolate truffles. A rare gem – grab some while it’s still available.

Stacey is a professional wine lover, writer, event planner, and educator who runs a wine events and education business called Groovy Grapes. Groovy Grapes provides wine-related education, event planning and consulting, from home-based gatherings for family and friends, to restaurant wine clubs, to large corporate events.

Go to www.groovygrapes.com/events more information about wine tasting events or email stacey@groovygrapes.com to receive the FREE Groovy Grapevine newsletter.