Anthony Gismondi: B.C. wine for the week of Feb. 22, a bottle to cellar and calendar items
A Taste of Italy is on March 2nd at the Vancouver Lookout (Harbour Centre) 555 W. Hastings St. and it’s a night not to be missed.
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The annual event, sponsored by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West (IICC), features a selection of rare-to-find premium Italian wines, including new arrivals.
You’ll meet some Italian producers and witness Vancouver’s stunning nighttime panorama of the Harbor Centre.
You can also purchase your favorite wine from the onsite pop-up wine shop, set up by the West Coast Liquor Company.
And there will be samples of Italian food.
• Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery, named for longtime owner Marimar Torres, is nestled on the rolling hills of Green Valley in California’s Russian River Valley.
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Marimar grew up as a fourth generation member of the Torres family of Spanish winemakers and moved to San Francisco in 1975. I remember her zeal as she planted her first vineyard in 1986 and finally a traditional Catalan farmer’s winery in 1992, an ocean away from Barcelona.
Marimar left Spain to pursue her own path in viticulture with the blessing of the family and recently announced that her daughter Christina will take over the reins at Sonoma Winery, which is solar powered and certified sustainable.
Congratulations to both of you who are exceptional role models for women in wine.
BC Wine of the Week
Orofino Syrah 2020, Similkameen Valley
$27.74 i 90/100
UPC: 626990114253
Keremeos is home to this ancient grape variety, a single-vineyard Syrah that lies above the valley floor in a wild, windy, rugged and rocky place. It is fermented natively in open fermenters and is hand-decapped twice a day before spending 16 months in older French casks.
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Minimal winemaking and just 13.2 percent alcohol are key to unleashing the wild similkameen notes that permeate this Syrah and energize its spicy, meaty nose. The tannins are structurally present but dense and sweet and laced with minerality.
Like last year but even better, that’s all you could ask for in a big, mouth-filling Syrah. This will age effortlessly, but don’t be afraid to drink it now. It’s a great bottle.
wine for the cellar
Il Fauno di Arcanum 2020, Tuscany
$48.99 I 92/100
UPC: 850202002247
According to Roman mythology, an ancient Roman statue, Il Fauno, was placed in the center of the property to protect the property from invaders.
Today the winery produces high-quality Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Reserva Sangiovese, but its IGT wines seem particularly suited to Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
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Il Fauno is a Bordeaux style blend from the heart of Tuscany composed of 41/34/20/5/ Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
The nose is a riot of savory liquorice and black cherries. The opening is rich, robust and full-bodied, black plum, balsamic cedar notes and more liquorice over a peppery, mentholated, toasted oak finish.
There are high hopes for the 2020 vintage and there is no rush to drink it. You could age it a decade effortlessly.
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