A Tasting of Wines from Italy – Year 16 !

The Show

Depending on who you tallk to, Canada is either the 5th or 4th largest importer of Italian wine in the World.

We flat out love Italian wines.

Doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s :

WHITES

Arneis
Pecorino
Pinot Bianco
Pinot Grigio
Trebbiano-Abruzzese
Verdicchio
Vermentino

Or REDS

Barbera
Corvina
Dolcetto
Negro Amaro
Primitivo
Nebbiolo
Nero d’Avola
Sangiovese
Aglianico

They come from every part of this fabulous country:

Puglia
Sicily
Tuscany
Veneto
Piedmont
Asti
Barolo
Barbaresco
Alba
La Morra
Sienna
Chianti

And then there’s the hottest star of the show – Prosecco.

Italians don’t just sip wines. Every Italian wine has to pair with Italian food. Plain and Simple.

That fact and the work of time has made their wines into liquid art.

Even though they don’t push the organic branding as much as other countries, many Italian farmers, growers and owners have always grown organically.

My co-host for this Italian Special is Michaela Morris.

tdm and Michaela

Michaela is an international wine writer, educator, judge and speaker based in Vancouver with frequent engagements in Italy. Besides writing for several Canadian publications including Taste and Quench, Michaela contributes to Meininger’s Wine Business International and Decanter online and print magazines.

Michaela devotes much of her time traveling to wine regions around the globe and speaks English, French and Italian.

She saved me time and time again – with pronunciations, translations and introductions.

She knew most of the wine people pouring on the day. I got to ride shotgun and this show was better for it.

Thank you Michaela. Impressive work.

The annual 16th A Tasting of Wines from Italy event is organized by the Italian Trade Commission and co-hosted by the Consulate General of Italy. The event was also held in Calgary (16th edition) and in Toronto and Montréal (24th edition).