Gismondi on Wine: Top 50 at the Festival

GISMONDI ON WINE

OUR TOP 50 VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL PICKS

By Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe

The perennial question when attending the wine festival is what to taste? How to make best use of your time and money? Can you accomplish all you desire to taste in just 3 hours? It's a difficult job but we are going to help you on your way by giving you a list of 50 picks that should be tried and not missed. We have chosen wines from everywhere but grouped them by country and winery.

Argentina

Catena Zapata Alta Malbec 2006, Mendoza, Argentina $54

Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec 2007 Luján De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina $43

O. Fournier Alfa Crux Malbec 2006, Mendoza, Argentina $45

Pascual Toso 2006 Finca Pedregal Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina $58

Terrazas de los Andes Afincado Malbec Las Compuertas Vineyard 2006, Mendoza, Argentina$64

Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Venturin 2006, Mendoza, Argentina $45

Australia

Jacob's Creek Centenary Hill Shiraz 2005, South Australia $50

Négociants Australia Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling 2003, Clare Valley, Australia $33

Penfolds RWT (Red Wine Trial) 2006, South Australia $140

Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2005, Barossa Valley, Australia $82

Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria $51

Canada

CedarCreek Platinum Syrah 2007, Okanagan Valley $40

Mission Hill Quatrain 2006, Okanagan Valley $40

Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2007, Okanagan Valley, $40

Poplar Grove Legacy 2006, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley $50.00

Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2008, Okanagan Valley $30

Sandhill Small Lots Viognier 2009, Okanagan Valley $25

Chile

Carmen Winemaker's Reserve Red 2007, Maipo Valley Chile $52

Vina Chocalán Malvilla Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, San Antonio $24

Vina Errazuriz Kai 2006, Aconcagua Valley, Chile $90

France

M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Bernardine 2007, Rhone Valley France $50

Lanson Blanc de Blanc Champagne 1998, Champagne, France $200.00

Perrin Fils Chateau Beaucastel Red 2007, Rhone Valley France $92

Perrin Fils Gigondas La Gille 2007, Rhone Valley, France $35

Champagne de Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut Millesime 2000, Champagne France $

Germany

Bürgerspital Estate Würzburger Abtsleite Rieslaner Beerenauslese 2006, Germany $83

Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Spatlese 2008, Rheinhessen, Germany $54

Schloss Reinhartshausen Erbacher Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese 2007, Rheingau, Germany $30

Italy

Altesino 2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy $94

(Antinori Estates) Guado Al Tasso 2006, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy $94

Damilano Barolo Cannubi 2005, Piedmont, Italy $90

Rocca della Macìe Roccato 2003, Tuscany, Italy $55

New Zealand

Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Martinborough, New Zealand$22

Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2008, Martinborough, New Zealand$28

Nautilus Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand $30

Paddy Borthwick Pinot Noir 2008, Wairarapa, New Zealand $35

Staete Landt Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand $40

Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2008, Central Otago, New Zealand $40

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand $66

Portugal

(Saven) Quinta da Touquinheiras Alvarinho 2008, Vinho Verde, Portugal $30

(Symington Family) Warre's Otima 20 Year Old Tawny Port N/V, Douro Valley, Portugal $50

Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port N/V, Douro Valley, Portugal $69

South Africa

Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block, Western Cape, South Africa $45

Spain

Torres Mas la Plana and Milmanda Single Estate Chardonnay 2007

United States

Panther Creek Freedom Hill Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon $57

Peju Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Napa Valley, California $60

Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California $60

Signorello Seta 2008, Napa Valley, California $43

Seghesio Cortina 2007, Sonoma County California USA $48

Seghesio Family Home Ranch 2008, Sonoma County California USA $50