Wines From Another Planeta

The bean counters like to do it by money. Some winemakers and winery owners live by third party ratings of their wines, still others measure consumer interest in their wines.

The truth be known, you need all of that plus -- plenty of hard work, a bit of luck and a lot a passion. Earlier this week I met with Penny Murray, who has made her way form England to Sicily to work for the Planeta family. From the boot of Italy, Planeta has achieved just about all you can in little more than a decade, no mean feat in a country where wine success is often measured by the century.

Planeta has been in the right place - Sicily, at the right time - the early 1990s - with the right people, a passionate cast of Planeta family members, making the right kind of wine - they turn out a clever mix of indigenous and international grapes all sporting a Sicilian sheen.

It may sound easy but I'm not aware of any Canadian winery that has managed the same international recognition and sales that has come Planeta's way in such a short period of time. Highly rated and not the least bit cheap, Planeta easily rises above the 'rustica' image of southern Italian reds producing wines that are as elegant and stylish as its labels. All the success appears to stems from a family philosophy to take what the land gives, celebrate what is best, and focus on quality.

Planeta is a competitor's worst nightmare. Young, slick, exotic, making, different-from-the-norm wines that are high quality, stylish and food-friendly wine. We don't have enough listings here, because like any winery that gets those kinds of accolades, the wines are allocated globally and only the sharpest, brightest buyers are successful in obtaining these wines.

Planeta's Italo-Bordelais textures and structure has found huge favour in Quebec where almost all the wines are sold direct though government stores. Let's hope we can break some cases loose for the coast. At the moment Planeta splits its listing between government and private stores.

The workhorse Planeta wines are the La Segreta blends - both the bianco and rosso. Now at just under the $20 mark they should have wide appeal. The La Segreta Bianco 2006 is shockingly fresh with big mineral floral aromas and bits of honey and citrus. It's fresh on entry with tart citrus/orange rind and mineral flavours. Great for soups, cheese and lighter meats.

The Planeta La Segreta Rosso 2006 is a curious blend of néro d'Avola with merlot, syrah and cabernet franc. The nose is fresh sporting dried herbs, cassis, and smoky licorice cherry notes. The entry is soft with supple tannins and bright red berry fruits and spice. Elegant and fresh there is a whiff of dried herbs in the aftertaste. Impressive food wine. Planeta suggests fennel flavoured grilled sausages as a pairing.

If turkey is on your weekend menu Segreta Bianco or Rosso would be a fine fit.

A mix of grecanico and chardonnay delivers a viognier -like Planeta Alastro 2006. Look for plenty of lively melon fruit with floral mineral undertones. There's fine intensity of floral flavours, firm acidity and a clean crisp finish. Grilled calamari would be a great dish here.

The good thing about Sicilian merlot is you probably don't have any preconceived notions. In the case of Planeta Merlot 2004 the nose is almost aromatic, with spicy, fresh cranberry and mineral notes. The flavours are similar with a smooth, juicy, mid-palate flecked with chocolate, bay leaf notes. A stylish, cool, in the Maipo Valley, St. Emilion-style, red that should have wide appeal.

Planeta Chardonnay 2005 the first IGT Chardonnay (Indicazione Geografica Tipica Sicilia) was first produced in 1994. It's yellow colour and old fashion oak styling is somewhat alarming but the wine is extremely well made. The nose is has a pronounced honey, crème brûlée, creamy nose. On the palate it is rich and warm with peachy, hazelnut flavours with citrus and butterscotch aftertaste. For lovers of big robust, chardonnay.

I love the ripe plummy fruity Planeta Santa Cecilia 2005. The entry is smooth but dry with good acidity. It's almost Bordelais elegance is a Planeta hallmark.  The flavours are intense black fruit and spicy Christmas cake, pepper, licorice and coffee. This all néro d'Avola is best served with robust dishes of grilled meats or lamb.

If you are more of a red wine person than look to the Planeta Syrah 2005. The vineyard is now 13 years old and that, in combination with only 30 per cent new French oak, yields a big, inviting red with smoky, barnyard, licorice root and roasted mulberry notes. The texture is supple with plenty of warm generous, black berry jam, and minty bay leaf and licorice flavours. At Planeta they suggest you pair it with a piece of mature Pecorino cheese. I can't wait.

PLANETA LA SEGRETA BIANCO 2006, SICILY, ITALY

Price      $19.99

UPC       08020735000016

Score     89/100

Remarks              Shockingly fresh with mineral floral honey and citrus.

PLANETA LA SEGRETA ROSSO 2006, SICILY, ITALY

Price      $19.99

UPC       802073500017 7

Score     88/100

Remarks              Elegant and fresh with a whiff of dried herbs.

PLANETA MERLOT 2004, SICILY, ITALY

Price      $49.00 private wine shops

UPC       008020735000191

Score     89/100

Remarks              Smooth juicy mid-palate with bits of chocolate and a whack of bay leaf and garrigue.

PLANETA CHARDONNAY 2005, SICILY, ITALY

Price      $49.00

UPC       008020735000160

Score     87/100

Remarks              Rich warm with peachy, hazelnut flavours with citrus and butterscotch aftertaste.

PLANETA SANTA CECILIA 2005, SICILY, ITALY

Price $49.00 private wine shops; coming to BCLDB

UPC 008020735000207