30 products
30 products
- White Wine
- Garganega
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tessari
The Tessari family have Soave in their blood. For three generations they have been extracting delectable wine from the well cared for vines of their Monteforte d’Alpone vineyards. With only a little over a hectare of Garganega grapes in the prestigious volcanic solis of Soave Classico, Antonio Tessari hand dug his cellar back in 1933 and started the legacy that continues today with his grandchildren: Germano, Antonio and Cornelia.
From vineyard to bottle, these three siblings oversee it all; with unwavering respect for tradition, quality and passion for the art of winemaking. The volcanic soils of the hillside are rich with basaltic rocks and clays, which guarantees the health of the plant and the promotes the mineral and floral aromas that are characteristic of the Garganega grape. Truly artisanal wine making at it’s best.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - David Lawrason
This shows the vivid yellow colour I expect from good Soave. It also shows the complex, detailed nose honeysuckle, lemon blossom, camomile and almost tropical peach/mango fruit. It is mid-weight, rich and viscous yet shows some enlivening freshness, spritz and tenderness at the same time. Slightly bitter and lemony on the finish. The length is excellent. Tasted January 2023.
90 points - Michael Godel
The latest volcanically driven garganega from the Tessari family is a child of a promising vintage full of sun, fun and support. The sky is the limit for just how well this will drink and please. It is in fact bottled salty and fruit crunchy deliciousness and why shouldn’t it be? Made simply with tradition in mind, basalt in pocket and all the modern facility made available. Citrus and nectarine, basil and Maldon salt. Lime all over the finish. Spot on. Drink 2023-2025. Tasted January 2023.
4 Stars - Sara d'Amato
Nervy and salty with a dash of elderflower and pear, this stylish Soave Classico is a favourite of restauranteurs. Richly textured with notes of apple and lemon zest, salt and lime. Quite chalky and dry, with a pleasant degree of roundness despite the moderate level of alcohol. Nicely balanced with a pleasant finish of good length. Drink now. Tasted January 2023.
4 Stars - John Szabo, MS
The 2021 Soave Classico from Tessari shows a fine profile of both ripe and fresh fruit, on the lighter and fresher side overall, declared at 12% alc. Citrus fruit leads - lemon-lime and white grapefruit - and length and depth are solid. Acids draw saliva, a crunchy, lively expression overall. Drink or hold short term. Good fun. Tasted January 2023.
- White Wine
- Carricante
- Sustainable, Volcanic
- Dry
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Azienda Agricola Tornatore
Out of a Sicilian family heritage that traces back to the 17th century, the Tornatore’s Mount Etna wine ventures began in 1865. Today the family’s operations are headed by Giuseppe Tornatore, a businessman whose expertise led to the acquisition of some of the region’s finest north-facing vineyards in the early 2000’s. That heritage and the Tornatore’s profound respect and understanding of the land is showcased in wines that capture the essence of Etna, deftly balancing concentrated flavors, complexity, freshness and refinement.
The company lies in the northern side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. The soils have volcanic origin and were created through the disintegration of lava, ash and stones from previous volcanic eruptions. The climate on the northern side of the Etna is characterized by mild temperatures, and more rain fall reflecting the influence of the Volcano. The combination of soil, climate and the skill of the winemakers, have made the northern slope of Etna an ideal area for the production of high-quality wines. “Our vineyards and our winery are only a few kilometers from our family home. Our entire family is rooted there. We have the greatest respect for this region, and we believe we have a responsibility to be stewards of Etna and to reflect its distinct character in our wines.” - Giuseppe Tornatore
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Megha Jandhyala
Cast in a compelling golden hue, this is a riveting Etna Bianco, made with grapes grown at an elevation of 650m on the northern slope of Mount Etna. Mineral, smoky, and savoury, it is fragrant with pineapples, apricots, and peaches. The palate is gently rounded, waxy, and salty, supported and lifted by taut acidity. Concentration and complexity are remarkable at this price-point. Length is excellent, with a lingering note of crushed rocks on the finish. Tasted December 2022.
92 points - David Lawrason
From high altitude, terraced vineyards on the north slope of Etna, this pours fairly deep lemon yellow. The nose shows ripe almost tropical fruit but foremost is the flinty, waxy note from Etna's volcanic soils. Then in comes the peach/pineapple fruit, lemon marmalade, savoury dried bay leaf, with some spice. It is full bodied but built on such great acidity and minerality that it drinks with real freshness. Very intense on the palate with lemon, herbs and rocks hitting the finish running. The length is excellent to outstanding. Tasted December 2022.
91 points - Sara d'Amato
Bright, salty and vibrant, this delectable volcanic-grown carricante has quickly become a consumer (and critic) favourite. Flavours of white pepper, ginger, laurel, pear and grapefruit contribute to the complex but ethereal flavour set. Mid-weight with a light viscosity. Lingering finish. Tasted December 2022.
91 points - Michael Godel
Hard to unearth better basaltic value than Tornatore’s Etna Bianco which serves as the great carricante pre-cursor to the white Etna oeuvre. Here comes a great white raised in concrete vats to preserve freshness and allow the salty terroir to work in such perfect cahoots with the fruit. A warm vintage and it shows but the volcano and these weathered, layered and cumulative rocky soils can never be denied. Open the dictionary, look for Etna Bianco and Tornatore will be there. Though not a wine of cru or sub-terroir specific reality it matters little because this is the place to begin your Etna journey. Drink 2022-2025. Tasted December 2022.
91 points - John Szabo, MS
A pure carricante from the north side of Etna, Tornatore's 2021 Bianco is a ripe and smoky wine, flinty, with grilled pineapple and quince, salty and briny, green olive tapenade flavours, unique and complex to be sure - it's quite rare to find such singular wines in this price category. Acids are bright and lively, alcohol a modest 12.5% declared, and length and depth very good to excellent. There's so much character on offer for under $25, though I can't call it a wine of mass appeal, more of a adventurer's selection. Drink or hold 4-6 years - I think this will age nicely. Tasted December 2022.
Decanter
91 points
Made from 100% Carricante, with fine balance between minerality and fruit and hints of sweetness; full of white peaches, balsamic herbs and a refreshing citrus finale. A nicely direct wine. Drinking Window 2019 - 2024.
91 points
Showing white blossoms and ripe fruit on the nose, this perfumed white is salty and mouthwatering on the palate, with a touch of lemon zest enlivening the flavors of Asian pear, blanched almond, chamomile and lemon oil. Drink now through 2027.
James Suckling
91 points
For a basic Etna bianco, the concentration here is very impressive, as it delivers citrus, nectarines and Granny Smith apples. Lots of energy on the medium-bodied palate, in the form of crisp acidity and a zippy finish. Drink now.
- White Wine
- Pinot Gris
- Sustainable, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Pearce Family Wines
In the early 2000's Nicholas Pearce was exposed to the garagiste movement in Bordeaux and was particularly inspired by négociants like Jean Luc Thunevin (Saint Emilion), James Sichel (Margaux) and Nicolas Potel (Beaune) from Burgundy.
After returning home to Ontario and starting his own wine company, he has had a hand in making 10+ wines in two hemispheres, 3 countries and 5 different appellations since the 2013 vintage.
Pearce Predhomme
Pearce Predhomme is a collaboration of like-minded individuals from around the globe. Founded with a mission to build and import wines from our favourite appellations while offering an unequaled value/quality ratio for the sommeliers & wine buyers in Ontario. This is a project between Toronto Sommelier and entrepreneur Will Predhomme and Ontario wine importer Nicholas Pearce they have partnered with Radford Dale in South Africa and NorthWest Wine Co. in Oregon to create these special cuvées.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
90 points - John Szabo, MS
A properly lean and stony, white fleshed orchard fruit-flavoured pinot gris from the Willamette from Toronto locals Nicholas Pearce and Will Predhomme. I like the lean, slightly saline cool fruit profile, and the lingering finish - complexity is impressive in the price category. Well made and worth a look. Tasted June 2023.
90 points - David Lawrason
This pours pale lemon. The nose is subtle yet quite alluring with peach, elderflower, vanilla, lemon and fine lees. It is medium weight, fresh and vibrant yet just off dry creating a honeysuckle effect. In its youth it is showing a touch of CO2 spritz that should dissipate by 2024. There is good fruit presence here with very good to excellent length. Tasted June 2023
90 points - Michael Godel
Top fruit vintage no doubt for this pinot gris and yet the salty Willamette streak runs through like a vein cutting the flesh of pear and white peach. A really satisfying glass of white wine is just this though admittedly not as complex as might have been expected. No matter because the quench factor runs perfectly high. Drink 2023-2025. Tasted June 2023.
- White Wine
- Olaszrizling, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
- Organic, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12% alc./vol
About the Winery
Gilvesy Pincészet
Hungarian expat Róbert Gilvesy moved back to his homeland from Canada, and began building the Gilvesy winemaking empire on the former Esterházy estate on Szent György Hill. Thanks to years of hard work, the Hegymagas-based facility now includes a modern building complex and about 13 hectares of vineyards, in addition to being the home of the family. The area is shaped by 6 million years old volcanoes, where indigenous and international varieties grow organically.
Robert’s absolute admiration for nature and the terroir translates into an immense respect for the environment. By farming using organic practices, the soils and the vines stay healthy. In the winery, by letting nature take its course without controlling the processes, and using local resources, such as Hungarian oak barrels, Gilvesy promotes and protects the Balaton region.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Michael Godel
The blend in 2021 is olaszrizling (a.k.a. welschriesling), riesling and sauvignon blanc with pinot gris no longer involved. No doubt a botanical aspect ups the complexity game away and beyond the simple norms of white blends marked by citrus and stone fruit. They are in the mix but the herbal tonic and fine bitters elevate the cuvée to speak rightly and spritely for Balaton, the Szent György Hill and Robert Gilvesy’s oeuvre. This wine is an institution now and deserves plenty of attention. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted March 2023.
91 points - Megha Jandhyala
Situated near an ancient dormant volcano, Gilvesy grows native grape varieties organically and sustainably in volcanic soils. This blend of olaszrizling, pinot gris, riesling, and sauvignon blanc is subtly reductive and mineral, with notes of freshly cut-grass, juicy grapefruits and lemons, peaches, and crunchy pears. It feels fleshy and rounded, but refreshing on the palate, with a long, pleasantly grippy finish. I like the layers of flavours here and the succulent texture. This wine is ready to drink and vegan-friendly. Tasted March 2023.
90 points - John Szabo, MS
Gilvesy's 2021 Balatoni cuvee is the customary blend of welschriesling, riesling and sauvignon blanc, crafted in an appealingly reductive, grapefruit pith and peel-inflected style, tightly wound and bone dry, mineral and fresh. I love the saltiness on the palate and the succulent acids that draw additional sips. Crunchy, fresh, lively, drinking now or hold short term. Tasted March 2023.
- White Wine
- Listán Blanco
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 12.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Viñátigo
Juan Jesús is a proud native of Tenerife and the fourth generation of growers. During the thirty years that he's overseen Bodegas Viñátigo, he has considerably increased its holdings, planting varieties that he and his team recuperated from near extinction.
Driven by passion and love for his homeland, Juan decided to revive and work to save the native grape varieties that were brought to the Canary Islands by the conquers back in the 15th century and that had survived on the islands for centuries. He is a hero of contemporary Canarian viticulture. The wealth of knowledge that his work has created has helped underpin the significant expansion of wine styles that are now available throughout the archipelago, and his wines have achieved a calibre of class that many doubted the Canaries would ever produce again. (The Epic Wines of the Canary Islands, written by Santo Bains).
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - David Lawrason
From high altitude volcanic-soiled vineyards in the Canary Islands this is from the local listan grape, also known as palomino fina, related to the white grape grown in Jerez to make sherry. It is light to medium bodied, fresh and lively with trace minerality. Not tart acidity but enough to keep it in ballast. The fruit is pear, guava, lemon amid the reductive mineral notes, plus a distinct sourdough yeastiness on the nose that immediately recalled fino sherry. The length is excellent. Tasted December 2022.
91 points - Michael Godel
Viñátigo Listán Blanco 2021 initially emits this unusually funky and exotic perfume of wet basalt or concrete mixed with washed manchego cheese rind but quickly comes together as one inviting scent. Preps the palate for wanting a taste to see what comes next and the clarity shines right away, of gemstones and the salty sweat of craggy wet stones. There is some orchard fruit but what matters most is the saline-mineral comport. It's like a compôte of imagination built on fruit and volcanics melted into a salad that spoons straight on down. Bloody delicious and well-made. Drink 2023-2027. Tasted December 2022.
91 points - John Szabo, MS
2021 marks another fine vintage for this reliably intriguing and interesting, complex wine from own-rooted listán blanco (aka palomino fino), quite ripe, showing pineapple and quince, baked apple and apple blossom flavours, less immediately flinty-reductive than the previous vintage and with more fruit. The palate is mid-weight and creamy, with balanced acids and very good length. Really delicious now, though should continue to gain in non-fruit complexity over the next 1-3 years, or hold into the mid-'20s. Tasted December 2022.
- White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Sustainable, Volcanic
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.00% alc./vol
About the Winery
Vinos Baettig
Francisco Baettig and Carlos de Carlos have been friends for more than 20 years and share a passion for high-quality wines that are genuine and connected to the land where they are made.
Their families arrived in Traiguén and Purén from Switzerland in the 19th century, where they worked in agriculture, surrounded by volcanoes, lakes and forests, silos, livestock, wagons, and wheat fields.
Francisco and Carlos' passion for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, together with their love for the land of their ancestors, was the inspiration for making their own wines that pay homage to these beloved terroirs. After studying the soil and climate in Traiguén for several years, they chose a plateau with volcanic soil between the Quino and Traiguén Rivers and planted vines in 2013.
"A promising project in a wine region that is the future of high-quality Chilean wines" - Patricio Tapia, Descorchados
Press Reviews
James Suckling
96 Points
Complexity and lots of stamina and verve here! Smoky lemons, nougat, ginger and flint provide a very flavourful palate. Intense and substantial on the palate, but still elegant and nuanced, with a hint of phenolics at the end. Long, focused finish. Think fine Meursault. Drink or hold.
Robert Parker
95 Points - Luis Gutiérrez
The 2020 Selección de Parcelas Los Primos Chardonnay was cropped from a warm and dry vintage, but in Traiguén in the south, it is not as warm as in the central valley of Chile. The grapes were harvested the first half of April; they harvested earlier and finished with more alcohol, still a moderate 13.5%, from a year of more body and rounder wines but without heat. The wine kept a pH of 3.16 and 6.9 grams of acidity. This also makes the wine a little more Burgundian, more Meursault than Chablis or Puligny, tasty, spicy with a tad more oak (all the new barrels for white are 400-liter ones, 38% of them new in 2020), because in warmer years there is a little more extraction from the oak. This is the warmest vintage so far, but the wine is still bone dry and there is no ripeness; but there's more weight and width. The wines have to show the differences of the climate conditions each year... 4,069 bottles were filled in July 2021.