Florence’s stunning Duomo cathedral from Michelangelo Hill.
We have a friend touring through Italy, who just posted photos from Florence, the capital of Tuscany in northcentral Italy. It was 24C in brilliant sunshine as she and her daughter were touring sites like the Statue of David and the Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze), while dining on local pizza and wine al fresco.
I’m hating her right now.
For those of you stuck in the unending March-like Spring of Ontario, here’s a little bit of Tuscany that you can sample now from the LCBO.
Rocca delle Macie Moonlite Chardonnay 2020 — Tuscany, Italy ($16.95)
Full disclosure: Chardonnay is never the first white wine I reach for—certainly not when it’s heavily oaked and reeking of butter and vanilla to the point that I forget that it’s supposed to be made from grapes.
So when I actually enjoy a well-priced Chardonnay, I tend to take a second look at the bottle. In this case, I learned a lot. First off, there’s no oak, or so the winery says (I could have sworn there was a hint of it in there). This Tuscan white is reportedly aged for just three months in cement tanks, imbuing some lovely texture, and thankfully no wood. Further, while 90% is indeed Chardonnay, 10% of the composition is Vermentino. Mostly grown in Sardinia and northwest Italy, Vermentino is the sort of snappy white that will appeal to Sauvignon Blanc fans, with a little greenness and plenty of acidity. Consequently, using it as a blending grape for this wine adds a little zest to the typically laidback Chardonnay party.
Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, it offers notes of fresh lemon, honey, pear and melon, with a steadfast minerality in support. Pair it up with light appetizers, seafood, soft cheeses and white meat dishes, suggests the winery.
If you like your Chardonnay big and creamy, maybe pass on this. If you prefer it with a little more balance and zip, absolutely give it a try. 13% alc. Solid value here. 89
Castelli del Grevepesa Clemente VII Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 — Tuscany, Italy ($24.95)
I’ve said it a lot lately, but some wines should be decanted. Case in point here. I rated this two points higher (90) on Day 2 than my initial assessment. After it had been given a breather, I found it much more integrated and polished. Such deep, ripe black cherry purity, along with earth and smoke here. There are also the grippy tannins you’d typically associate with Chianti. 14% alc. and very dry at 3g/L of residual sugar. 90
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