There are few lunches you want to miss less than a lunch where you get to taste through an array of Banfi wines (Italy) \u2026 on this Friday afternoon I came into Toronto to do just that.\u00a0 So let\u2019s get right into it.\u00a0 Eight wines were tasted plus a delicious lunch prepared by the chef\u2019s at Bravi Ristorante (40 Wellington Street) and hosted by Enrico Viglierchio \u2013 General Manager of Banfi and Export Manager Javier Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
We kicked off with a vintage bubbly from one of their newest projects: Vigna Regali in the Alta Langa region \u2013 a region dedicated to Sparkling wine in the traditional method.\u00a0 The 2008 Cuvee Aurora Ros\u00e9<\/strong> ($24.95) is a wine made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes aged in bottle for 24 months.\u00a0 Interesting to note that the final make up of the wine is made up of 90% current vintage wine and 10% of previous vintage wine aged in barrel, giving the wine a firmer mouthfeel.\u00a0 This is a very satisfying sparkler with strawberry, black cherry with a slight earthy quality yet is light and refreshing \u2026 great finish and nice acidity. (****+)<\/p>\n Sticking with the Vigna Regali line of wines our next wine was the 2008 La Lus Albarossa<\/strong> ($23.95) \u2026 a bottle of red made from the new Albarossa grape grown in the Piedmont region.\u00a0 Albarossa is a crossed between Nebbiolo and Barbera \u2013 the two main grapes of Piedmont \u2026Albarossa means \u201cred dawn\u201d \u2013 and because there is such an interest in this new grape it\u2019s the dawning of a new era for Piedmontese winemakers.\u00a0 10 years ago there was only 1 hectare planted, today there is between 50-60 hectares on its way to 100 or more.\u00a0 The wine is deep and rich with cherry and cranberry notes on the nose and cherry, strawberry and spiced oak on the palate \u2026 it has great acidity and a long finish.\u00a0 A gentle wine with plenty of fruit \u2026 juicy and delicious.\u00a0 Keep an eye peeled for\u00a0 this is one because you\u2019ll want to pick up a few. (****)<\/p>\n Moving to the mother line … (read about the other Banfi wines we tried and why the ’07 vintage wine will be so different – plus pictures of lunch<\/a>)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n