Toronto Vintners Club recently hosted an unforgettable evening of wine exploration, centred around an outstanding vintage of iconic Italian wines, Barolo and Barbaresco. Held at the U of T Faculty Club on April 17 this event was a celebration of the rich flavours and nuanced characteristics of these two beloved wines.
To kick off the night, guests were treated to a glass of Cave Spring Sparkling Riesling Estate wine which was generously donated by our guest speaker, Yuuji Nagaoka. Dry and medium-bodied in style, this sparkling wine greeted attendees with a tight and fine mousse, followed by refreshing tartness. Its mineral feel with brisk acidity neatly woven into a core of ripe Gala apple fruit and nuances of pie crust made it the perfect palate cleanser and mood setter for the evening. The finish, crisp and invigorating, left lingering taste of grapefruit zest, Bartlett pear, and wet stone.
Our guest speaker for the evening, Wine Expert Yuuji Nagaoka, enlightened our guests and members about the differences between Barolo and Barbaresco. With his expertise, attendees delved into the fascinating world of these two iconic Italian wines, learning about their origins, grape varieties, and unique characteristics.
Although the event was originally planned for eight wines, a member brought a bonus wine, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tasting experience. Thus TVC members and guests had the pleasure of tasting nine different wines, each carefully selected to showcase the best of Barolo and Barbaresco. Accompanying the wines were delectable appetizers specially curated to complement the wine selections.
Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to rank the wines from their most to least favourite. These rankings were then compared with guest and table rankings, as well as a group consensus. As the night came to a close, the wines were revealed, and the group's favourite emerged - the 2013 Pier Paolo Grasso Barbis Barolo. This exceptional wine boasted a bright garnet colour with good density. On the nose, it presented a symphony of aromas, from red fruits and black cherry to plum, graphite, and balsamic notes of mint and eucalyptus. Subtle hints of juniper, berries, and light cocoa added complexity to its character, leaving a lasting impression on every palate.
Kudos to Simone D'Angelo of Tavo Wine Imports for bringing a bonus Barolo, Pier Paolo Grasso Barbis, which our group ranked number 1 in the line up!
The April event was truly a memorable evening filled with outstanding wines. We look forward to welcoming you to our future events as we continue to explore the fascinating world of wine together. Cheers to great wines and even greater company!
Here' s the pouring order and rankings. See you next month at Cool Climate Chardonnay!
