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If I Could Buy Only One – November 16th Vintages Release


We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the November 16th release, which one would it be and why?” Le Ragose Riserva Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012, Veneto, Italy$92.95, Carpe Vinum InternationalDavid Lawrason – I am rarely excited by Amarones, largely because I find them overblown. But when one comes along […] More

Buyer’s Guide to Vintages November 16th Release


Privatization’s Next Milestone – Price Competition By David Lawrason, with notes from Sara d’Amato, Megha Jandhyala and Elsa Macdonald MW “Did you know that Costco is now selling wine [in Ontario]?” The question came from an LCBO cashier I have come to know as I shop every two weeks for samples of the Vintages releases […] More

If I Could Buy Only One – November 2nd Vintages Release


We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the November 2nd release, which one would it be and why?” Morandé Vitis Única Carmenère 2021, Maipo Valley, Chile$18.95, Majestic Wine Cellars Sara d’Amato – If, like me, you favour reds with a more ethereal character, this impeccably balanced and distinctive carmenère provides exceptional […] More

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Carmenere

The Carmenère grape is a red variety originally planted in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, where it was used for blending purposes in the same manner as Petit Verdot. Now rarely found in France, the world's largest area planted with this variety is in Chile in South America. Chilean plantings, brought from France in the 19th Century, were originally thought to be Merlot, before being correctly identified in 1994 and, since then, used as a distinctive signature by the country's producers. Carmenère wine has a deep red color and aromas found in red fruits, spices and berries, with tannins that are gentler and softer than those in Cabernet Sauvignon. Although mostly used as a blending grape, wineries do bottle a pure varietal Carmenère which. Its taste might also be reminiscent of dark chocolate, tobacco, and leather. The wine is best drunk young.