CASTELLO DI MONSANTO TASTING AT WILLOWPARK WINES AND SPIRITS

Wine at the Castello Monsanto Tasting at Willow Park Wines and Spirits

An antipasti platter served with the tasting and inspired by Italy

Laura Bianchi of Castello Monsanto
 

Other nibbles at the tasting

The five wines at the tasting - all red

Bottles of Castello Monsanto

Laura Bianchi of Castello Monsanto (and Cameron Diaz look alike)

Owner of Tuscan winery Castello di Monsanto, Laura Bianchi led a group through a tasting at Willow Park Wines and Spirits. The vineyard was originally a hunting house in the 1700s where wine was made for the family.  In 1961, Bianchi's grandfather bought the property.  "My father and uncle wanted to create something special for their personal taste.  Something different than a straw basket."  The 72 acre vineyard that includes 14 houses is planted with mainly sangiovese.  

The tasting included:

Monrosso Chianti 2009 - "Entry level wine- the philosophy of the product is the same.  Perfect for antipasto, pizza, pasta. The wine spends 12 months in Slavonian (Croatia) oak cask."

Chianti Classico 2008 - "We want people to taste what has always been grown here - the same system of vinification used in the past.  Cooler vintage.  Classic acidity evident clean but not opulent.  Sangiovese is the type of grape better enjoyed with food - steak, fettuccine."

Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 - "Richer body.  The label is old, traditional, chosen by grandfather in 1962.  It is a painting from the 1800s.  This wine respects what is good in tradition - opening a classic style."

Il Poggio Chianti Classico Riserva - "This is still a baby.  Keep in cellar and beautiful aging.  This is a beautiful vintage and what makes an outstanding vintage is a fresh spring and cold winter, warm June some rain in August and then no more rain."

Nemo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - "We wanted the challenge of an international varietal.  The ego of the winemaker is strong.  Can feel the acidity and texture of the grains of tannin."

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT K&S MEDIA 2012 

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FRENCH FLING FESTIVAL AT WILLOW PARK WINES AND SPIRITS

Spring has officially sprung: beautiful pink tulips on display

The large crowd attending the event

Warm mini smoked fish quiches

A box of Chateau Rousselle

An attendant pouring Three Winds Viognier

Piper Heidseick champagne

Typical moules with fennel, onion, garlic and white wine (delicious!)

Michael Bigattini pours

Organic wine from France (Domaine Eugene Meyer riesling and gewurztraminer)

A delicious Cotes du Rhone from Ferme du Mont 'premier cote' with a typical handwritten sign
mirroring the marketplaces of France

Another beautiful display of charcuterie and cheese

Pouring Saint Veran Chateau de Fuisse

Janice Beaton and an assortment of French cheese

A crudites platter
Photography K&S Media

One of CSL's favourite wine regions was highlighted at the French Fling Festival at Willow Park Wines and Spirits on Friday March 9 2012.

With nearly 100 wines poured, the large crowd was eager to sample everything from Cotes du Rhone to champagne, Anselme Chateauneuf du pape, Antech blanquette and viognier.

To reinforce the French theme, Janice Beaton served a selection of cheeses from throughout France, moules in a white wine sauce, mini quiches, perigord duck pate, and charcuterie, added to the atmosphere of everything Francais.

Vive la France!!

www.willowparkwines.com

You may visit the Winter 2011/12 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

1) go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com
2) click on the 'front cover' image, on the left hand side of your screen
3) to flip through the e-magazine, click on the bottom right hand corner
of the magazine, just as you would our print magazine!

Follow us on twitter @CityStyleMag