LEAGH BARKLEY
Wine Director Il Caminetto, 604-932-4442 ilcaminetto.ca
Our wine selection at Il Caminetto complements the unique menu inspired by the restaurant’s Italian heritage, focusing primarily on Italian wines with a selection of vintages from each of Italy’s regions. Our selection also shines the spotlight on the West Coast, with a wide range of local wines from outstanding vintners.
My favourite fortified wines from our cellar are sourced near and far. Locally, I often recommend D’oro by Vista D’Oro, 2008, from my hometown of Langley, B.C. This walnut-infused fortified wine brilliantly resembles a Fine Tawny Port with 10 years of barrel aging. From Italy, we serve Vecchio Florio Marsala Superiore Dolce, which is a great pairing with desserts like Chef James Walt’s tiramisu. And for the true port aficionado, we offer Taylor Fladgate’s Very Old Single Harvest 1969 vintage by the glass. The deep copper and amber hues in this wine show its age, while the brightness in the reflections shows the freshness and vibrancy still present. As the wine enters the mouth, the sweetness awakens and envelops the palate. A wave of complex tertiary flavours, reminiscent of spices such as Jamaican pepper, Sri Lankan cinnamon, candied ginger and dark cocoa, as well as fruit flavours like ripe cherries and plums, wash over the tongue. Appreciate it on its own or pair with our chocolate crémeux and Marsala-poached pear dessert. Visit taylor.pt.