deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Fattoria Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano (Maremma, Italy) – $23.99, regularly $28.99.

Fattoria Le Pupille was a farm belonging to the Gentili family of Pisa. Initially, it was an estate full of cattle, large wheat fields and a small oil production. In the 60s, it was decided to plant a couple of hectares of vineyards to drink wine with the family and give it to the closest friends. At that time the dignity of the Maremma as a territory with great winemaking potential was not recognized and Morellino di Scansano was a simple and pleasant local wine, intended for daily consumption, but certainly not aspiring to deal with the big Italian appellations.

In 1985, a 20-year-old Elisabetta Geppetti didn’t just inherit a Tuscan estate – she turned it into a leading Tuscan estate, and a global ambassador for Morellino di Scansano while crafting a Super Tuscan legend known as Saffredi. Nestled in Maremma, between rolling hills and the shimmer of the Tyrrhenian Sea, this estate boasts 85 organically farmed hectares that dance between altitude and sea breeze. Her mentor was the late great Giacomo Tachis, the father of Supertuscans Sassicaia, Solaia and Tignanello. Elisabetta’s daughter Clara now brings a new-gen edge to the family affair, while son Ettore crafts the wines with both intuition and technical precision.

Our special this week is their standard bearer Morellino di Scansano. Morellino di Scansano DOCG is an Italian red wine made in the hilly environs of the village of Scansano in the Maremma region of coastal Tuscany. Morellino is the local name for the Sangiovese grape. The wine, which was granted DOC status in 1978, then upgraded to DOCG status beginning with the 2007 vintage, is made from at least 85% Sangiovese, which is also the basis of the Tuscan wines Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

This is just a great quality everyday red. It offers succulent, bright, creamy red fruits, a silky core of dark red purple berry fruits, lavender, rose petal spice and a touch of menthol. Balanced yet doesn’t scream for attention – enjoy with tomato-based pasta dishes.

Fattoria Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano (Maremma, Italy) – $23.99, regularly $28.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Kaiken Indomito Cabernet Franc (Mendoza, Argentina) – $18.99, regularly $23.99.

Argentina’s Kaiken Winery has been a leader in the heart of Lujan de Cuyo’s Vistalba region, but also with vineyards extending from Cafayate to Patagonia. This district in Luján de Cuyo sits at the base of the Andes, forty kilometers south of the city of Mendoza. The altitude of this vineyard ensures a wide temperature range good for maturing grapes. The high altitude (up to 1250 feet) has something to do with the quality and consistency of their lineup, always capturing the spirit of the land.

Our weekly special this week is their Indomito Cabernet Franc, 20% aged in barrels for ten months and the rest in tanks. Intense red color with violet highlights. Notes of fresh red fruits such as raspberry and red currant emerge while blending with herbal hints of green pepper, floral spices, and a touch of menthol. On the palate, it is a medium full Cabernet Franc, with soft and ripe tannins. A well-balanced natural acidity and good structure. It has a long and persistent finish with a pleasant, fresh, elegant sensation.

Indómito is born with the intention of creating a free-spirited, relaxed line focused on satisfying new consumption occasions. It is aimed at consumers who enjoy the ritual of opening a bottle in search of new experiences. Pair with a grilled red meats.

Prost!

Kaiken Indomito Cabernet Franc (Mendoza, Argentina) – $18.99, regularly $23.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Hard to believe we’re talking Christmas already, but here we are in early April March offering once again the Canella Family Sparkling Advent Calender – $204.99 from Empson Canada for Christmas 2026 season now. Purchase yours now (it is due to arrive in November) to ensure you have it for the Xmas season. Deadline for pre-sell is midnight, Sunday, April 26, 2026.

The Canella winery was founded in 1947 after World War II by Luciano Canella. His parents owned a small, family-style restaurant in San Donà di Piave in Venice. Having to survive the difficult wartime after his Dad’s passing, Luciano began to search the surrounding areas for the best wines to match his mother’s cuisine when he thought about creating his own wine. He put this idea into action and set up a state-of-the-art winery specializing in Prosecco.

Since then, the Canellas have become Prosecco pioneers and through hard work, the brand and family of Canella demonstrate what can be achieved in the Conegliano appellation and have become almost synonymous with Prosecco itself.

This festive Advent Calendar collection on pre-sale contains 24 bottles of 200ml sparkling wines from the Canella family including their five different Proseccos and their families premium Brut Rosé. All will be laid out at random within the box with a pop open tab for each day leading up to Christmas. Cases are shipped in a plain protective outer carton.

Note: Due to high warehousing costs, there will be no extra cases for Christmas as the agent is only bringing in what is pre-sold.

2026 Canella Sparkling Advent Calendar (Veneto, Italy) – $204.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Villa des Anges Unoaked Chardonnay (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $16.99, regularly $19.99.

Situated on the ruins of an ancient Roman villa in the Pays d’Oc appellation, the Villa des Anges domaine is owned by Jaqueline Menard de Ginestous and in her prominent winegrowing family’s hands since the 18th century. Home to a Mediterranean climate, the vineyards grow in ancient alluvial and clay/limestone soils. Villa des Anges wines are made by celebrated winemaker Jeff Carrel.

The feature this week is their Unoaked Chardonnay resplendent with baked yellow apples, Bartlett pear, pineapple, lemon and creme fraiche. Grown on clay-limestone soil, malolactic fermentation on fine lees and aged in tanks for additional spicy complexity. Balanced and easy to enjoy – this is for those who like Chablis on a budget. Enjoy with white meats, soft cheeses or as an aperitif.

Villa des Anges Unoaked Chardonnay (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $16.99 , regularly $19.99.

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