Ettore Arturo Rizzi of Maremma’s Fattorio Le Pupille visited earlier this summer. Le Pupille refers to the historic hilltop properties in Maremma, the Tuscan region so close to the sea. Alfredo Gentili moved the family farm out of cattle, grains and olive oil and into vineyards in the 1960s and worked with oenologist Giacomo Tachis to produce one of the first Morellino de Scansano, in 1978. His daughter-in-law Elisabetta Gepetti continued the transformation, and in 1987, with Tachis, created the Bordeaux-style blend Saffredi. Le Pupille continues into the third generation with Ettore Arturo as production manager to craft high quality, legacy wines that speak to the region.
Ettore Arturo Rizzi (Le Pupille) at Crestwood Wines
We tasted three outstanding wines, starting with 2024 Le Pupille Poggio Argentato IGT this unusual (for Tuscany) white blend made from Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Traminer and Sémillon is absolutely delicious—lean, herbaceous, with hints of flinty minerality and citrus and sage. Drink with fall salads of pear and goat cheese.
2022 Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano DOCG This fragrant wine, mostly Sangiovese with 10 per cent Alicante and Cilegio) possesses zesty red fruit with attractive cherry notes, plummy depths and a lively acidity. Drink a little cool with red-sauced pastas. Drinking well now and could cellar for a few more years.
2022 Le Pupille Saffredi (IGT Toscana) is fresh, with layered flavours, sweet spice and complex flavours. The Cab Sauv, Merlot and Petit Verdot blend is a little young yet, ready to develop into the beauty that collectors love the world over. And, it comes in magnum!
Here is something new: Zyra Vodka a brand by Courtney Remekie made with 100 per cent Alberta grains. Hansen Distillery is responsible for the Zyra Gold premium vodka and The Fort Distillery makes both the Coco Mist (coconut and pineapple infused) and Root Beer Rush. We haven’t tasted them yet, but you can try them at the Bower, Public Exchange, O’Byrne’s Irish Pub and the Edmonton Convention Centre, or buy at the North Central Co-op Liquor, Great Canadian Liquor and BSW Liquor. Check them out.
Stefano Malchiodi (Mazzolino) and Cynthia Vermette (Bonvida) at Ale Architect. It takes a lot of beer to make good wine.
Enologist and agronomist Stefano Malchiodi wears many hats at Tenuta Mazzolino, a small family winery in the Oltrepò Pavese region of Lombardy. We are big fans of these lovely wines. The 2024 Mazzolino Blanc is a forthright Chardonnay, which has spent time in small French oak, creating a beautifully textured yet fresh white with lively acidity and white fruit notes. Drink with roast chicken or pumpkin ravioli. The 2024 Mazzolino Pinot Nero is a treat—savoury flavours, some lovely red fruit and white pepper notes, with silky tannins and a long earthy finish. Drink with grilled salmon, or walnut ravioli.
