Opimian Society – Offering C249

Italy, Germany, Austria

Half the suppliers and almost two-thirds of the wines in Opimian’s most recent catalog are new this year! I usually post my observations (based on my taste preferences) from previous vintages or visits/tastings with suppliers as another source of buying information for Opimian members. With all these new selections, my comments will be oriented more towards my experience with interesting varietals and styles, rather past experience.

My only previous purchase of a wine from Cinciano was their absolutely fabulous Vin Santo, although I have sipped on their wines at various Opimian events. They are a quality producer and I have my eye on #9111 Cinciano Bianco.

Although The Wine People are new this year, they were offered in C247 and I ordered a couple of cases from them. #9115 Dea Del Mare Prosecco caught my attention on this offering.

Opimian has been dealing with Avenue for as long as I can remember, and I had the pleasure of visiting their premises in Alto Adige in 2010. Besides offering their own wines, they act as a distributor to Opimian for small wineries from all over Italy. I am always looking for something a little unusual and #9120 Truffle Hunter, Arneis and #9130 Montelocco, Lambrusco certainly fit that bill. I am a huge fan of the Sagrantino grape, so #9132 Montefalco Rosso is a likely buy for me. Montepulciano is also a favourite (although I prefer DOC Rosso Piceno or DOCG Offida styles) and from the three offered the #9135 Piane de Maggio will likely be my choice. I have had an earlier vintage of #9137 Colleantico Campania Falanghina and it was a wonderful new varietal for me.

La Vigne di Sammarco is another long time Italian supplier and provided my first taste of Primitivo and Negroamaro wines. I would recommend any of #9147 Primitivo, #9148 Salice Salentino, #9149 Primitivo di Manduria, and #9150 Solemnis which I have purchased or sampled previously.

Minutolo is a “rescued” variety and I have purchased every other such rescue wine ever offered by Opimian! #9159 Rampone Minutolo from Winetraders will be on my list.

It’s great to see that Opimian has expanded its offering of German wines, and I know several local members who will be particularly happy with two new producers Stepp and Weingut Pflüger! All of the whites sound lovely (I still need work on German reds), but the #9164 Stepp Beerenauslese looks like a bargain!

I have never been disappointed by a Höpler wine! #9172 Gruner Veltliner is a regular purchase, and their #9175 Riesling is my standard for the variety, especially if I want to show how a little aging brings out the terpene aromatics in the grape. I have previously enjoyed #9173 Pinot Blanc, #9174 Chardonnay, and #9176 Rosé Célestia. The sweet wines of Höpler are an incredible experience, and even with the high price I would recommend the #9178 Eiswein.

The Opimian Society is “Canada’s wine club” and offers some 500 wines to 15,000 members across the country each year. All wines are selected by Master of Wine, Jane Masters, and sourced from suppliers from all the major wine regions of the world. Wines are ordered and delivered to members via the liquor boards or equivalent in each provincial and territorial jurisdiction (except Nunavut). Disclosure: I am member of the board of directors of the Opimian Society and former area representative.