How to choose an Italian wine(NC)If selecting just the right wine for aetal, vintage and vineyard can be listed on the special occasion involves more for you than thelabel.colour, sugar content and price, it's worth? Vino da Tavola (Table Wine): a basic wine studying the label coding from region tocategory with no region, grape varietal or vin-region. On Valentine's Day, for example, ortage displayed on the label.when planning a cozy date with your sweet-Practical information is essential to create heart, the romantic wines of Italy have much tothe right atmosphere, but so are the legends teach us.that emerge from Italian life. A medieval castle, Appellations are reviewed by governmentfor example, has been home to Gabbiano wines experts and their findings are coded on the bot-since 1124. The earliest residents of Castello di tles, says Ivano Reali, managing director atGabbiano planted the vineyards, produced wine Gabbiano, a leading vintner in the Chianti Classicoand matured it in expansive cellars below.region of Tuscany. The higher the rating, theDuring the Italian Renaissance, documents more details you see on the label which is valu-show that castle owners entertained both able information before the purchase.Michelangelo and Amerigo Vespucci. Today, Next time you shop, refer to this standard-the estate covers 252 hilly acres of prime ized labelling system, courtesy of Gabbiano:Tuscan land, some of it cultivated for olives and DOCG (Appellation of Controlled andextra virgin olive oil, but most of it for vine-Guaranteed Origin): the highest quality ratingyards that produce award-winning sangiovese, with the most stringent codes and wine-pro-the predominant grape in Chianti Classico.duction criteria to meet.This year, we're pleased to say that two DOCG DOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin):appellations from our Chianti line arrive in the basic quality code approved on the basis of Canada, Reali continued. Already on shelves, its geographic origin, grape varietal, vineyardslook for popularly priced 2007 and wine making practices.Chianti Classico DOCG and by IGT (Typical Geographic Indication): anmid-June, LCBO Vintages willapproval rating often assigned to non-tradi-feature our 2005 Chianti Classicotional wines. With this designation, the vari-Riserva DOCG.FallinlovewithDowntownOakvillealloveragain...ART IN THE HEART This Weekend!Dont miss theDowntown Oakville Gallery Taste & Tour this weekend Saturday February 5th from 2- 5pm. Participating Galleries will arouse yourtaste buds while your eyes and hearts will enjoy some of the finest artexhibitions in the GTA. Participating Galleries: The Bronze Frog GalleryAbbozzo Gallery Win Henstock Gallery Native Art Gallery In2Art Gallery Towne Square Gallery Greenings Roasting Apples Touch De LAfriquewww.oakvilledowntown.comFreeParkingafter6:00pmandalldaySundaywww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, February 2, 2011 20