On The Coast's Master of Wines Barb Philip's job seems glorious most of the time, but this week it sounds especially lovely. CBC Radio caught up with her on the phone from Verona, Italy where she was attending the Vinitaly International Wine and Spirits Exhibition.
She says it's a very important event in the world of wine.
"There are three [trade shows] that battle for top spot," Philip says. "But I think with over 150 thousand visitors this can really be considered a crazy and huge trade show"
Philip says there's one small hall with wines from other parts of the world, but most of the focus is on Italian wines.
"What everybody is talking about is indigenous grape varieties," she explained, referring to this year's focus on traditionally important Italian grape varieties. "You hear the stories about the farmer finding one last vine of something and taking a risk to plant a whole vineyard of it."
Barb's wine picks from Italy:
Provenza Lugana Cà Maiol ‘Molin’ 2012. Lombardy. $28.00
Volpetto Chianti Riserva 2010. Tuscany $19.99
Serego Alighieri ‘Possessioni’ 2011. Veneto. $16.99
Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva ‘Ovello’ 2008 $59.95