This week is the Vancouver International Wine Festival, featuring many of the best wineries of theme country Italy. I was lucky to sit down with Gabriele Tacconi, who is the chief winemaker of historic Ruffino.

We had a chat in the tasting ballroom, looking over the vista of the North Shore mountains and ocean, to discuss (over some delicious sips): his work as the third winemaker at Ruffino since 1877, Pinot Grigio, Chianti, the new Gran Selezione category, native grapes in Chianti, and Supertuscans, plus recent vintages in Tuscany, and what foods to pair with his wines.

Ruffino wines tasted in the podcast:

• Lumina Pinot Grigio IGT 2014
• Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012
• Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2010
• Modus Toscana IGT 2012

Cheers,

Rachel