Our wine tasting club met on December 4th to celebrate the coming season and share our “new” wine discoveries. These are a few of our recommendations. We hope that you enjoy them.
With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and brighter days ahead. To your good health….
Tim Sulisz – Circle of Life – South Africa
The wine that I selected for the meeting of the Wine Tasting Club was called “Circle of Life” from Waterkloof Wines in the Stellenbosch Region of South Africa. This wine has been recently added to the Vintages section of the LCBO (Vintages # 284588). It is a blended wine consisting of 67% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Chenin Blanc, and 4% Semilion with an alcohol content of 13.5%. It is described as an organic wine, produced by “a living, breathing organic and biodynamic vineyard”.
The reason why I tried it is that I have been impressed with the value offered by South African wines and this one was highly rated. It was produced in 2016 and sells for $19.95.
I found it to have a crisp clear taste that goes well with Salmon or other seafood, or the St. Mary’s crackers and cheese that I had at the Wine Tasting Club. The LCBO website describes it as “the best release yet of this wild-fermented cuvée of mostly Sauvignon Blanc with 29% Chenin Blanc and a splash of Chardonnay. Aged in older oak, it’s grapefruity and tangy with citrus and apple fruit and subtle, stony reduction.” Other reviewers have described it as “a white wine blend with tropical fruit, melon, fine herb, fennel, lemon zest flavours, harmonious on the palate with a stony mineral finish. Pair with roast chicken”.
The wine was rated as 95 from Tim Atkin, Master of Wine, South Africa, Special Report 2019.
Diane Fulcher – Bourgogne Aligote – French Burgundy
I enjoyed this French Burgundy. It has a pale straw colour, lifted aromas as nuts, cantaloupe, vanilla and Anjou pear; extra dry, medium bodied with acidity on finish.
Price is $17.95 at LCBO and it has 12.5 % alcohol.
Diane Fulcher – Riesling-Pinot Grigio – Inniskillin
This white wine by Inniskillin Winery is a blend of Riesling-Pinot Grigio. Pale straw in colour, it features peach and citrus aromas. It is dry, light-medium bodied with citrus fruit and nut flavours; crisp clean finish. This wine would be a particularly good summer drink.
The 750 mL bottle has alcohol / Vol: 12.0 %. This is a VQA wine. Price: $14.95
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 