The Wine Tasting Club’s December meeting was held at Ruth Warren’s apartment and was hosted by Ruth, and Pat and Murray Wood. As always it was a very enjoyable and social event with all 14 members attending.
Sicily, Italy, Doppio Passo Winery – Grillo, 2022
Of the two white wine tested, by far the favourite was Doppio Passo, Grillo with 8 of 13 members saying that they would buy it. This wine comes from the sun-drenched Island of Sicily off the toe of Italy. Grillo is a grape variety native to Sicily. The wine has an alcohol content of 12.5% and sells at the LCBO for $13.95. It was rated 91 by Carolyn Hammond, the wine reviewer for the Toronto Star.
Comments from Club members were that the wine was light, dry mild, and refreshing. The LCBO states that this juicy Sicilian beauty reveals aromas of apricot and peach complemented by sun-ripened citrus notes. Fresh, with intense fruit and light acidity, this fuller-bodied wine is well-balanced with an elegant finish. Enjoy paired with seafood, vegetables and pasta dishes.
The Canada wine guy states that it is a pale straw in color with a mild citrus nose. On the mid-palate, the wine displays lovely crisp citrus notes, albeit a bit milder … On the medium length finish, the wine display some nice crisp vibrant acidity that sticks to the tongue nicely, especially without food, nice and crisp and dry! He paired it with a quiche and it went well, but some care needs to be taken, anything too lively and you are not tasting the wine.
Argentina, Trapiche Winery – Reserve Malbec, 2022
The most preferred red wine was Trapiche, Reserve Malbec with 8 of 13 members saying that they would buy it. This wine is a product of Argentina and is made with an 80/20 blend of Malbec and Syrah grapes. It contains 13.5% alcohol and sells for $17.95. It was rated 93 by Carolyn Hammond, the wine reviewer for the Toronto Star.
The LCBO states that the wine is a deep ruby red colour; it has aromas of rich black cherry, spice and plum; the taste is that it is dry, full bodied, with ripe cherry fruit centre with flavours that are described as smoky, prune, and cloves; and it has a good length. Other reviewers state that it has a velvety texture and a sweet, long aftertaste.
Trapiche is the most important exporter of wine in Argentina. Among the oldest bodegas in the country, it benefits from a know-how now articulated around nearly 1,000 hectares of vines and more than 200 independent winegrowers. Expressive but very supple, this Malbec cuvée aged in oak barrels will beautifully highlight an oven-roasted duck breast or a beef burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. It would also go well with steaks, roast beef, beef stew, pork, sausages, rack or leg of lamb, and bison burgers with blue cheese.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 