The August 1, 2024 meeting of the Wine Tasting Club was held at Elva Edgar’s home with 12 Club members attending. The wines served were one Rose, one white, and two reds. The two favourites are featured below.
Italy, Ruffino Lumina, Pinot Grigio, 2023.
The white Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio is a wine from the Atesino delle Venezie region of Italy. For more than 140 years, Ruffino has been making quality wines for consumers to enjoy. Their rich history is in everything they produce.
The LCBO states that this wine features pronounced aromas of fresh cut lemon, gooseberry and a touch of herbs. Vibrant and fresh on the palate with mineral notes on a clean finish. Vivino states that this wine offers golden apple, honeyed pear, and citrus notes, along with a pleasant touch of minerality. Medium-bodied, lively and clean, this is a well-balanced wine with crisp acidity and a satisfying finish. Comments from the group was that it was light, fresh and crisp tasting.
It is suggested serving it with seared scallops with a lemon butter sauce, and mild cheeses. Other ideas are to enjoy it with an Apertif, Mushrooms, a Vegetarian meal, or Shellfish.
This wine is from 2023 and has a 12% alcohol content and is $15.80 a bottle. 11 out of 12 people attending voted to buy this wine, with one who said that she might buy it.
Australia, Mcguigan winery, Black Label, Shiraz, 2021
This Mcguigan Black Label Shiraz is a red wine from New South Wales in Australia. The fruit for this wine is sourced from vineyards in Riverland, Murray Darling and Gundagai regions. The climate is hot with high evaporation rates and generally low rainfall, making irrigation essential.
The LCBO states the wine’s flavour is Floral, Red Fruit, and Herbal. It is a black cherry red colour with lifted aromas of red berry and fruit, touches of mint, toast and blood orange. The wine is dry, medium bodied, rich and rounded with ripe red berry and fruit, hints of herbs and a soft pleasant finish. The wine maker states that this wine is a flavoursome shiraz with notes of upfront fresh ripe berries and hints of black pepper and spice. The well integrated soft tannins allow for a good palate length.
Suggested serving include grilled meats, roasts and stews, especially beef. Other choices include Italian food especially tomato-based dishes, as well as Pizza, antipasto, and pasta.
The wine is from 2021 and has a 12.5% alcohol content. It is $11.95 a bottle. 10 out of 12 members voted to buy this wine, 1 might buy it, and 1 would not.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 