The Wine Tasting club held its March 2025 monthly meeting at the home of Joan and James Rayner. The hosts are regular readers of The Wine column in the Saturday edition of the Toronto Star, written by Carolyn Evans Hammond (CEH). One particular column was titled Six Wonderful Steals under $15.00. We decided to try four of these wines on the Wine Tasting Club to see how “wonderful” these wines were.
Portugal, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Casa Santos Lima, White Blend, 2023
The first wine tasted was Casa Santos Lima White Blend from Portugal, Vinho Regional Lisboa (LCBO 19234). Description: “Swan into cocktail hour with this easy drinking white that works as well on its own, as it does made into a spritzer, or served with spicy fare.” It enjoys a delightful perfume of dried apricots and white peach, honeysuckle, and a twist of lemon. 12% alcohol 92 points.. Price: $10.65
Vote: 6 would buy it, 2 might buy it, 3 would not buy it.
France, Paul Mas, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023.
The next wine served was Vignobles Paul Mas Sauvignon Blanc, IGP, Pays d’Oc from France (LCBO 37949).For CEH, the wine smells sunlit and pure, like tree-plucked lemons and sliced grapefruit with the sliglhtest suggestion of bay leaf and thyme and is star-bright, bone dry and beautifully balanced and she gives it a rating of 95 points. It goes wonderfully with grilled fish.Price: $13.95. 12.5% alcohol.
Vote: 6 would buy it, 2 might buy it, 3 would not buy it.
Sicily, Italy, Barone Montalto, Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d’Avola blend, 2023.
The opinions about the reds were slightly different. The first tasted was Barone Montalto (Due Mondi) Cabernet Sauvignon Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT, Italy (LCBO 621151). An easy drinking red goes well with pasta and the foods of Sicily. Tastes of black currant, coffee, black olives and dried plums lead to a lush centre with hints of stone, underbrush and dried herbs.
The LCBO says that Blending Sicily’s Nero d’Avola with Cabernet Sauvignon creates a wine with Old World pedigree and New World flare. The earthy tannins of the Cabernet Sauvignon support the ripe fruit character of the Nero d’Avola. On the palate, expect notes of coffee, plum and spice. This wine will pair well with pasta in a beefy sauce.
CEH gives it 92 points. 13.5% alcohol. Price: $11.00 (Regular $12.00).
Vote: 7 would buy it, 3 might buy it, 1 would not buy it.
Puglia, Italy, Passo del Sud, Appassimento Red Blend, 2023.
Finally, we tasted another Italian red, Passo del Sud, Appassimento red blend from Puglia IGP, Italy (LCBO 520254). This type of wine is made from partially dried grapes and is a blend of 4 different red grapes, giving it a clean but complex and concentrated taste. “Tasted are dried currants, espresso, spice cake and figs”. 14% alcohol. 95 points. Price: $13.95
Vote: 7 would buy it, 4 might.
It seems that the group agreed with CEH on her choice of “steals” under $15.00. May you, too, enjoy these wines.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 