By Linda Hasler
This month we met at Linda Hasler’s condo party room where fourteen of our club members sampled two white and two red wines. We would like to share out findings on two vintages, one white and one red, that were overwhelming winners. Not only were they pleasing to the palate, they were easy on the pocketbook. We hope you find these findings of interest to you and your friends.
Italy, Veneto, Terre Abruzzo, Latte Miele, 2023
Latte Miele (meaning “Milk and Honey” is made with Pecorino, a native grape from the Marche and Abruzzo regions where sheet farming is prevalent, in fact “pecora” is the Italian word for sheep. This grape was nearly extinct and is now being revived. Deemed the next Great Italian Wine by Forbes Magazine, pecorino is much more complex than a crisp Pino Grigio or slately Sauvignon Blanc with greater character.
This wine was described as light, crisp, and dry by the Wine Tasters. It was rated as follows: 12 club members said that they would buy it; one would not. Ir was given 95 points out of 100 by Chuck Byers.
The LCBO descibes it as yellow with green reflections, Bouquet is immediate with intense impressions of white and exotic fruit. Floral and fruity notes are well balanced on the palate with good acidity and long persistent finish. Enjoy with vegetables, fish and white meat dishes.
The cost is $14.00; Alcohol 13%; Sugal 4g/l.
Argentina, Mendoza, Luigi Bosca Wines, La Linda, 2023
The LCBO website states that La Linda’s Malbec grapes are sourced from Argentine’s high-altitude vineyards. This medium plus bodied red has aromas of blackberry jam and smoke, flavours of prune and dark chocolate and a silky-smooth finish. Partner with a freshly grilled steak, Mexican mole dishes or lamb rogan josh.
La Linda Malbec is described in their website as having a bold taste with elegant austerity on the palate. It is a bright purplish-red red wine, with very expressive aromas reminiscent of red fruits such as cherry and spicy notes. Its palate is frank and fluid, with incipient tannins. It is a wine with an intense and pleasant taste, juicy, fresh and of good volume, with a very pleasing finish, with everything that a young Malbec can offer.
The Wine Tasters ratings were that 12 club members would buy it; one would not. It received good reviews on the LCBO website.
The cost is $14.00; Alcohol 13.5%; Sugar 13.5%.
Probus Club of Kingsway-Islington 