Salute is the new name and format of Sante, the annual wine festival of Toronto. It is now locally more diversified, and offers opportunities to taste various lower priced, but still very attractive wines. During the tasting (open to the public) arranged at 315 King Street east, the following wines pleased my palate:

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Chakana, Argentina
Dark red, brilliant, smells of ripe stone fruits, is full-bodied, balanced and with a long finish. Will benefit from two to three years of cellaring.
91/100
Available at Vintages.

Malbec Reserva, 2006, Chakana
Brilliant red colour, dried plum and stone fruit aromas, exotic spices, with hints of violet and chocolate make this wine eminently suitable for BBQ meat, or hard cheeses.
$ 17.95 Vintages

Alto Sur Malbec Reserva, 2008, Finca Sophenia
Attractive red with violet hues. Aromas of cherries, blue- and blackberries, and plums waft out of the glass. In the mouth, ripe tannins are evident. It has good intensity and flavour concentration with a long aftertaste.
90/100

Malbec Ultra, 2007, Kaiken
A superb, powerful, red wine, suitable for BBQ meat, game stews, hard cheeses.
91/100

Alto Sur and Kaiken wines are represented by Ontario@whitehall.ca

Pinot Noir, 2007, Closson Chase, Prince Edward County

Elegant, ‘juicy”, smells of raspberries and exudes refinement.
Available at the winery only
91/100

Syrah, 2006, Casa Marina, Chile
Excellent fruit, power, full-bodied, and with ample extract. Superb with flavourful meat dishes or roasted beef.
93/100
Private import by Ontario agent.

Guest Writer – Hrayr Berberoglu E-mail or interested in his books?.