Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2023 Film: “What Ever Happened to Jonny Faith”

I am uncertain what genre this 24.5-minute film should be slotted in. Most likely cornball. But if the genre is right there is overly cheesy cornball and there is fun cornball. This film is loads of fun with a mighty satirical streak running through it. Jonny Faith (Frank Noon) was a massively popular 1980’s countryContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “What Ever Happened to Jonny Faith””

RKS Literature: The World Through the Eyes of a Child

“For it is good to have seen something of the world with childish eyes, disinterestedly and uncritically, observing not what is useful or beautiful and interesting, but only such things as, to a being less than four feet high and having no knowledge of life or art, seem immediately significant. It is the beggars, itContinue reading “RKS Literature: The World Through the Eyes of a Child”

RKS Literature: Affection and Humour

“Affections are not impaired by being tempered with a touch of benevolent laughter. Indeed, I would almost be prepared to risk a generalization and say that all true affections are tempered with laughter. For affection implies intimacy: and one cannot be intimate with another human being without discovering something to laugh at in his orContinue reading “RKS Literature: Affection and Humour”

RKS 2023 Wine: Mayhem 2022 Pinot Gris to the Rescue?

There is an abundance of very sad Pinot Grigio out in wine world. One big seller that has me puzzled is Santa Margherita from Italy. I find it made from overcropped grapes imparting a diffuse and insipid character. It flies off the shelf in Canada. It has frightened me “off” Pinot Grigio. Will the MayhemContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Mayhem 2022 Pinot Gris to the Rescue?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Happily Riding the Great Compromise and Beyond: Meyer Family Vineyards Okanagan Valley 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé

Isn’t rosé the great compromise? It should make both white and red wine aficionados raise a pink truce flag. But it goes beyond compromise as it may be a bit of both worlds but stands on its own suitable to many moods and many dishes that white and red do and do not not suit.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Happily Riding the Great Compromise and Beyond: Meyer Family Vineyards Okanagan Valley 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé”

RKS Literature: A Desperation for Acquaintances

“And then there was his sociability. It was a passion, a vice; he could not live without the company of his fellow beings. It was agony for him to be alone. He hunted company ferociously, as wild beasts pursue their prey. But the odd thing was that he never seemed to crave for friendship orContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Desperation for Acquaintances”

RKS Literature: Once Out of The Womb

“Out of the womb, we’re in an unfriendly world, in which our wishes aren’t anticipated, where we’re no longer magically omnipotent, where we don’t fit, where we’re not snugly at home. What’s to be done in this world? Either face out the reality, fight with it, resignedly or heroically accept to suffer or struggle. OrContinue reading “RKS Literature: Once Out of The Womb”

RKS 2023 Wine: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir

Should we get our hands grubby and talk about the price of a bottle of wine and quality? Why not setting forth the golden rule that the quality of a wine is not always reflected in its price! I am sure many of us have examples to share. But pardon my grubbiness when I talkContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir”

RKS 2023 Wine: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay from British Columbia

Meyer Family Vineyards released a knockout 2022 Gewürztraminer recently. I think most wine drinkers recognize MFV for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays so let us try their “entry level” 2022 Okanagan Valley Chardonnay 80% of which was aged in stainless steel and 20% in neutral French oak barrels for 6 months. Due to that highContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Meyer Family Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay from British Columbia”

RKS 2023 Wine: Mayhem 2021 Cabernet Merlot

The Okanagan in British Columbia can produce top notch red wines including Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Given that solid reputation is it then simply a question whether Mayhem winemaker Ajay Chavan has the skills to produce this blend that will invoke the wow factor? I should add the wine was in my passive cellar atContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Mayhem 2021 Cabernet Merlot”