Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo

I have made previous comments concerning the surge of red wines from the Alentejo region of Portugal leaving the Douro somewhat behind. In the 27May2023 LCBO Vintages release catalogue of the Portuguese reds 3 are from Alentejo and 1 from the Douro. The Herdade do Sobroso is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet SauvignonContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo”

RKS Children’s Literature: “Children Who Dance in the Rain”: Materialism and Privilege Meets Spiritualism and Abject Poverty

“Children Who Dance in the Rain” is Sophie’s adventure from a cozy cocoon of materialism and privilege of the First World into the spiritualism and abject poverty of the Third World. Sophie has it mighty good as the daughter of Indian immigrants eating fancy breakfasts and playing on her tablet. She is spoiled and selfishContinue reading “RKS Children’s Literature: “Children Who Dance in the Rain”: Materialism and Privilege Meets Spiritualism and Abject Poverty”

Porthead Alert: Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny: Port Attention Deficit Syndrome

Offley is a Sogrape brand. Pre-Covid I recall going out with the Sogrape folks to the Bolsa (Old Stock Exchange) in Porto for some stellar Portuguese beef…prime rib roast I recall and we had Port with the beef. It worked perfectly and I won’t forget that match. But mention it to just about anyone inContinue reading “Porthead Alert: Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny: Port Attention Deficit Syndrome”

RKS 2023 Film: “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire”: Caught in the “Forest Fire” Conundrum

I thought it a perfect time to watch the American documentary “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” while Canadian forest fires rage in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta and Health Canada advises many Canadians to stay indoors, close windows and wear a N95 mask outdoors in face of a dangerous particulate smog. Yes I was going to watch allContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire”: Caught in the “Forest Fire” Conundrum”

RKS 2023 Wine: It Seems Portugal’s Alentejo is Coming on Strong

Is there an offensive launched by Portugal’s Alentejo region these days in Ontario? Is the Douro taking it on the chin? Alentejano reds completely outnumber whites and while they may utilize mostly indigenous grapes the Alicante Bouschet grape features predominantly in the red blends. Alicante Bouschet is a cross of Grenache and Petit Bouschet crossedContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: It Seems Portugal’s Alentejo is Coming on Strong”

RKS 2023 Film: “Americonned”

The American documentary “Americonned” is an attack on the tiered economic system of the United States which is tilted heavily in favour the rich and highlights those attempting initiatives to “even out” the disparities in that system. The Bezos, Musk, Branson romps of the obscenely rich versus the unemployed and struggling! The goal of manyContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Americonned””

RKS Literature: A Russian’s View of Politics

“He, to whom so called politics (that ridiculous sequence of pacts, conflicts, aggravations, frictions, discords, collapses and the transformation of perfectly innocent little towns into the names of international treaties) meant nothing, would sometimes immerse himself into the vast bowels of Vasilev and live for an instant actuated by his, Vasilev’s inner mechanism where nextContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Russian’s View of Politics”

RKS 2023 Wine: Primarius Oregonian Pinot Noir: Meaty and Intellectual?

I reviewed an Iranian-French film last night, titled “Subtraction” and my take was that it was meaty and intellectual as to content. Can a wine be meaty and intellectual? I have had a few wines that have had some meatiness to them often with notes of smoked meat. It is interesting that both red winesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Primarius Oregonian Pinot Noir: Meaty and Intellectual?”

RKS 2023 Wine: More Good Ontario Gamay? Di Profio 2019 Gamay Noir

Aroma: Cherry, raspberry and a bit of mocha. Simple and delightful. Palate: Modest tannins. Light and smooth with Niagara cherry, blackberry, almonds and a bit of red pepper jelly. Short finish. Personality: OK I might not be bursting with fruit on the palate but essentially I am nonchalant and easy going. Perhaps I have aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: More Good Ontario Gamay? Di Profio 2019 Gamay Noir”

RKS 2023 Film: “Subtraction”: Riders on the Storm and “Rear Window”

Watching the French-Iranian film “Subtraction” I think of Jimmy Stewart in Hitchcock’s 1954 “Rear Window”. Why? If you watch this film keep this refrain from the Door’s song “Riders on the Storm” in mind: “There’s a killer on the roadHis brain is squirmin’ like a toadTake a long holidayLet your children playIf you give thisContinue reading “RKS 2023 Film: “Subtraction”: Riders on the Storm and “Rear Window””