“As my father has often said, the sick are never in short supply, but then there is only so much physick they can take before their health is recovered, and the privations and the growth of the city were both grossly overestimated. It does ill to have hopes for others’ misfortunes, but druggists must standContinue reading “RKS Literature: Passage of the Day: Thoughts of an 1856 Druggist in Toronto”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
RKS Wine: Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery’s “House of Nations”
Located in St Davids Ontario just a wee bit up from the corner of Four Mile Creek Road and York Road lies Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery. The tasting room is located in an historic building known locally as the House of Nations and officially as Woodruff House. It was originally built by David Secord inContinue reading “RKS Wine: Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery’s “House of Nations””
“Travels to a Different Time” : 3September2022: Vravrona, Greece
After 10 awful hours on an Air Canada flying basement Athens was a chance to break out of our little prison but seems COVID has played around with Greece as there were no gates available so stuck on the airplane for 30 minutes. Ordinarily we would have made a connecting flight to Samos but withContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 3September2022: Vravrona, Greece”
RKS Wine: Is Gamay on the Comeback Trail in Ontario?
Gamay was hot a decade ago in Ontario full of promise and hope but as “fads” go they can fade. Gamay seemed to fade but in the past few years it would appear to be gaining steam. Cave Spring Vineyards is well known internationally for its Rieslings that receive generous ratings in the Wine SpectatorContinue reading “RKS Wine: Is Gamay on the Comeback Trail in Ontario?”
RKS Wine: Urban Blight Hits Niagara!
You drive around the Niagara region enjoying the sights and perhaps the wineries. In early November gold blazes creating quite a spectacular sight. What is not so spectacular are the housing developments popping up in the last few years like out-of-control Baco Noir grapes. Yes there is lots of open air with orchards, vineyards andContinue reading “RKS Wine: Urban Blight Hits Niagara!”
RKS Film: “The Human Trial”: Should Private Enterprise Have the Power to Control Pain, Suffering and Life Itself?
The documentary “The Human Trial” is a five-year journey exploring the development of stem cell laden implants into human subjects suffering from Type 1 Diabetes in the anticipation they will produce insulin. Five million people a year die from complications attributable to diabetes. If it doesn’t kill you it may very well blind you orContinue reading “RKS Film: “The Human Trial”: Should Private Enterprise Have the Power to Control Pain, Suffering and Life Itself?”
RKS Wine: Niagara Red Blends: Nyarai Cellars Soars Above the Mundane
In Niagara to review an inn and some restaurants this month I managed to speak with a few people in the wine trade and it was empowering to hear they agreed with a fundamental point I have with Niagara red blends. In Niagara Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are almost best retired as incapable of makingContinue reading “RKS Wine: Niagara Red Blends: Nyarai Cellars Soars Above the Mundane”
“Travels to a Different Time” : 2September2022: Toronto to Athens: Getting There is no Longer Half the Fun!
We booked this trip from Toronto to Athens on points. I wonder if we have been penalized by Air Canada for booking on points as when checking in on-line exactly 24 hours prior to departure as permitted by Air Canada in the entire plane there are three seats available? What’s that old Greek proverb “theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 2September2022: Toronto to Athens: Getting There is no Longer Half the Fun!”
RKS Wine: Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2020 Grand Réserve
Many will say Alsace vints the best Gewurztraminer. A few years ago I may have agreed with that statement until I tried Gewurztraminer from Mayhem Wines and Meyer Family Vineyards in British Columbia’s Okanagan. The trouble is that the British Columbia wines are small batch hence reach a small audience. Pierre Sparr is a bigContinue reading “RKS Wine: Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2020 Grand Réserve”
“Travels to a Different Time” :21-28 July 2007: Thessaloniki Greece
The flight from Munich to Thessaloniki was just over two hours in length on Air Berlin. Non descript ham and cheese sandwich on Wonderbread. After so much great Bavarian meats and cheeses who would have thought the Germans could have sunk so low. Arrived in Thessaloniki in 45-degree heat. Although the Porto Palace Hotel isContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :21-28 July 2007: Thessaloniki Greece”
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