RKS 2023 Wine: Stag’s Hollow 2021 Dolcetto: The Little Sweet One?

Dolcetto from Italy’s Piedmont region is an easy drinking low acid wine well suited to every night fare which sure as heck beats our Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s description of certain wines as a “Friday night wine” which is code for a stinker! What has Stag’s Hollow done in the Okanagan to this sweet one? Dolce in Italian means sweet. One must remark that Stag’s Hollow is brave enough to grow Teroldego so why not Dolcetto?

Aged in both concrete and older French oak.

Aroma: Black cherry, gooseberry, red currant with a twist of dark chocolate. I am not picking up hints of sweetness.

Palate: Bluntly put lip smacking delicious. A beefy experience for the palate indeed signifying there is nothing “little” on the palate. There is some initial tartness but at the core of this wine there dwells chocolate covered cherry intermingled with sour cherry and a suitable titch of bitterness. The acidity is fine and perhaps for a finely trained palate a need to consume the wine with food. Isn’t that true for almost all Italian wine?

Personality: I am non-pretentious and humble and I am glad I have been transplanted to the Okanagan by a Braveheart winery willing to risk producing a wine with a grape not known far and wide.

Food Match: The wine is extremely versatile and popular with an antipasto misto. Given its fine acidity and the onslaught of fresh field tomatoes in many parts of Canada now I would go with a tomato salad or a Greek potato and tomato salad with anchovies and fresh basil. The potatoes must be served warm and with EVO oil. Of course, for your Thanksgiving turkey this wine and Stag’s Hollow 2020 Teroldego would be boffo. By the way the winery is hosting its annual Harvest Dinner on September 13th in partnership with Chef Ben Godin the whiz kid chef at the nearby Wild Goose Bistro. As luck would have it my corporate jet is undergoing its overhaul at that time and I will have to miss this event and a valiant attempt on my part to put my wine tourism writing skills to work will not occur. Geez I have always wanted to skinny dip at midnight under the Okanagan Falls!

Cellarbility: Drink by the end of 2024.  

Price: As the wine is not yet released I have no confirmed price but the 2020 was $26 (CDN). You will most likely have to contact the winery about availability but due to limited case production if you are outside of British Columbia best order through their website.

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 91/100.

(Stag’s Hollow 2021 Dolcetto Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia VQA, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, 750 mL, 12.5 %).

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: No More Black and White Squirrels!

West Highland Terriers are not hunting dogs but perhaps more a term I hate “ratters” or “earth dogs”. Our speciality are rodents. We are fierce diggers and burrowing in a hole will not save a rodent we are on the trail of.

Here in Toronto there were rodents and yes I have seen rats and mice. Squirrels and rabbits too. There were a few squirrels which I swear were taunting me. They would sit on the fence and watch me as I barked at them. I could swear they were laughing at me. I once had a squirrel at my mercy but Master Robert ordered me to back off. The quarry was sick. Not fair game! Rabbits were too darn fast. No chance.

Then a close call. It was 07:00 and Master Robert let me out for a pee and there was a black and white squirrel. Attack! Right on target for a kill until Master Robert rushed out and roared , “NO!” so I veered off half way on my attack route and what an awful smell. Poor Master Robert had to bathe me in my medicated shampoo. He explained that squirrel was a skunk. I was only slightly dinged thank goodness. Yes Westies like humans are always learning life lessons.

RKS Poetry: “Just the Death of a Dog”

Just the Death of a Dog?

Just a dog you say?
Just a dog

15 years by your side
Morning, afternoon and evening walks

The click clack of nails on the floor rushing to greet you
The bark at the door “protecting” you from threats

Warm greetings with wagging tail and kisses upon your return home

An eternal friend and protector no matter what direction the wind blows

Cuddles under the sheets as the winter wind howls outside
An alarmed rescue of you from a loud sneeze

Gratitude and nuzzling
Sensing your pain
Unfailing loyalty and
Memories, memories and memories
Your morning chunk of bagel a ritual
Chopping of carrots you are ready for a chunk
Stupid and insipid memories you say

A last kiss on your now cold head
a cruel memory
15 years gone by a needle

I howl in the Land Beyond because I am no longer there to comfort you

Just a dog you say?

Robert K. Stephen

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Ham Bone Incident

Wasn’t it Mama Cass that died in the bathtub after choking to death on a ham sandwich? Geez, what a way to go!

Well I was close to a year old when I had a Mama Cass incident. Master Robert had two poodles in the past, Suzy and Ginny, who are now my best friends in The Land Beyond. Master Robert had given Suzy and Ginny bones to gnaw on. But you had to be very careful as to what type of bone you gave a dog as a bone splinter can kill a dog. For example poultry bones are a definite no no for dogs as they splinter easily. Ginny and Suzy never had a “bone incident”.

Master Robert gave me a big ham bone and sent me to the backyard to have a tasty chew. Well unfortunately never having any bone gnawing experience or Puppy School education on the topic I stupidly swallowed the entire bone and started choking. Poor me and poor Master Robert who picked me up and put me in the car and we roared the emergency veterinary clinic. Master Robert kept saying very bad human words about himself punctuated frequently by “stupid idiot”.

The emergency vets were incredulous about how a 14-pound West Highland Terrier could have swallowed such an enormous bone. In fact when I was “out of the woods” they called me “Little Python”. Why do I have so many nicknames? But after a huge vet bill both Master Robert and I headed home in an exhausted state. I don’t really appreciate tight hugs but I let Master Robert sneak in a few ones with numerous apologies on his part. That’s the last bone I ever had. Solid meat chunks from then on.

I talked to Suzy and Ginny about that and they were most surprised. Suzy did admit, and Master Robert had told me about it, that Suzy was the most kind and loving dog but approach her while she was gnawing on a bone look out. And never try and take away a bone from her. Don’t you humans have an expression, “Don’t mess with a dog and his bone!”.

Suzy also related told me a story of her early suburban years in Pointe Claire, Montreal. She’d be let out to wander the neighbourhood and upset a few garbage cans looking for food. Dr. Simpson across the street often had his garbage can raided by Suzy. Goodness knows what bones she enjoyed! Please humans remember as young dogs we can be a bit rambunctious!

Oh and then that time out around the block with Master Robert whilst sniffing in the leaves I gobbled up some bone and started choking. Well Puppy School training came in handy as I was trained to let a human hand go in my mouth so I was not surprised when Master Robert dislodged that bone by putting his hand in my mouth.

RKS 2023 Wine: Teroldego an Italian Grape Refugee Adopted by Stag’s Hollow in the Okanagan of British Columbia

Even in its home country of Italy this north-eastern Italian grape is not exactly huge. But almost like a grape refugee Stag’s Hollow Winery in Okanagan Falls, British Columbia has given it safe haven where it can and does flourish. A gutsy move wouldn’t you say? The late Jim Clendenen (1953-2021) of Au Bon Climat Winery in California once said that California should have planted Teroldego instead of Merlot. Did Paul Giamatti have it right in the film “Sideways” when he said to his pal Thomas Hayden Church he’s not drinking any fucking Merlot!

The late Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat Winery in California

What about the 2020 Teroldego from Stag’s Hollow Winery in British Columbia’s Okanagan Falls? It was made from grapes grown at the Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard.

Aroma: Jam packed with black fruit particularly blackberry. Stag’s Hollow can always be counted on to make stellar if not stunning full bodied red wines. Just a hint of lavender.

Palate: Black fruit raises a victory flag in the palate with a nod to the mighty blueberry. The tannins are calm. The acidity discrete. The length is moderate. It reminds me of some Azorean red wine from Pico Island made from the Isabella grape due to its smoothness.

Personality: I am a bit schizophrenic in that I have a very unique and unusual character melding the power of my fruit to both elegance of a vitis vinifera and utilitarianism of a vitis labrusca.

Food Match: While a great sipping wine this would be a killer with an Azorean fish stew. Or as Thanksgiving will be upon us soon in Canada with roast turkey with cranberry sauce. The winery suggests classic Italian pasta dishes featuring rich tomato sauces or Middle Eastern spiced grilled meats and vegetables. I’d agree with that!

Azorean Fish Stew on Pico Island or how I came to love Conger eel! Photo Robert K. Stephen

Cellarbility: This wine is drinking beautifully now and consume by the end 2025.

Price: $35 (British Columbia). Available for sale on Stag’s Hollow website, at the winery and in various stores and restaurants in British Columbia. Only 96 cases produced!

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100.

The grapes were destemmed prior to the crush thereby reducing the tannic impact of the wine. Fermentation was in both oak (one 2nd fill and one neutral barrel) and stainless steel.

(Stag’s Hollow 2020 Teroldego, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia VQA, Stag’s Hollow Winery, Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, 750 mL, 12.5%).

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: The Follies of Puppy School!

As a West Highland Terrier I do have some formal education. Puppy School!  I have diplomas from Pup Eez Dog Training. I have a beginners AND a intermediate certificate! According to my certificate I demonstrated “an outstanding level of performance, intelligence and willing companionship”. Way to go West Highland Terriers!

I am uncertain why I was enrolled. I learnt hand signals to stop, lie down and come and seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time walking in circles guided by Master Robert. Of course it was more fun sniffing and kibitzing with my fellow classmates. I think it was a technique to have me obey the commands of The Stephen Family. If that was the case I already understood at an early age Master Robert was the “leader of the pack” and instinctually I was to follow his commands….well at least most of the time as we Westies can be a bit independent and stubborn! In any case it was good to get out and meet all sorts of dogs including Hazel a neighbourhood poodle who I loved having playfights with as a youngster. Hazel only made to 7 years of age succumbing to cancer but yes we continue our playfights here in The Land Beyond.

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: Walking Such a Great Joy!

I am running with a pack of West Highland Terriers in The Land Beyond. We chase mechanical rats and a whole host of rodents up big hills, in gullies and forests. Mechanical as no creature here can be hurt. We usually run after our breakfast. It takes my mind off what I left behind before I died.

A puppy named Angus was run over by a car and not having much life experience asked me why I loved my walks so much. The whole gang here knows how much I loved to walk. In fact while I had at least twenty nicknames in The Land Beyond” my nickname is “The Walker”. The poor pup asked me why I loved walking. It isn’t that easy. Perhaps it is instinctual? It is part of a Westie soul?

Now on the practical level it is exercise and good for our health. Our “bodily excretions” act as messages to other dogs that we have “been here”. Again I think it is instinctual. And yes we do the same thing here in The Land Beyond.

I loved walking in our neighbourhood as it was my community of brothers and sisters. Not that all was in harmony. I hated that Golden Lab Tanner and he hated me. He smelt aggressive and mean.

But my all-time favourite was the Don Valley Golf Course in Toronto of course when it was closed to golfers. I loved walking in a snowstorm and in the late fall and spring. There were dogs but only a handful. There were ducks, turtles, foxes, deer, snakes, falcons and coyotes (stay away!). And off went my leash. FREEDOM!

I also loved the Belt Line Trail in Toronto. A beautiful shaded trail in the heart of Toronto. The crazy law-breaking cyclists really aggravated all us dogs. Lucky I was not run over by those crazy speedsters. Again it was an all season walk unless it became too icy in the winter.

Sherwood Park in Toronto was also a favourite of mine and I loved the off-leash trail in the forest with ups and downs and nice benches to relax. Three months prior to my death it was the site of my last long walk.

The Stephen Family will be spreading my ashes in these three favourite haunts of mine.

I dearly loved Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake. The roar of the Falls and the mist on my face was unforgettable.

Master Robert was adamant about ensuring frequent walks which I was always up to except in those “last days”. As he used to say, “A tired dog is a happy dog!”. No truer words were spoken!

RKS 2023 Wine: More To Mendoza Than Malbec: A Kimmy K Wine?

Poor Argentina pigeonholed with being a Malbec producer. As far as reds go there is also Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that is top quality. And yes there is Chardonnay in a world mad for Chardonnay. To extend our learning curve we try a 2021 Catena Chardonnay from Mendoza.

A blend of Chardonnay from 4 vineyards all above 3,000 feet. Whole cluster pressed. Fermented in barrels and stainless steel. Eight months ageing in French oak with first, second and third use barrels used.

Aroma: Apple, pear, cantaloupe, peach, tangerine and wet stone.

Palate: Wet slate, apricot, guava, soft mango with a bit of ginger all perhaps a bit reticent on the palate. Short finish.

Cellarbility: Drink in 2023.

Personality: Like Kimmy Kardashian I have the Catena name and reputation behind me but in terms of complexity and depth I might be a bit lacking.

Food Match: Grilled chicken or rabbit in foil with yogurt and tarragon.

Price: $22.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 85/100. Jamessuckling.com 92.

(Catena High Mountain Vines 2021 Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina, Bodega y Viñedos Catena, Mendoza Argentina, 750 mL, 13.5%)

Memories of Dylan Stephen: A Westie Now in the Land Beyond: My Exciting Trip to Niagara Falls!

Master Robert and Mistress Fotini have told stories of their meeting of West Highland Terriers in the United States, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece and a couple other of destinations but they have never seen Westies in transit at airports. I enjoyed hearing these stories of meeting West Highland Terriers but I am a homebody. I hate car trips but I love hopping in a car when I know I am going on a walk to a park or my absolute favourite place Don Valley Golf Course in Toronto when it closed to golfers. I think a plane trip would cause me a nervous breakdown. I was between 20-22 pounds so under the seat rules for dogs in airplanes was 20 pounds so Master Robert and Mistress Fotini were reluctant to chance me being moved to cargo. I have no regrets except I had heard so many fantastic things about Central Park in New York I would have liked to have had a few walks there. Do they grow strawberries there in Strawberry Field?

I did take trips to the outskirts of Toronto and I loved going to a farm on Weston Road. There were free range chickens running around in a big pen and I loved having a good bark or two but that’s all as the poor chickens really don’t need any stress! I loved walking on the Toronto Islands all the way from Hanlon’s to Ward stopping for a picnic and a nap. I thought Kensington Market was cool with all those strange smells and people. That punk bar was weird and those people with strange haircuts and tattoos and all sorts of body piercings! Interesting to say the least!

But near the end of my life I had a couple trips to Niagara-on-the-Lake. We stayed at the Oban Inn and also Harbour House where a nice bed, fancy bowls and treats awaited me. I even ate at a restaurant The Treadwell lying under a patio table and Master Robert gave me a big piece of chicken and some sweet potato fries. I love sweet potatoes with a passion. I was a bit nervous being left in a hotel room a couple of times but I was a good Westie and Master Robert had said to me absolutely no barking!

I saw the Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Falls, the Botanical Gardens, an historical fort, watched a Canada Day Parade and had walks along the Niagara River. In my last trip there Master Robert and Mistress Fotini took a fancy dog stroller for me when I got a bit too tired to walk. It was like I was a movie star. Tourists from all over the globe come to say hello! Master Robert said a group of Chinese tourists wanted to take me back to China with them! The trip of a lifetime for me except of course my trip from earth to the land beyond upon my death where I am sharing some stories with you missing you terribly.

RKS 2023 Wine: Chardonnay Leads the Pack in Ontario

According to the Vintners Quality Alliance of Ontario’s 2022 Annual Report the top two grapes grown in Ontario are Riesling (13%) and Chardonnay (12%).

So let’s delve into an Ontario Chardonnay a Leaning Post Chardonnay 2020 The Fifty.

Aroma: Classic notes of apple and pear predominate. Some nectarine. And they are clean and powerful. Not a hint of funkiness or anything to worry about. Simple and direct hinting at a clean palate.

Palate: Delicious and the clean fruit just keeps on going. Apple, pear and a hint of lemon meringue pie. No out of whack acidity that plagues many Chardonnays. The majority of the wine was fermented in concrete tank then the remainder in both oak and stainless steel and after fermentation all wine was aged on full lees in stainless steel and concrete. 

Personality: Delightfully charming with no tricks up my sleeve.

Food Match: The winery suggests brie, sole meuniere and lemon roasted chicken which I agree with depending on the amount of lemon in the chicken. My lemon chicken is Greek style with loads of lemon which many a Chardonnay simply couldn’t handle and in my case I would suggest an Ontario Sparkling Riesling.

Cellarbility: The winery suggests 5-8 years.

Price: $24.95 (Ontario).

RKS 2023 Wine Rating: 90/100. Michael Godel 92/100.

(leaning post Chardonnay 2020 The Fifty, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Leaning Post Wines, Stoney Creek, Ontario, 750 mL, 12.5%). 540 cases made.