RKS 2025 Wine: Corvina Obtains Divorce from Valpolicella Partners

The Corvina grape has been cuddling very close to Valpolicella for many years. Corvina is frequently blended with Rondinella and Molinara to make the whole of Valpolicella. But on occasion it must have a tiff with its blending partners and in a huff divorces itself from the other grapes and strikes its own path solo. Not worthy of a Bunga Bunga reportable scandal.

 Corvina is 100% Corvina Veronese in this wine.

Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry, hazelnut wafer cookie, raisin pie and cherry cola.

Palate: Moderate but persistent tannins. Dry. The interesting bouquet fails to fully materialize on the palate. Peppery, baked cherries and some dried fig.

Personality: I am not one to admit my mistakes but I am regretting leaving my Valpolicella partners this time. I can do better. Really I can. Just give me to another winemaker and/or vineyard manager and you’ll see. Please. Please. Give me another chance!

Food Match: Here in Ontario, Canada fresh vegetables are flooding the market. We can gorge domestically with high quality produce for 4 months and then it is back to vegetable gulag. I made my first pasta sauce this afternoon real nice and simple with field tomatoes, local red onion and garlic, a dash of Ontario red wine with basil/rosemary/oregano over an Italian pasta but on closer inspection made in Kentucky. Oh no!!!!

Cellarbility: If you make the mistake of buying this enjoy with your pasta but don’t store this wine. Drink now.

Price: $17 CDN.

RKS 2025 Wine Rating: 72/100. Luca Maroni 95.

(CA’ de’ Rocchi Corvè Corvina 2023, IGP Verona, CA’ de’ Rocchi, Lazise, Italy, 750 mL, 13.5).

RKS CANADIAN Documentary: “Under the Arbor”: An Explosion of Colour, Song, Music and Healing

A Powwow is a melding of music, song and dance at the very heart of Canadian Indigenous culture all the more significant as such expressions of indigenous culture were at one point illegal in Canada seen as heathen, immoral and Unchristian by the Canadian colonizers also responsible for the Residential School all part of an attempt at Indigenous cultural obliteration.

“Under the Arbor”, shot in Alberta, Canada, offers the viewer a visual and oral explanation of what a Powwow is and its importance to Indigenous culture. It is a testament to Indigenous resilience and resistance. It offers a connection bridge amongst different Indigenous communities and is a grass roots expression of Indigenous culture.

Summer is Powwow season. Singers, dancers and musicians compete for cash prizes but after watching this documentary the conclusion will be there is far more than cash driving the Powwow circuit.

You will hear from dancers, musicians and singers what the Powwow means to them personally and culturally. For the dancers “regalia” worn is elaborate a reflection of pride and offers Powwow spectators brilliant flashes of colour. Part of the entertainment is the role of the emcee, not quite as wild as Portuguese play by play soccer announcer but equally entertaining and at points insightful.

“Under the Arbor” is written, directed and produced by Hayley Morin. It will be premiering Canada-wide on CBC Gem 15August2025 (in Cree and in English) and will be on CBC television on 16August2025 at 20:00 hrs and in the North on Absolutely Canadian.

The Powwow is the “end product”. Why not a Part 2 about the organization, management and funding of a Powwow? Is it a business? A Non-profit? How is revenue generated to pay out prizes?

RKS Literature: The Useless Knowledge of Wine (Yukio Mishima)

“Since the Marquis was fond of Western food, dinner was served in the small dining room of the Western-style house, and he himself had gone down to the wine cellar to choose the wine. He had taken Kiyoaki with him and had gone to great lengths to expound on the characteristics of the various wines cradled in the shelves that filled the cellar. His father had gone on to explain what wine went with what foods, what wine should be served only on the occasion of the visit of a member of the Imperial Family, and so on, beaming all the while. The Marquis never seemed as happy as when dispensing useless knowledge of this kind.”

Yukio Mishima, “Spring Snow”, 1968.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Film: “Magnetosphere”: Quirky, Cheesy, Tender and Risque

Maggie (Shayelin Martin) is a thirteen-year-old with “an issue” which initially may be having you wandering down the depressing rocky road of a severe neurological disease. Occasionally she sees sparkles and murky clouds around objects and her sensory reception all around seems skewered. And top that off with being an insecure teen with low self esteem. Concerns deepen with her interactions with a sassy Barbie-Buzz Lightyear like doll, Captain Cassiope, incessantly communicating Maggie’s insecurities back to her. Is the film wavering between a comedy or tragedy?

Maggie has just moved to Sault Ste. Marie a small town in Northern Ontario. Although it is fueled by professional opportunities for her nerdy-short sleeved father and mother, Maggie is stuck in a rut with high regrets for the family move. And her younger sister Evie (Zooey Schneider), one of the most quirky and obnoxious but highly delightful characters to hit the Canadian big screen, adds a bit of torment to her life.

Coping with her neurological issues Maggie must deal with bullying at school and a bout of puppy love with Travis (Steven He) an actor in her father’s theatre company. Luckily for Maggie she makes a school chum Wendy (Mikayla Kong) and is under the compassionate wings of her art teacher Ms. Deering (Deborah McGrath).

As the viewer prepares for impending tragedy early in the movie some contra-tragic assurances may be received by the quirky “Nam veteran” handyman Gil (Colin Mochrie) who doesn’t hesitate to use dynamite as a pest control method for a rat!

Colin Mochrie rat hunting!

Maggie is diagnosed with a neurological issue which, believe it or not, may be a blessing in disguise, And you thought a tumour. Whew!

Struggling through a plenitude of cheesy music is poor teen Maggie who receives a shocking knock you off the chair revelation by Wendy superbly managed by director and writer Nicola Rose equally well handling the delicate and imaginary puppy love relationship of Maggie’s with adult Travis.

Deftly aimed at the teen market but with elements that won’t leave adults gagging over maudlinistic messages.

One must note the commanding, warm and earnest performance of Debra McGrath. 

Available Digitally/VOD.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Film Rating 77/100.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hinterbrook Nomad’s 23 Humble

“Humble” can mean having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance. Often it can be seen as a positive attribute; a sort of an underestimation of excellence. Is Hinterbrook telling us succinctly this is an excellent wine but there shall be no bragging about it!

At a price of $20 CDN its price is indeed humble given its quality.

Oh the metaphors and similes swirling about wine labels these days!

The wine is a blend of 47% Merlot and 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and has spent 12 months in oak barrels.

Aroma: Welcoming waft of black cherry, raspberry, blueberry and a wisp of dark chocolate. An initial impression of a wine light on its feet.

Palate: Yes, it is relatively light with humble tannins. Cassis, licorice with somewhat of a peppery midweight finish. Just a short and beguiling and point worthy flash of sweetness on the after finish.

Personality: Yes, I am a good wine but saying I am good is honest and hence not much to be humble about given the confidence I have in myself.

Food Match: Cod Plaki or bacalhau in tomato sauce with a foundation of  Ontario field tomatoes.

Cellarbility: Redlight near the end of 2026.

Price: $20 CDN.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 89/100.

(Hinterbrook Nomad 23 Humble, VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Hinterbrook Estate Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, 750 mL, 13.6%).

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Film: “Hola Frida”: Cheapened by Gringo Voices?

HOLA FRIDA is an animated feature film that introduces a new generation to one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century—Frida Kahlo. Known for her strength, resilience, and creativity, Frida revolutionized modern art through her unique blend of Expressionism, Surrealism, and deep-rooted Mexican culture. Her life and legacy continue to inspire audiences worldwide, and the film is dedicated to her indelible spirit.

Based on the celebrated animated series and book Frida, c’est moi, HOLA FRIDA tells a playful and heartfelt story of Frida’s childhood. Set in vibrant Coyoacán, Mexico, young Frida finds refuge in her imagination as she faces illness—revealing the earliest sparks of the artist she would become. 

Visual appeal makes the film a draw for children but there are messages embedded within all the fun and frivolity and the intellectual ability of the child viewer will determine if the messages are successfully conveyed. The importance of determination and goal setting, confidence in your abilities, accepting your disabilities and moving on, learning to excel despite the disability, understanding that you have an inner strength and not accepting sexism.

Slightly distracting are the voices of Mexicans speaking flawless English throwing in the occasional Spanish phrase. This gringoism tarnishes the authenticity of the film. Spanish with English subtitles would be ridiculous for the non-Hispanic marketplace but at least let’s have voices with a bit of a Latino accent!

Watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/1099738743/86b3d8b621

The film will have a theatrical release 8August2025.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Film Rating: 71/100.

RKS Literature: The Virus of Elegance (Yukio Mishima)

“A mere 50 years before, the Matsugaes had been a sturdy, upright samurai family, no more, eking out a frugal existence in the provinces. But in a brief span of time, their fortunes had soared. By Kiyoaki’s time, the first traces of refinement were threatening to take hold on a family that, unlike court nobility, had enjoyed centuries of immunity from the virus of elegance. And Kiyoaki, like an ant that senses the approaching flood, was experiencing the first intimations of his family’s rapid collapse.”

Yukio Mishima, “Spring Snow”, 1968.

RKS 2025 Film: “Drowning Dry” (Sesė)

The Lithuanian title of the film is “Sesė” meaning sisters but the English title is “Drowning Dry”. Both titles co-exist in a symbiotic relationship.

Drowning dry happens after a near drowning victim has their lungs drained of water by various revival techniques, I know well being a member of the elite Royal Lifesaving Society, yet encounters muscle spasms closing the airway and preventing air from entering the lungs. Death may result from a drowning dry sometimes referred to as a secondary drowning.

All main characters in the film appear metaphorically to be near drowning victims not immediately felled by trauma or tragedy yet suffering delayed consequences afterwards. It prods you with an unasked question: is psychological drowning dry an essential element of the human condition?

“Drowning Dry” is a film intentionally lacking temporal continuity zig zagging over some 9 different time scenarios where fate is determined by differing circumstances. It tests your imagination and intellectual abilities with what could have happened, what didn’t happen and what happened.

The film commences with Lukas (Paulius Markevicius) winning an MMA championship. Ernesta (Gelmine Glemzaite), his wife, cries wishing he should have had the shit kicked out of him so that he would give up the sport.

Lukas, Ernesta and her sister Juste (Agne Kaktaite) and her husband Tomas (Giedrius Kiela) with their two children Urte and Kristupas drive up to the sisters’ summer home. They chat, eat, drink and the sisters even ham it up with a short dance routine. At the lake Tomas playfully drops daughter Urte into the water and she doesn’t surface. Then temporal discontinuity takes over teasing the viewer with what could have happened, what didn’t happen and what happened. With great intellectual strain by the end of the film the viewer may piece together what actually happened but it is either a tortuous or playful experience depending on the psyche of the viewer.

Director Laurynas Bareiša drops hinting breadcrumbs throughout leading to a possible “complete story” despite the temporal discontinuity. The viewer must use some creative interpretation of events to assemble the “complete story” and even if doing so there is no certainty of correctness. In fact the viewer may have been intentionally duped by Bareiša into believing the film is more complicated than it really is!

Here is the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWglHzfxlNw

The United States theatrical run commences 18July2025 and will be showing 13November2025 in Canada at the European Union Film Festival.

RKS 2025 Film Rating: 87/100.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hinterbrook’s Nomad 22 Wanderlust

Not able to join the gang for the Cake Parade on 1July2025 at Niagara-on-the-Lake due to recovery from hernia surgery I could alleviate my misery and the need for extensive walking by driving along Lakeshore Road where I discovered an extremely quiet Hinterbrook Estate Winery. After all it was Canada Day and who wants to miss the Cake Parade except for gimpsters like me.

Nomads have wanderlust. Synchronicity in name!

53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot aged 24 months in oak barrels.

Aroma: Black cherry, raspberry, rhubarb and chocolate covered almonds.

Palate: Smooth and lightweight yet with a touch of raspiness on the palate with a bit of pepper on the short finish. The fruit can’t wander and trample the palate as one might expect with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Personality: Light on my feet. Not a prize fighter nor a ballerina.

Food Match: The “Full Throttle” pizza from Garage Pizza on Niagara-on-the-Lake.  

Cellarbility: Consume in 2025.

Price: $26 CDN.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 86/100.

(Nomad 22 Wanderlust, VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Hinterbrook Estate Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, 750 mL, 14%).

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Wending Home’s A Little Bit of This a Little Bit of That

If by chance you are overly accustomed with single varietals perhaps you wish to try Wending Home’s Wending North a blend of 27% Ehrenfelser, 18% Auxerrois, 18% Pinot Gris, 16% Gewurztraminer and 5% Chardonnay. A dog’s breakfast or brilliance in a glass?

Aroma: Honeycrisp apple, cinnamon, guava, mango, pineapple, honey, marzipan and Abate pear. A minerality that reminds one of an Encruzado from the Dão of Portugal.

Palate: If there was such a thing as perfect acidity in a white wine you have it or should we refer to it as a very fine acidity? Solid. Juicy. Mouthwatering pear, apple sauce, lychee and buzzing minerality with a long almost hot finish.

Personality: Consider me immediately accessible and a friend to a hot summer day.

Food Match: This blend may be the perfect outdoor dining wine as a little bit of this and that may be the perfect diplomatic wine. Delicious thereby possibly pleasing to at least an overwhelming majority. Grilled chicken, pork, rabbit and lake fish preferably pickerel or bass with garlic, chives and white wine in foil.

Price: $25 CDN.

Cellarbility: To be retired after the 2025 Christmas turkey.

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine Rating: 91/100. Rick VanSickle 92.

(Wending Home, Wending North White Blend 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Wending Home Estate Vineyards and Winery, St. Catharines, Ontario, 750 ml, 13.1%).