RKS 2026 Nova Scotian Wines: The 2022 Old Bill

Few wines from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia grace the shelves of Ontario’s liquor monopoly, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. All the brouhaha in Canada about promoting and buying Canadian products? The producer Luckett Vineyards is in the Gaspereau Valley of Nova Scotia It is blend of Pinot Noir, Castel and Lucie KuhlmannContinue reading “RKS 2026 Nova Scotian Wines: The 2022 Old Bill”

RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: British Columbian Cabernet Sauvignon Not to Be Overlooked

Due to the blustering and threat mongering of President Donald Trump of the disUnited States some Canadian provinces have prohibited the sale of American wine and spirits. This has been a severe blow to Californian wineries but has created an opportunity for Canadian wineries to benefit from this prohibition and show their stuff. But canContinue reading “RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: British Columbian Cabernet Sauvignon Not to Be Overlooked”

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):16October2025: No Guilt Shopping and Observations on Poverty and Luxury

16October2025: No Guilt Shopping and Observations on Poverty and Luxury I have purposely opted out of the day’s tour itinerary not feeling particularly well and exhausted by all the travelling and a late night yesterday. I miss a cruise on the Chao Phraya River, but I did that last night. Yet more temples. The plenitudeContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):16October2025: No Guilt Shopping and Observations on Poverty and Luxury”

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):Singapore 12October2025:  Passing on the 250 Acre Gardens by the Bay and the Garden Rhapsody Light and Musical Show

Singapore 12October2025:  Passing on the 250 Acre Gardens by the Bay and the Garden Rhapsody Light and Musical Show I am not enthused by the evening activity of visiting the 250-acre Gardens by the Bay with The Cloud Forest, Supertree Observatory, Flower Dome and OCBC Skyway followed by the garden Rhapsody Light and Musical ShowContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):Singapore 12October2025:  Passing on the 250 Acre Gardens by the Bay and the Garden Rhapsody Light and Musical Show”

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):

Singapore 10October2025: Yet Another Parsimonious “Welcome Reception to Meet Your Fellow Travellers” Given the hefty sum paid for this tour upon reading in the itinerary “Welcome Reception” one expects somewhat of a full-blown reception with nibbles, cocktails, wine and perhaps a bit of music. But my past experience with our tour company ABC International inContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):”

RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Jackson-Triggs Shiraz from Niagara

You are more likely to see “Syrah” instead of “Shiraz” on Ontario wine labels. Is Jackson-Triggs hinting at an Australian Shiraz experience with their label for this wine? Aged in a combination of American and French oak. AROMA: Indeed, this has the richness and intensity one might expect from an Aussie Shiraz, but such attributesContinue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Jackson-Triggs Shiraz from Niagara”

RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):Singapore 10October2025: Breakfast at Singapore’s Shangri-La Beyond Belief: Dazed and Confused With a Happy Gut

Singapore 10October2025: Breakfast at Singapore’s Shangri-La Beyond Belief: Dazed and Confused With a Happy Gut So much for the fantastic sleep even with the little white pill. Woke up at 02:30 and 05:30. Dealing with a 12 hour time difference. Stumbled down to breakfast and the bright colours of the breakfast dining room Line RestaurantContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version):Singapore 10October2025: Breakfast at Singapore’s Shangri-La Beyond Belief: Dazed and Confused With a Happy Gut”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc

Another red from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. It is a Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc. Aged 18 months in French and American oak. Aroma: Both black and red cherry offer initial welcoming notes with a deep blackberry and mocha riff. Although comparisons are often odious it reminds one of a Niagara Cabernet FrancContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc”

RKS 2025 Wine: El Enemigo Chardonnay from Argentina: 2018 vs. 2023

El Enemigo 2023 Chardonnay Aroma: Up in your face oak as if it has hijacked the wine. Pineapple, mango, pear and cinnamon. Fresher and lighter than the 2018. Palate: A bit raspy and abrasive whereas the 2018 is far smoother. You taste the oak. Rather thin in comparison to the 2018. Acids are noticeable andContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: El Enemigo Chardonnay from Argentina: 2018 vs. 2023”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Cabernet Franc Ontario’s Great Red Wine Strength: Does a 2027 Cellars Cabernet Franc Carry the Torch?

If you can’t produce a top-notch Cabernet Franc in Ontario you might as well go home. There were 366 cases of 2027 Cellars 2021 Cabernet Franc produced. Aroma: On the head of the nail with bright cherry, black cherry, cocoa and cola. Palate: Packs more of a punch than its tender aromas might suggest andContinue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Cabernet Franc Ontario’s Great Red Wine Strength: Does a 2027 Cellars Cabernet Franc Carry the Torch?”