RKS 2023 Wines: Good Karma Malbec? Blueberry Jam Memories!

Most Argentinian Malbecs are infused with good Karma. Is it because of some higher power in the wine cosmos or a matter of terroir meeting the right grape and winemaker? I think it best not to disrupt any mysticism. So I will not answer the question. From Finca Sophenia we have a 2020 Malbec fromContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Good Karma Malbec? Blueberry Jam Memories!”

RKS 2023 Wine: Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maule Valley

We move to another Chilean red wine a Rucahue Gran Reserva Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maule Valley in Chile. The Maule Valley is Chile’s largest viticultural region which is one of the most geographically and climatically diverse encompassing the Andes to the east, the sunny plains through the central corridor and the rollingContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maule Valley”

RKS 2023 Wine: Can’t Go Wrong Carménère from Chile?

While Malbec may be Argentina’s signature wine Carménère may be Chile’s although why peg a country having a signature wine? It just might create stereotypes. Look at New Zealand’s “signature wine” Sauvignon Blanc. Yet should it eclipse Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Merlot from New Zealand? What I can say so far this yearContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Can’t Go Wrong Carménère from Chile?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle

Aroma: Rich blasts of black fruit predominate especially blackberry. Palate: Rich on the nose rich on the palate. Again blackberry plays the leading role. The finish is of moderate length. Tannins are just above smooth. Personality: Simply being “rich” and full bodied is not enough. I have identifiable black fruit. In other words I notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle”

RKS 2023 Wine: Portugal Charging Ahead with Wine and Tourism Strategy

I was invited to apply to attend the first Wine and Travel Week in Porto from 20-26 February 2023. There were sessions on wine and food, mega lunches featuring Portuguese seafood and meat prepared by Portugal’s leading chefs. There was an awards ceremony for tourism which due to administrative error and clerical lack of discretionContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Portugal Charging Ahead with Wine and Tourism Strategy”

RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: ,

Lucas Amaral may be the youngest winemaker in Portugal at least according to his proud mother Sandra. He started at 19 and now at 21 he is building up his profile. On my recent trip to Portugal a group of us had the opportunity to meet Lucas, have lunch and enjoy his wine. Lucas isContinue reading “RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: ,”

RKS 2023 Food: Sardine Rehab

On my trips to Porto you might say I mainline on the tasty grilled sardines served up at Alexandre Osorio’s Postigo do Carvão right by the river in the historic Ribeira District of Porto. I have been sardining there for years. I mean the starters are great, like the octopus salad and the cod fritters.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Food: Sardine Rehab”

Misadventures in Wine Chapter 8: Wine Drinker Profiles: “The Know it All”

At times there can be a thin line separating The Know It All from the knowledgeable. The Know it All thinks they know all about wine. Although the adage “The more you know the less you know” is never entirely correct there can be a grain of truth in it as applicable to wine. NewContinue reading “Misadventures in Wine Chapter 8: Wine Drinker Profiles: “The Know it All””

RKS The Tea Meister: Tea Squared’s Cranberry Purifier

For many years I have been steadfastly avoiding “kiddie teas”. Kiddie teas often have no tea at all as an ingredient but nonetheless they list “tea” as one. They have a melange of flavours primarily all types of fruit. I have backed off from avoiding kiddie teas as a result of a recent experience IContinue reading “RKS The Tea Meister: Tea Squared’s Cranberry Purifier”

RKS Food: Mary Macleod’s Shortbread Visits Portugal, Ireland, Scotland and Canada

Although Mary Macleod is no longer with us her shortbread proudly pushes onwards and upwards. Mary opened her first ever shortbread shop in Toronto in 1981. The tiny bakeshop was the origin of her signature small batch all butter shortbread made by hand using simple premium ingredients. It recently had a retail shop but nowContinue reading “RKS Food: Mary Macleod’s Shortbread Visits Portugal, Ireland, Scotland and Canada”