One can count on a fairly steady but limited amount of Spanish wines in Liquor Control Board of Ontario Vintages releases. And the prices are affordable. Aroma: If a single aroma such as cherry can carry this wine like it does many Riojas so be it. Pushing that a bit slim blackberry and raspberry notes.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: RIOJA: Diosares Crianza 2018: LCBO Dirty Pool?”
Category Archives: Food
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 ClimatContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Teroldego an Italian Grape Refugee Adopted by Stag’s Hollow in the Okanagan of British Columbia”
RKS 2023 Wine: High Tension with Mayhem’s 2022’s Naramata Bench Sauvignon Blanc
Talk about wine tasting tension! I pointed the 2021 Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc from the Okanagan in British Columbia at 94. Being somewhat skittish about Sauvignon Blanc that 94 is impressive. How will the 2022 Mayhem Sauvignon Blanc fare? The 2022 tried here was fermented 100% in stainless steel but the 2021 was fermented in FrenchContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: High Tension with Mayhem’s 2022’s Naramata Bench Sauvignon Blanc”
RKS 2023 Wine and Travel: Vinho Verde’s Missed Opportunity?
On June 20th I attended a Vinho Verde trade event in Toronto which was organized by Vinho Verde. Vinho Verde is a wine region in beautiful Northern Portugal perhaps best known for its crisp white wine. As far as trade shows for wine the venue was great but were there some opportunities missed? Given myContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine and Travel: Vinho Verde’s Missed Opportunity?”
RKS 2023 Wine: A Douro White: Três Bagos
We see very little white wine from Portugal’s Douro region here in Toronto. Red is king there but it is not a quality issue. Could it be “the curse of the high reputational wine”. As far as table wines go the Douro produces the highest quality reds so has that frightened off wine drinkers fromContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Douro White: Três Bagos”
RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?
When I saw the Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz having just under 5% Viognier added to it I thought perhaps it might be somewhat similar to a Côte-Rôtie of the Northern Rhône in France where Viognier is added to the Shiraz in very small quantities. Côte-Rôtie is very dear in price. I have twoContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?”
RKS 2023 Wine: It Seems Portugal’s Alentejo is Coming on Strong
Is there an offensive launched by Portugal’s Alentejo region these days in Ontario? Is the Douro taking it on the chin? Alentejano reds completely outnumber whites and while they may utilize mostly indigenous grapes the Alicante Bouschet grape features predominantly in the red blends. Alicante Bouschet is a cross of Grenache and Petit Bouschet crossedContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: It Seems Portugal’s Alentejo is Coming on Strong”
RKS 2023 Wine: Simple Vin de France Chardonnay with a Viognier Twist
This Novellum 2021 Chardonnay has an intriguing twist to it. Although 100% Chardonnay it has been aged on Viognier lees with a small proportion of oak ageing. You might want to think of lees as spent yeast cells sort of a goopy gook? Viognier is vastly different than Chardonnay being more perfumed and full ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Simple Vin de France Chardonnay with a Viognier Twist”
RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese
It is thought by many the top of the Greek Assyrtiko pyramid is the island of Santorini. But the price of Santorini Assyrtiko is beyond the budget of many. So we scale down the pyramid to an Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese. Aroma: Citrus, guava with a tiny streak of pineapple. Palate: Lemon, lemon curdContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese”
RKS Tea Meister: Hysson Green Tea from Gorreana in the Portuguese Azores
I attended “Wine and Travel Week” in Porto, Portugal in February. The takeaway was that wine is only a gateway into tourism. Yes wine and wineries are a great attraction for many but broaden that experience to include, gastronomy and local cultural sights and you have “wine tourism”. This is the reason so many wineriesContinue reading “RKS Tea Meister: Hysson Green Tea from Gorreana in the Portuguese Azores”
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