At one time it was thought Plavac Mali was Zinfandel but at best Plavac Mali and Zinfandel may have shared some ancestral grape heritage. It is my go-to red in Croatia and has its most extensive planting on Croatia’s stunning Dalmatian coast. Two or three times a year Torontonians see some Plavic Mali on ourContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Croatian Plavac Mali”
Category Archives: Food
Penniless Pensioner Wines: The Under $15 Man Tries Morgado Silgueiros from Portugal’s Dão
Well in rapid succession the Penniless Pensioner has snagged a $12.95 wine from Portugal’s Dão’s region. His last wine we snuffled about was also from the Dão so he concludes this region cherishes penniless pensioners. The wine has seen no oak and is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Tinta Roriz and Alfrochiero. One readerContinue reading “Penniless Pensioner Wines: The Under $15 Man Tries Morgado Silgueiros from Portugal’s Dão”
RKS 2024 Wine: Tired of that “farm to table” expression but the wine bearing that name?
Was it a decade or so I was reviewing a restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Central Park South in New York and they were terribly excited about the “farm to table concept”. Sounds bucolic like a noble farmer carefully tending his plot or animals with his hands and lovingly of course, the tastiest fowl, lamb orContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Tired of that “farm to table” expression but the wine bearing that name?”
RKS Retail: And Your COSTCO Shopping Style Is?
Over the years this COSTCO shopper has noticed the “style” of other COSTCO shoppers. Bear in mind depending on the circumstances such as the time available to that shopper a style can change or at any given time there can be a COSTCO shopper that is of a hybrid category i.e. a “Mixie”. The SpeedyContinue reading “RKS Retail: And Your COSTCO Shopping Style Is?”
RKS 2024 Wine: Douro Delight?
Having been to the Douro Valley several times I have yet to visit Bulas Cruz the producer of the wine we are about to sample. 30% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz and 20% Touriga Franca. Aroma: Pumped up with black cherry. Blueberry, blackberry with a hint of coconut. Palate: Vibrant acidity you can feel ratherContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Douro Delight?”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Pinot Nero from Northern Italy
The winery is in Bolzano, Italy and I have passed through Bolzano several times on my way to Austria. It is 118 kms. from Innsbruck. Aroma: Smoky red cherry. Some red beet and milk chocolate. Palate: More or less the same as on the nose. Light with a micro coating of tannins that fades almostContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Pinot Nero from Northern Italy”
RKS Travel: Thessaloniki’s Best Coffee?
Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, is a rich city culturally and gastronomically. Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Italian and French architecture. The proliferation of coffeeshops is nothing short of stunning. As I look out my back and front window there is a coffee shop called “Coffee Island” and out back a Gregory’s. Then 20 steps away thereContinue reading “RKS Travel: Thessaloniki’s Best Coffee?”
RKS 2024 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely a Stinker
Approachable, friendly and easy drinking are the monikers of Valpolicella. Monikers of course are made to be broken, ignored or tampered with. 45% Corvina. 30% Corvione. 20% Rondinella. Aged 12-18 months in large oak barrels. We take this statement to the test with a 2021 Sartori Valpolicella. Aroma: Blackberry, black cherry, plum, raspberry and milkContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely a Stinker”
RKS 2024 Wine: Château Calet Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Blaye is where affordability and quality can happily co-exist. Aroma: Blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and licorice. Palate: The long finish is the first factor that meets your palate. Gentle tannins. Some chalkiness. Where’s the fruit? Personality: I am about as exciting as a day-old baguette. Food Match: Scrambled eggs with grilled tomatoes and Mennonite summer sausageContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Château Calet Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux”
RKS 2024 Wine: Château Saint Cyrgues from Costières de Nîmes
The wine is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Marselan which is cross between Grenache and Syrah. Aroma: Blackberry, black cherry with some raspberry and licorice. Palate: Moderate and broad-based tannins. A bit gravelly but even given that it is smooth with a bit of a peppery finish. The acids hover inContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Château Saint Cyrgues from Costières de Nîmes”
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