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?”
Category Archives: Food
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”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Sicilian Grillo-Chardonnay
Think Grillo then think Sicilian power. With Sicilian Chardonnays cool climate Chardonnays are left behind. It is a 50/50 blend. Aroma: Concentrated notes of pear, apple, mango, pineapple, peaches, quince, honey and a slight briny note. Palate: Full bodied medium dry wine with a long finish. Slight floral tinge with heavier notes of pear, applesauce,Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Sicilian Grillo-Chardonnay”
RKS 2024 Wine: Susana Balbo Rarely Gets Her Malbec Wrong
We try a Susana Balbo 2022 Signature Malbec. 96% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. From grapes grown at 1150 meters and aged for 13 months in French oak. Aroma: This wine, verging on purplish, flashes its blackberry, blueberry, black cherry and lavender soul in a smoky frame. Classic lush and plush Malbec. Palate: Smooth andContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Susana Balbo Rarely Gets Her Malbec Wrong”
RKS 2024 Wine: Monte Zovo Caligo Veronese 2018
This red wine is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. Aroma: Red cherry, cranberry and raspberry. Palate: Relatively light and dry with low tannins making it an attractive sipper. Strawberry, raspberry jam and cactus pear. Moderately long finish. Personality: I am easy going but not a push over. A mere IGT you say butContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Monte Zovo Caligo Veronese 2018”
RKS 2024 Wine Tourism: The Finger Lakes Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
There are 11 Finger Lakes in New York all narrow enough to be reminiscent of fingers. Cayuga Lake is one of the lakes. For many wine drinkers in the United States and Canada accessibility to Finger Lake wine is minimal. The Finger Lakes are easily accessible by road. The trip would be 5 hours fromContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine Tourism: The Finger Lakes Cayuga Lake Wine Trail”
