Tourism in Portugal’s Algarve has had both a negative and positive effect on Algarve wineries. Being initially a “sun and beach” destination ramping up in the 1970s the rush for profits and the development of the Algarvian economy focused on sun and beach! Build, build and build more and who cared if vineyard land wasContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Tourism and Algarve Wines”
Category Archives: Travel
RKS 2023 Wine: Drinking Prohibited Wine in The Azores: Apologies and Gifts from the Portuguese Government
It was another windy and overcast day on Pico Island. I see why the vines are protected by those carrais i.e. lava rock enclosures. So I am savouring my toasted cornbread with a conger eel omelette for breakfast. My friend Fortunato Garcia knows my passion for conger eel so he had brought over some niceContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Drinking Prohibited Wine in The Azores: Apologies and Gifts from the Portuguese Government”
RKS 2023Wine: Drinking Prohibited Wine in the Azores: Minimum Security Accommodations at Adega a Go Go!
My last report had me imprisoned in Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores for drinking a wine “Proibida”. I mean it was a free pour and I am not even sure I saw the label yet hours later the Pico police force, all 8 of them, sweep in on me speaking in Portuguese so IContinue reading “RKS 2023Wine: Drinking Prohibited Wine in the Azores: Minimum Security Accommodations at Adega a Go Go!”
RKS 2023 Wine: “The Wines of the Algarve”: Escaping the Sun and Sea Conundrum
I attended the Wine and Tourism Week in late February in Porto, Portugal. The direction seemingly taken by many exhibitors was to move away from promoting wine and broaden it to encompass not only wine but culture and heritage, leisure activities and gastronomic experiences therefore giving a broader definition of wine tourism. Wine is notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: “The Wines of the Algarve”: Escaping the Sun and Sea Conundrum”
RKS 2023 Wines: Drinking the Way of the Dinosaur!
Terrantez do Pico is one of three indigenous Azorean grapes and it is close to going the way of the dinosaur. It has somewhat of a tropical nose with pineapple, guava and mango. The palate is creamy with tropical notes mixed with spice and just a bit of Prince Edward Island red soil potatoes withContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Drinking the Way of the Dinosaur!”
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 Wine: António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite: An Alentejo Classic?
Red wines from Portugal’s Alentejo region often nip at the heels of red wines from Portugal’s Douro region. António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite is up there with some of the best reds from the Douro. It is a blend of Alicante Bouschet (27%), Aragonez (25%), Castelăo (14%), Tricanderia (14%), Alfrochiero (12%) and 8 % ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite: An Alentejo Classic?”
RKS 2023 Wines: 2020 Vinha Centenária from Azores Wine Company
The 2020 Vinha Centenária António Maçanita from the Azores Wine Company on Pico Island is a blend of Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho, Alicante Branco and Boal. 13.5% alcohol. Aroma: There is volcanic rock, salinity, oranges and pineapple. Palate: Creamy, peppery, restrained acidity, marmalade, Creamsicle with a super long finish. Food Match: Simply prepared seafood steak.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: 2020 Vinha Centenária from Azores Wine Company”
RKS Travel and Wine: TAP Portugal Airlines Has its 750 mL Wine Bottles Crying
I frequently give most European Airlines a pat on the back for serving wine in economy class from 750 mL bottles instead of those obnoxious mini plastic bottles which is all the more obnoxious in the case of Air Canada which adds insult to injury by serving French wine! A national carrier of Canada servingContinue reading “RKS Travel and Wine: TAP Portugal Airlines Has its 750 mL Wine Bottles Crying”
RKS 2023 Wine: Azores Wine Company Arinto dos Açores 2018
The grapes for this wine were planted in cracks in a lava bed at the foot of a volcanic mountain. The vineyards are planted close to the ocean so you can hear the crabs sing. The vines are protected by lava rock walls known as currais. Aroma: A tad funky but not unappealingly so. NotesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Azores Wine Company Arinto dos Açores 2018”
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