Aroma: Fascinating funk as an aroma in decay. Never encountered this bizarre and alluring fog from Fogolar. Fog meets Fogolor! Niagara peach and apricot intertwined in this strangeness. Slate and marmalade. Palate: This medium dry Riesling is Pfalz all the way. Honeyed smoothness. Penetrating stone fruit with an endless finish. A full bodied almost aContinue reading “RKS 2026 Ontario Wine: Fogolar Funk Riesling?”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: British Columbian Cabernet Sauvignon Not to Be Overlooked
Due to the blustering and threat mongering of President Donald Trump of the disUnited States some Canadian provinces have prohibited the sale of American wine and spirits. This has been a severe blow to Californian wineries but has created an opportunity for Canadian wineries to benefit from this prohibition and show their stuff. But canContinue reading “RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: British Columbian Cabernet Sauvignon Not to Be Overlooked”
RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: Smith & Montpetit 2023 Muse
Another limited quantity wine from the Smith and Montpetit Winery in the Similkameen Valley in the Canadian province of British Columbia. 100 cases produced. A Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend. Barrel aged 12 months in 30% two-year-old French oak and 70% in neutral French oak. Six barrels produced. Wild yeast fermented. Aroma: Silky smoothness. BingishContinue reading “RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: Smith & Montpetit 2023 Muse”
RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: Another Tempranillo Requiring Your Attention
Tempranillo and Canada are obviously bad bedfellows? You are mistaken. An increasing amount is being found in bottles of red wine from the Canadian province of British Columbia. Three cheers for that! The Trumpster has referred to Canada as the land of the igloo people. Well for “Eskimos” Trump may have read in his geographyContinue reading “RKS 2026 British Columbia Wine: Another Tempranillo Requiring Your Attention”
RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Maison Smith Montpetit 2022 Merlot a Proud Right Banker (Not a Wanker!)
Samples from Maison Smith Montpetit, located in the heart of the Similkameen Valley in British Columbia, arrived today a brutally cold winter day where minus 13 Celsius seems balmy. Tonight minus 24. Fine for icewine but not so for humans. The labels bespeak first growth Bordeaux. Simple yet dignified. Only 150 cases of this 2022Continue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Maison Smith Montpetit 2022 Merlot a Proud Right Banker (Not a Wanker!)”
RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version): 13October2025: Boarding the Eastern & Oriental Express: Where Veuve Clicquot Flows Like Water but the Big and Tall May Face a Tight Squeeze
13October2025: Boarding the Eastern & Oriental Express: Where Veuve Clicquot Flows Like Water but the Big and Tall May Face a Tight Squeeze Goodbye to the Shangri-La Singapore. No complaints whatsoever about that hotel. On the bus to the Woodlands Train Station bordering Malaysia to board the Eastern and Oriental Express (E&OE). I have preconceivedContinue reading “RKS 2025 Travel: Destination Southeast Asia (Short Attention Span Version): 13October2025: Boarding the Eastern & Oriental Express: Where Veuve Clicquot Flows Like Water but the Big and Tall May Face a Tight Squeeze”
RKS 2026 CANADIAN Wine: Tempranillo in British Columbia!
Look out Rioja! Tempranillo has appeared yet again in British Columbia, Canada. The first Tempranillo I encountered was from Stag’s Hollow in the Okanagan area of British Columbia and it was mighty impressive. This is far less so. Inniskillin’s Discovery Series presents 500 cases of its 2020 Tempranillo from the Okanagan. Aroma: Jampacked black fruitContinue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN Wine: Tempranillo in British Columbia!”
RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Jackson-Triggs Shiraz from Niagara
You are more likely to see “Syrah” instead of “Shiraz” on Ontario wine labels. Is Jackson-Triggs hinting at an Australian Shiraz experience with their label for this wine? Aged in a combination of American and French oak. AROMA: Indeed, this has the richness and intensity one might expect from an Aussie Shiraz, but such attributesContinue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Jackson-Triggs Shiraz from Niagara”
RKS 2026 Wine: A Good Perspective on Portugal’s Douro?
2025 witnessed a dearth of Douro wine in Ontario for reasons unknown but we start 2026 with a LCBO Vintages 10January release with 5 Portuguese wines 3 of which are from the Douro. What about Perspectiva 2020 Red from the Douro? Does it offer a good perspective of a Douro red? Aged 12 months inContinue reading “RKS 2026 Wine: A Good Perspective on Portugal’s Douro?”
RKS 2025 Wine: The Best Wines of 2025
94 Colchester Estate Winery Grand CREW Cabernet Sauvignon (Canada) 94 Stag’s Hollow 2022 Renaissance Merlot Okanagan Valley (Canada) 94 Hester Creek 2022 Old Vine Cabernet Franc (Canada) 94 Schild Estate Angus Brae Vineyard 2020 Shiraz (Australia) 94 Big Head Red #11 (Canada) 94 El Enemigo 2021 Single Vineyard Bonarda (Argentina) 94 Chateau Ste Michelle IndianContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: The Best Wines of 2025”
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