Late Bottle Vintage Port (LBV) is an affordable Port that can age well but certainly not as well as Vintage Port. For example the oldest Vintage Port I have had was an 1867 and it still had life. The 1932 Vintage Port likewise. How about the 2018 LBV from Kopke? Aroma: If there is oneContinue reading “PORTHEAD ALERT! Kopke 2018 LBV”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2024 Wine: Portuguese Wines: The Way of the Dinosaur in Ontario
Over the course of 2024 a question has arisen and that is where Portuguese wines have migrated to as very few are heading into Ontario. Vintages releases of Portuguese wines at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) have disappeared while Spanish wines “flourish” as such a term must be interpreted in the LCBO crazeContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Portuguese Wines: The Way of the Dinosaur in Ontario”
RKS 2024 Wine: Giersberger Crémant d’Alsace
Made with 80% Pinot Gris and 20% Auxerrois. While Pinot Gris is a permitted grape for Champagne Auxerrois is not. Aroma: Pear, applesauce, Granny Smith apple, mango and peach. Palate: Crisp and cutting. Granny Smith apple, kiwi, ginger with a hint of bitterness. Personality: I can’t say I am elegant as I may come onContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Giersberger Crémant d’Alsace”
RKS 2024 Wine: A Casa-Dea Rosé from the County
In Ontario when we speak of wine from “The County” we mean Prince Edward County. It is approximately two hours drive from Toronto when the traffic is good which it rarely is. There are over 40 wineries in The County which is the land of second homes of the bourgeoisie of Toronto. But is alsoContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Casa-Dea Rosé from the County”
RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling from Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes: Exceptional! Stupendous!
I encountered this Riesling sitting on a beautiful Great Gatsby deck in Aurora, New York overlooking sunny Cayuga Lake two weeks ago. I brought back two bottles to Toronto. A magical setting and a magical wine I thought or was it just the vista and a beautiful June afternoon? No way! The wine may beContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling from Cayuga Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes: Exceptional! Stupendous!”
RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2021 Cabernet Franc-Lemberger from Cayuga Lake, New York
Cabernet Franc is a very successful grape in Ontario, perhaps its strongest red grape. Lemberger is somewhat of an unknown. I have yet to see Lemberger wine grown and sold as wine in Ontario. But there is plenty of it in the Finger Lakes. Hosmer has decided to blend Cabernet Franc with Lemberger. Fifty percentContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Hosmer 2021 Cabernet Franc-Lemberger from Cayuga Lake, New York”
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: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Pinot Noir
So far Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Merlot and 2021 Rosso have failed to impress. Incredibly cheap cork that crumbles whilst opening the bottles. Expectations are low for their 2021 Pinot Noir. Aroma: Thank goodness it smells like Pinot Noir. Off to a roaring start but so far aromas of the Merlot and Rosso have beenContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Pinot Noir”
RKS 2024 Wine: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Rosso: The Great Rosso Mystery!
Unfortunately, there is no indication on the label what grapes are used in this red blend Rosso I purchased at the winery this week. Not only that there is no “Rosso” wine on their website but there is a Rosso Cabernet yet its bottle picture does not say “Rosso Cabernet” but “Rosso”. Let’s assume, ifContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Rosso: The Great Rosso Mystery!”
RKS 2024 Wine: The Great Ontario Merlot Search Continues: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Merlot
Finding great Ontario Cabernet Franc is not that difficult. The same can’t be said for Merlot. Most of the time it is bland. Merlot from Niagara’s Two Sisters and Featherstone Estate are bright beacons for Ontario Merlot. So what about the 2021 Merlot from Riverview Estate Winery? The back label states it has been agedContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: The Great Ontario Merlot Search Continues: Riverview Estate Winery 2021 Merlot”
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 