This wine is a regular in Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages releases. “Trina Bolotas” in its name is Portuguese for grazing “acorn cracker pigs” which include acorns as part of their diet. Its distinctive taste makes for delicious roast pork even more sublime when matched with the right wine! A blend of Alicante Bouschet,Continue reading “RKS Wines of Portugal: A Wine Fit for Miss Piggy?”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS PORTUGUESE WINE: Ravasqueira Encantado Red
A blend of Syrah, Touriga Franca and Alicante Bouschet. Grown in clay-limestone soils with rocky influence of granite and schist. The vinification of the Syrah and Touriga Franca was in open stainless steel lagares and the Alicante Bouschet in stainless steel fermenting tanks. The blend was aged 8 months in new French oak barrels. TheContinue reading “RKS PORTUGUESE WINE: Ravasqueira Encantado Red”
RKS Literature: Soaking up Cheap Wine in the Slums of Paris (George Orwell)
“There was R., an Englishman who lived six months of the year in Putney with his parents and six months in France. During his time in France he drank four litres of wine a day, and six litres on Saturday; he once had travelled to the Azores, because the wine there is cheaper than anywhereContinue reading “RKS Literature: Soaking up Cheap Wine in the Slums of Paris (George Orwell)”
RKS Wines Of Greece: Xinomavro a Most Difficult Grape Unless….
Xinomavro, a Greek red grape, is problematic. It can be highly tannic and grape quality aside, if not sufficiently aged, your mouth is in for a battle. For this reason, I largely avoid Xinomavro. Yet I have had the pleasure of Xinomavro aged some twenty years and it was remarkable. I was at the TorontoContinue reading “RKS Wines Of Greece: Xinomavro a Most Difficult Grape Unless….”
RKS WINES OF GREECE: A True Greek Blend: Novus Altitude White
A blend of 60% Moschofilero, 25% Assyrtiko and 15% Malagousia. Aroma: Peach, apricot and Nafplio marmalade Palate: Explosion of Greek peaches and juicy oranges with a long spicy finish. Personality: A true Greek blend I am. Food Match: Gavros tiganitos (fried anchovies). Cellarbility: Drink in 2026. Price: $18 CDN. RKS WINES OF GREECE Rating: 87/100.Continue reading “RKS WINES OF GREECE: A True Greek Blend: Novus Altitude White”
RKS 2026 Wine: More El Enemigo Bonarda
I recall years ago reading a newsletter from a Canadian wine writer who on occasion would say don’t walk to the store to buy a particular wine but run. I can’t recall using those words but I might be tempted to say that here as El Enemigo Bonarda does not disappoint and it ages wellContinue reading “RKS 2026 Wine: More El Enemigo Bonarda”
RKS 2026 GREEK WINE: Novus 2023 Altitude Red
Agiorgitiko 68% at 510 m. Syrah 22% at 710 m. Merlot 10% at 580 m. Vinification occurs in stainless steel. Aroma: Raspberry, black cherry and mountainous Hellenic scrub. Palate: Low tannins and acids. Smooth. Somewhat juicy. Lingering peppery finish. Plum. Cactus pear. Cinnamon. Personality: As for grapes the Agiorgitiko makes me by majority Greek. ItContinue reading “RKS 2026 GREEK WINE: Novus 2023 Altitude Red”
RKS 2026 WINES OF PORTUGAL: Domini Douro 2023
A blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Francesca. Grown in schist soil. Aged three months in American and French oak. The winery suggests a shelf life of 6 years. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry and black raspberry. Palate: Full bodied. Tannic. Controlled acidity. Black fruit with a hint of spice and licorice. Tannins pareContinue reading “RKS 2026 WINES OF PORTUGAL: Domini Douro 2023”
RKS 2026 ONTARIO WINE: Can a Premium Priced Niagara Syrah Deliver?: Kacaba 2021 Terraced Vineyard Syrah
As a single varietal in Ontario Syrah struggles. At $35 you move into premium priced Syrah for Ontario. Aroma: Solid and ripe red cherry down to its core. Secondary notes of strawberry and raspberry. Tertiary notes of streaky bacon. Palate: Delicate tannins. Gentleness of red cherry and cherry liqueur. Perhaps too gentle and faded. SyrahContinue reading “RKS 2026 ONTARIO WINE: Can a Premium Priced Niagara Syrah Deliver?: Kacaba 2021 Terraced Vineyard Syrah”
RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Oxley 2021 Syrah from Lake Erie North Shore
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s 11April2026 Vintages catalogue describing this wine states, “Syrah is challenging to grow in Ontario, flourishing in only a select few ideal climates.” Very true. Aroma: Black fruit predominates primarily black currant and blackberry. Root beer. A certain smokiness. Palate: Tart red cherry. Lacking in richness. Mild tannins and acidsContinue reading “RKS 2026 CANADIAN WINE: Oxley 2021 Syrah from Lake Erie North Shore”
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