Wine – Page 36 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Shiraz

Yalumba makes an impeccable organic Viognier. Can they repeat that with their organic Shiraz? Aroma: Full of rich black fruit particularly blackberries and black plums. Palate: Initially the tannins present themselves as softies but increase, not greatly, in intensity. Blackberries, blueberries with a licorice twist. Considering the wine is from South Australia one might categorizeContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Shiraz”

RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Viognier: Gewurztraminer in Handcuffs?

Reasonably priced Viognier is difficult to find. One of the better “budget” Viogniers I have encountered is the Yalumba Y Series Viognier found in the general list of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) which sells for $15.40. And more often than not it is sold out. How does Yalumba’s 2021 organic Viognier fare?Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Viognier: Gewurztraminer in Handcuffs?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Up n Comer: Assyrtiko?

Greek white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape may be leading the charge for “the white wine” of Greece. Santorini with its volcanic terroir is the most famous producer of wines made from Assyrtiko but prices are high for these Santorini wines. Mega Spileo in the Achaia region of Greece produces a more affordable Assyrtiko.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Up n Comer: Assyrtiko?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Massive Portuguese Producer José Maria da Fonseca’s Periquita 2020 Reserva

JMF was founded in 1834 and still sails on. The Periquita 2020 Reserva is 54% Castellan, 28% Touriga Nacional and 18% Touriga Franca. It is produced in the Setúbal Peninsula. Close to 1,000,000 bottles were produced. That’s a lot of wine. Can quality survive this volume? Aged 8 months in French and American oak. GrownContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Massive Portuguese Producer José Maria da Fonseca’s Periquita 2020 Reserva”

RKS 2023 Wine: Sick and Tired of Argentinian Malbec! Canaries in a Coal Mine?

In the past week alone I have heard two friends say they are sick and tired of Argentinian Malbec. Is this how the winemakers of Argentina are rewarded for a never-ending stream of excellent Malbec! Yes wine is a fickle business. The cure for Malbec fatigue is simply to drink it occasionally. These Malbec veteransContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Sick and Tired of Argentinian Malbec! Canaries in a Coal Mine?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely Disappoints

We try a Brigaldara Valpolicella Ripasso from Italy of course. Valpolicella rarely disappoints with an easy drinking personality. Mellow, smooth and warm perhaps is a good way of describing it. And to continue in non-technical terms choco cherry! 50% Corvina, 25% Corvinone and 25% Rondinella. What does this Ripasso mean? It derives from the verbContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely Disappoints”

RKS 2023 Wine: Bordeaux The Quieter Side of Sauvignon Blanc

Many of you love your New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. But have you given thought to how forceful it can be? Happily trying to avoid generalizations I have found Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc to be quieter and gentler than its Zealie cousin. We try a Cap Royal 2021 Sauvignon Blanc. Aroma: Lemon, vanilla, white grapefruit, tangerine, gingerContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Bordeaux The Quieter Side of Sauvignon Blanc”

RKS 2023 Wine: In Pedigree far Above the Roadside Wine in Tuscany

It has been over 15 years that I was last in Tuscany and staying some 20 minutes from Montepulciano a visit there was mandatory. A beautiful medieval town with stunning views of farmlands below and the Val D’Orcia. On the road there we discovered a cantina with two huge barrels inside with local wine. OneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: In Pedigree far Above the Roadside Wine in Tuscany”

RKS 2023 Wine: Zingari 2019 Toscana: Is There a Stranger in the Midst?

There are no shortages of grape varieties where Italian wine is concerned! I must admit though in this Zingari Tuscan IGT there is 25% Petit Verdot in addition to 25% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Syrah. I can’t recall having Petit Verdot in an Italian red blend. Is it a stranger in the midst? ItContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Zingari 2019 Toscana: Is There a Stranger in the Midst?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Lisbon in the Red Wine Hunt

What we Torontonians see on the shelves of our provincial liquor monopoly from Portugal in terms of red wine is the Douro region leading the pack but the Alentejo and Lisbon are catching up but the poor Dão lags way back in the pack. As quality goes there is not much rhyme and reason forContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Lisbon in the Red Wine Hunt”