While Malbec may be Argentina’s signature wine Carménère may be Chile’s although why peg a country having a signature wine? It just might create stereotypes. Look at New Zealand’s “signature wine” Sauvignon Blanc. Yet should it eclipse Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Merlot from New Zealand? What I can say so far this yearContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Can’t Go Wrong Carménère from Chile?”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2023 Wines: An Aussie Barossa Blast?
Barossa Valley wines are seldom tame. Most often they are concentrated and bold and every once and awhile can be most enjoyable. But isn’t that true of most wines. Different wines constantly rotated should be the name of the game unless you are stuck in a rut and happy as a pig in mud withContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: An Aussie Barossa Blast?”
RKS 2023 Wines: Zealie Pinot Noir: A Friendly Giant!
There is much high-quality Pinot Noir emanating from New Zealand but as usual here in Ontario we see very little of it. As we have in British Columbia and in Ontario some very decent Pinot Noir we needn’t cry too much. But on occasion why not dip our feet in a different pond and weContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Zealie Pinot Noir: A Friendly Giant!”
RKS 2023 Wines: Matetic from Chile: Glamping and Wine!
Having attended the first annual Wine and Travel Week in Porto with a side trip to Pico Island in late February I had the opportunity to chat with a representative of Chilean winery Matetic as they had a booth as an exhibitor in the Alfândega in Porto. We didn’t talk wine but rather accommodations availableContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Matetic from Chile: Glamping and Wine!”
RKS 2023 Wines: Alentejo Next Time?
I was in Porto at the end of February for Wine and Travel Week. Then after three days it was off to the Azores. I have never been to the Azores so I do not regret my decision. I had the choice of several wine regions Alentejo being one of them but I have visitedContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: Alentejo Next Time?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle
Aroma: Rich blasts of black fruit predominate especially blackberry. Palate: Rich on the nose rich on the palate. Again blackberry plays the leading role. The finish is of moderate length. Tannins are just above smooth. Personality: Simply being “rich” and full bodied is not enough. I have identifiable black fruit. In other words I notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle”
RKS 2023 Wine: Terras de Lava from Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores
Less than two weeks ago I was sitting in the tasting room of the Cooperativa Vitivinicola da Ilha do Pico in Madalena on Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores. There were 10 of us in the group all participating in Wine and Travel Week based in Porto. 8 were tour operators and two of usContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Terras de Lava from Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores”
RKS 2023 Wine: Porto Memories: Sagrado Reserva
I have a boatload of Porto memories all good and many lighthearted. I have been somewhat of a regular visitor there since 2014. One very pleasant memory is attending Port Wine Day in Porto pre COVID and having a memorable lunch with José Maria Cálem proprietor of Quinta Sagrado in the Douro region of Portugal.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Porto Memories: Sagrado Reserva”
RKS 2023 Wine: Are You Hunkering for a Hungarian?
Are we beggars here in Ontario at the mercy of state monopoly Liquor Control Board of Ontario? A dearth of Eastern European wines. I suppose the money trail leads to California, Italy and France. Eastern Europe is too risky. God help us if Polish Pinot Noir floods the market! The LCBO gods throw us, theContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Are You Hunkering for a Hungarian?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Tourism and Algarve Wines
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”
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 