Red wines from Portugal’s Alentejo are tied at the hip to the Alicante Bouschet grape known more for imparting colour to red wine than for its delectability. Whatever the reason as far as Alentejano blends if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Here we have a Herdade do Rocim a Vinho Regional Alentejano being aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Alentejo Love Affair with Alicante Bouschet: Alentejo Love Affair with Alicante Bouschet”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2023 Wine: A Douro White: Três Bagos
We see very little white wine from Portugal’s Douro region here in Toronto. Red is king there but it is not a quality issue. Could it be “the curse of the high reputational wine”. As far as table wines go the Douro produces the highest quality reds so has that frightened off wine drinkers fromContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Douro White: Três Bagos”
RKS 2023 Wine: A Bordeaux That Tastes Like Rusty Nails? Mon Dieu!
The 27May2023 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) Vintages Release catalogue has a snippet of a jamessuckling.com review for a Château Clou du Pin 2020 stating, “There is a rusty note in the finish that reminds you of rusty nails.” Indeed a most interesting descriptor! Yet “clou” in French means “nail” and thank goodness notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Bordeaux That Tastes Like Rusty Nails? Mon Dieu!”
RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?
When I saw the Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz having just under 5% Viognier added to it I thought perhaps it might be somewhat similar to a Côte-Rôtie of the Northern Rhône in France where Viognier is added to the Shiraz in very small quantities. Côte-Rôtie is very dear in price. I have twoContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Paringa Estate 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shiraz: An Affordable Côtes-Rôtie?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo
I have made previous comments concerning the surge of red wines from the Alentejo region of Portugal leaving the Douro somewhat behind. In the 27May2023 LCBO Vintages release catalogue of the Portuguese reds 3 are from Alentejo and 1 from the Douro. The Herdade do Sobroso is a blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet SauvignonContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Herdade do Sobroso from Portugal’s Alentejo”
Porthead Alert: Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny: Port Attention Deficit Syndrome
Offley is a Sogrape brand. Pre-Covid I recall going out with the Sogrape folks to the Bolsa (Old Stock Exchange) in Porto for some stellar Portuguese beef…prime rib roast I recall and we had Port with the beef. It worked perfectly and I won’t forget that match. But mention it to just about anyone inContinue reading “Porthead Alert: Offley 10-Year-Old Tawny: Port Attention Deficit Syndrome”
RKS 2023 Wine: It Seems Portugal’s Alentejo is Coming on Strong
Is there an offensive launched by Portugal’s Alentejo region these days in Ontario? Is the Douro taking it on the chin? Alentejano reds completely outnumber whites and while they may utilize mostly indigenous grapes the Alicante Bouschet grape features predominantly in the red blends. Alicante Bouschet is a cross of Grenache and Petit Bouschet crossedContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: It Seems Portugal’s Alentejo is Coming on Strong”
RKS 2023 Wine: Primarius Oregonian Pinot Noir: Meaty and Intellectual?
I reviewed an Iranian-French film last night, titled “Subtraction” and my take was that it was meaty and intellectual as to content. Can a wine be meaty and intellectual? I have had a few wines that have had some meatiness to them often with notes of smoked meat. It is interesting that both red winesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Primarius Oregonian Pinot Noir: Meaty and Intellectual?”
RKS 2023 Wine: More Good Ontario Gamay? Di Profio 2019 Gamay Noir
Aroma: Cherry, raspberry and a bit of mocha. Simple and delightful. Palate: Modest tannins. Light and smooth with Niagara cherry, blackberry, almonds and a bit of red pepper jelly. Short finish. Personality: OK I might not be bursting with fruit on the palate but essentially I am nonchalant and easy going. Perhaps I have aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: More Good Ontario Gamay? Di Profio 2019 Gamay Noir”
RKS Literature: “Zorba the Greek”: Splendid Ierapetra Wine
“We clinked our glasses and drank. Splendid Ierapetra wine, as black as hare’s blood. When you drank, it was though you were receiving earth-blood as Holy Communion. You flourished. Your veins were filled to the brim with strength, your heart with kindness: if you were a coward, you became brave: if you were already braveContinue reading “RKS Literature: “Zorba the Greek”: Splendid Ierapetra Wine”
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