RKS Wine 2023: Azores Wine Company: 2018 Verdelho Original António Maçanita

This Verdelho has been grown in the volcanic soils of Pico Island in the Azores Islands of Portugal. Aroma: Pineapple, honey, almonds and apple. Palate: Noticeable minerality and salinity with a gentle acidic bite if not a tad of white pepper. Bits of pineapple, guava and lemon meringue. Cellarability: Will not improve with age butContinue reading “RKS Wine 2023: Azores Wine Company: 2018 Verdelho Original António Maçanita”

RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Carménère from Viña Koyle

As far as Chilean Carménère goes this year it is hard to find a klunker but you never quite know do you? We put a Koyle Royale Carménère from the Alto Colchagua to the test. Aroma: While many Chilean Carménères have a nice raspberry and strawberry touch characteristic of a  lighter red wine this oneContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Carménère from Viña Koyle”

RKS 2023 Wine: Poor Ignored Greece!

Like so many European wine producing countries Greek wine receives very little attention from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. California is “show me the money”. And as there is no meaningful competition in the Ontario marketplace consumer exploitation! Same old countries over and over and over again. I am off to Portugal shortly forContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Poor Ignored Greece!”

RKS 2023 Wine: CREW and Ontario Cabernet Franc

CREW has a long record of producing excellent Lake Erie North Shore Cabernet Franc. Ontario should be proud of its Cabernet Franc. What is going down with CREW’s 2019 Cabernet Franc? Aromatics: Some very bright cherry and raspberry cheer up the glass. Additional notes of black cherry, cedar and milk chocolate Palate: The tannins areContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: CREW and Ontario Cabernet Franc”

RKS Wine 2023: Cabeça De Toiro from Tejo

It is not often we see a Portuguese wine from Tejo. It is 100% Touriga Nacional which is a favourite Portuguese red grape. Aroma: Raspberry, black cherry and blackberry combine for a compelling olfactory delight. Palate: Moderate tannins edging towards heavy. Blackberry and blueberry attack with a blackberry finish. Personality: Forceful, beefy and muscular. FoodContinue reading “RKS Wine 2023: Cabeça De Toiro from Tejo”

RKS 2023 Wine: Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay from Chile; Chernobyl Meltdown!

Red wines from Chile predominate on the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. White wines from Chile are in the shadows. You are more likely to see Chardonnay as the most prominent Chilean white. Chilean whites continue to disappoint in 2023. So let’s try the 2020 Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay. Aromatics: Pear,Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay from Chile; Chernobyl Meltdown!”

RKS 2023 Wine: Does Washington Power on with Powers?

In my humble opinion you get more bang for the buck with Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State than you get from California. For some reason Washington wineries are very skillful with their use of oak. So why not try a Powers 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley. It has been blended with small amountsContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Does Washington Power on with Powers?”

RKS Wine 2023: Carménère From Terra Pura in Chile

Aromatics: Raspberry jam, strawberry, blueberry and a hint of dark chocolate. Palate: The tannins are light and the acids are behaving themselves. Blackberry, raspberry, black cherry with a medium brackish finish. Personality: I am a good Carménère and proud of it. I am a bit rough on the edges which just might suit your palateContinue reading “RKS Wine 2023: Carménère From Terra Pura in Chile”

RKS Wine 2023: What is the Essence of Wine?

“It’s life, in the last analysis, is what sets wine apart. There is nothing else we buy to eat or drink that brings us the identity of a place and time in the same way, that memorizes and recalls (if we listen) all the circumstances that make it what it is. You can, of course,Continue reading “RKS Wine 2023: What is the Essence of Wine?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Quinta do Espírito Santo from Lisbon

You may know Lisbon as a wonderful tourist destination although unfortunately of late it is overrun by tourists. It is also a Portuguese wine appellation. The Quinta do Espírito Santo label has that annoying characteristic of not describing the grapes used in the blend instead stating it is made from “very ripe grapes of typicalContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Quinta do Espírito Santo from Lisbon”