Category Archives: Wine

RKS 2023 Wine: Portugal Charging Ahead with Wine and Tourism Strategy

I was invited to apply to attend the first Wine and Travel Week in Porto from 20-26 February 2023. There were sessions on wine and food, mega lunches featuring Portuguese seafood and meat prepared by Portugal’s leading chefs. There was an awards ceremony for tourism which due to administrative error and clerical lack of discretionContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Portugal Charging Ahead with Wine and Tourism Strategy”

RKS 2023 Wine: António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite: An Alentejo Classic?

Red wines from Portugal’s Alentejo region often nip at the heels of red wines from Portugal’s Douro region. António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite is up there with some of the best reds from the Douro. It is a blend of Alicante Bouschet (27%), Aragonez (25%), Castelăo (14%), Tricanderia (14%), Alfrochiero (12%) and 8 % ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite: An Alentejo Classic?”

RKS 2023 Wines: 2020 Vinha Centenária from Azores Wine Company

The 2020 Vinha Centenária António Maçanita from the Azores Wine Company on Pico Island is a blend of Arinto dos Açores, Verdelho, Alicante Branco and Boal. 13.5% alcohol. Aroma: There is volcanic rock, salinity, oranges and pineapple. Palate: Creamy, peppery, restrained acidity, marmalade, Creamsicle with a super long finish. Food Match: Simply prepared seafood steak.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wines: 2020 Vinha Centenária from Azores Wine Company”

RKS Travel and Wine: TAP Portugal Airlines Has its 750 mL Wine Bottles Crying

I frequently give most European Airlines a pat on the back for serving wine in economy class from 750 mL bottles instead of those obnoxious mini plastic bottles which is all the more obnoxious in the case of Air Canada which adds insult to injury by serving French wine! A national carrier of Canada servingContinue reading “RKS Travel and Wine: TAP Portugal Airlines Has its 750 mL Wine Bottles Crying”

RKS 2023 Wine: An Arinto from Pico Island in the Azores

Being in Pico Island lately I was lodged at the Azores Wine Company’s winery. Hipster heaven! Modern showcase winery, tasting room, great views of vineyards, volcanic mountains and lots of staff sporting a multitude of tattoos. Rather an opposite of, pardon me, an authentic Pico Island Winery. At Azores Wine Company eating in the restaurant,Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: An Arinto from Pico Island in the Azores”

RKS 2023 Wine and Travel: Pico Islander’s Maxim “Plant Your Vines Where You Can Hear the Crabs Singing”

On Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores  there is an old maxim with grape producers, “Plant your vines where you hear the crabs singing.” Why? Pico Island is blessed with a temperate climate being an island in the Atlantic ocean benefitting from a maritime climate. But Pico Island is really a volcanic mountain itself. AndContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine and Travel: Pico Islander’s Maxim “Plant Your Vines Where You Can Hear the Crabs Singing””

RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko from Greece

Aroma: Blackberry, cassis, black cherry and blueberry in a somewhat stiff format. Palate: The tannins creep up on you with this wine. The fruit is there but wound up in a tight boundary giving the impression of either a young or stylistically austere wine. Almost a juicy streak of red cherries bubbling up threatening toContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko from Greece”

RKS 2023 Wine: Azores Wine Company Arinto dos Açores 2018

The grapes for this wine were planted in cracks in a lava bed at the foot of a volcanic mountain. The vineyards are planted close to the ocean so you can hear the crabs sing. The vines are protected by lava rock walls known as currais. Aroma: A tad funky but not unappealingly so. NotesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Azores Wine Company Arinto dos Açores 2018”

RKS 2023 Wine: Ilha do Pico Co-op Vitivinicola

The Ilha do Pico Co-op Vitivinicola was established in 1949 and has 250 associates with 51 local grape producers participating. It is the largest winery in the Portuguese Azores. 50% of its wines are consumed in the Azores and the rest exported to the United States, Canada and Europe. As any co-op purchasing grapes thereContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Ilha do Pico Co-op Vitivinicola”

RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: ,

Lucas Amaral may be the youngest winemaker in Portugal at least according to his proud mother Sandra. He started at 19 and now at 21 he is building up his profile. On my recent trip to Portugal a group of us had the opportunity to meet Lucas, have lunch and enjoy his wine. Lucas isContinue reading “RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: ,”