Matters were not proceeding particularly well for many in my group of 10 that were now sitting in Adega Czar at 9940-363 São Roque do Pico in the Azores Islands of Portugal. An aborted landing and mega delays to get to Pico Island. Late nights, early mornings and some 7 flights in 4 days. AndContinue reading “RKS 2023 Travel: One of Those Absolutely Memorable Evenings: Adega Czar in Pico Island in the Azores!”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS 2023 Wine: Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco
Prosecco with a crown cap and a swivel stopper. Retro cool! Organic too! Any good? Aroma: Simplistic right on green apple, Flemish pear, honey and pineapple. Palate: Much softer and fruitier than an equivalent priced Crémant. Less acids too! Personality: I am not in your face scouring your palate like a Brillo Pad. You couldContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco”
RKS 2023 Food: Sardine Rehab
On my trips to Porto you might say I mainline on the tasty grilled sardines served up at Alexandre Osorio’s Postigo do Carvão right by the river in the historic Ribeira District of Porto. I have been sardining there for years. I mean the starters are great, like the octopus salad and the cod fritters.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Food: Sardine Rehab”
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?”
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