The last of the Cave Spring wine tasted on my recent trip to St. Davids Ontario was at their airy newly opened tasting room in Beamsville, Ontario. Apparently it is where the more serious wine crowd shows up including wine writers. It is bright and airy with lots of glass and great vistas of vineyards.Continue reading “RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2020 Cabernet Franc Dolomite”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS Wine: What Are the Strategic Pillars of the Chilean Wine Industry?
After attending Drink Chile Toronto 2022 on November 8, 2022 it became apparent what are the strategic pillars of the Chilean wine industry. Chile perceives its agro-climatic conditions make the country a vitivincultural paradise and one of its greatest strengths. Its 18 distinct wine regions extending 1,400 kms from north to south are influenced byContinue reading “RKS Wine: What Are the Strategic Pillars of the Chilean Wine Industry?”
RKS Wine: Porthead Report: Kopke LBV 2015 Port
It has been a beautiful day walking my ageing West Highland Terrier Dylan at an off-leash park. November and it is 18 degrees. No winter coat but a light sweater. This is Douro weather and not Torontonian weather so how fitting to try a wee bit of Port after priming my testbeds with Baldersons four-year-oldContinue reading “RKS Wine: Porthead Report: Kopke LBV 2015 Port”
RKS Wine: Nyarai Cellars 2020 Field Blender’s White
Nyarai Cellars 2020 Field Blender’s White is a blend of Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay Musqué, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Gewurztraminer. It has the composition to be an easy drinking and simple wine. 106 cases were made by virtual winemaker Steve Byfield who uses the facilities of West Avenue Cider House in Freelton, Ontario to vint hisContinue reading “RKS Wine: Nyarai Cellars 2020 Field Blender’s White”
RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2020 Dolomite Pinot Noir: A Psychiatric Analysis
While in beautiful Beamsville last week I managed to stop in at Cave Spring’s new tasting facility. Very bright with lots of light steaming in and a marvelous view of vineyards through a wall of glass. It was quiet so there were no distractions except of course the blazing gold on the vines. Pinot NoirContinue reading “RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2020 Dolomite Pinot Noir: A Psychiatric Analysis”
RKS Wine: Drink Chile Toronto 2022: Where is Chile Heading?
After an almost three-year hiatus from in person wine exhibitions it was to Drink Chile 2022 Toronto at the Arcadian Court in downtown Toronto. I was in with the media at 1-4 and the general public followed from 6:30-9:00. It was sponsored by Wines of Chile and Prochile. So where does Chile think it isContinue reading “RKS Wine: Drink Chile Toronto 2022: Where is Chile Heading?”
RKS Wine: Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery’s “House of Nations”
Located in St Davids Ontario just a wee bit up from the corner of Four Mile Creek Road and York Road lies Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery. The tasting room is located in an historic building known locally as the House of Nations and officially as Woodruff House. It was originally built by David Secord inContinue reading “RKS Wine: Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery’s “House of Nations””
RKS Wine: Is Gamay on the Comeback Trail in Ontario?
Gamay was hot a decade ago in Ontario full of promise and hope but as “fads” go they can fade. Gamay seemed to fade but in the past few years it would appear to be gaining steam. Cave Spring Vineyards is well known internationally for its Rieslings that receive generous ratings in the Wine SpectatorContinue reading “RKS Wine: Is Gamay on the Comeback Trail in Ontario?”
RKS Wine: Urban Blight Hits Niagara!
You drive around the Niagara region enjoying the sights and perhaps the wineries. In early November gold blazes creating quite a spectacular sight. What is not so spectacular are the housing developments popping up in the last few years like out-of-control Baco Noir grapes. Yes there is lots of open air with orchards, vineyards andContinue reading “RKS Wine: Urban Blight Hits Niagara!”
RKS Wine: Niagara Red Blends: Nyarai Cellars Soars Above the Mundane
In Niagara to review an inn and some restaurants this month I managed to speak with a few people in the wine trade and it was empowering to hear they agreed with a fundamental point I have with Niagara red blends. In Niagara Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are almost best retired as incapable of makingContinue reading “RKS Wine: Niagara Red Blends: Nyarai Cellars Soars Above the Mundane”
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