Chile is driving for a sustainable wine identity and this wine bucks that trend by not being sustainable but not playing the “party line” does not mean it should be put on a Stalinist show trial. Argentina has its wine identity anchored in Malbec and it could be Chile’s is with Carménère. It originated inContinue reading “RKS Wine: Wines of Chile: Dagaz Carménère: A Case of Mistaken Grape Identity”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS Wine: Visiting the Man with the Big Head’s Winery
While staying at The Woodbourne Inn in St. Davids in the Niagara region in early November I expressed some reluctance to visit Chateau de Charmes winery a 5-minute drive away due to its Disneyland appearance and its less than stellar wines. It also has room for tourist buses! My friends at the Woodbourne Inn suggestedContinue reading “RKS Wine: Visiting the Man with the Big Head’s Winery”
RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2020 Cabernet Franc Dolomite
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”
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?”
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