A rare Bulgarian wine makes an appearance made from the Mavrud grape. Mavrud doesn’t have a stellar reputation but when properly subject to oak ageing it makes a solid simple wine. This wine was aged in barrels crafted by a cooper at the winery. Lots of raspberry and cherry on the nose. There is alsoContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Mavrud from Bulgaria”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS Wine: Creative Label but What About the Taste?
When it is about wine labels and names for wine the Aussies lead the pack. You might want to think of it as a marketing strategy for Australian wines. No matter how fantastic your wine is if it does not sell what does the public care about a winemaker’s passion for the wine they haveContinue reading “RKS Wine: Creative Label but What About the Taste?”
RKS Wine: The Life of Portugal’s Runner Up!
As for Portuguese wines on the California centric shelves of Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s the big guy is the Douro and in a somewhat distant second place but gaining ground are the wines from Alentejano. We try a Monte Velho from the Alentejano a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional and Syrah. On theContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Life of Portugal’s Runner Up!”
RKS Wine: Château Joinin as Château Pipeau’s Younger Brother
It is the Mestreguilhem family that vints both Château Joinin and Château Pipeau. Château Pipeau St. Émilion Grand Cru as it sits on the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s shelves is $43.95. The Château Joinin a simple 2019 AC Bordeaux is a humble $14.95 but the 2018 I tried certainly must be a top ofContinue reading “RKS Wine: Château Joinin as Château Pipeau’s Younger Brother”
RKS Wine: Hairy Brute Wine from Spain
The red wine El Goru from Jumilla in Spain has a caveman on its label. Artistically done of course. It is a blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Petit Verdot none of which can be referred to as primal. On the nose while not a snarling cave man attacking you with a club the wine hasContinue reading “RKS Wine: Hairy Brute Wine from Spain”
RKS Wine: A Couple of Borsao Wines from Campo de Borja
Robert Parker wrote in 2016, “My favourite value winery not only in Spain, but in the world, is Bodegas Borsao in the up-and-coming appellation of Campo de Borja.” Well that was 6 years ago and no doubt he has found a new favourite value winery since then. Such is the life of wine where nothingContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Couple of Borsao Wines from Campo de Borja”
RKS Wine: Portugal’s Delaforce 2015 Touriga Nacional
Exaggerating somewhat the red grape Touriga Nacional for Portugal is the equivalent of what apple pie is for the United States! Unfortunately I mention this grape to non-wine professionals and I receive blank stares except from Port drinkers who are always familiar with this grape of the Holy Grail. From what I have seen andContinue reading “RKS Wine: Portugal’s Delaforce 2015 Touriga Nacional”
RKS Wine: Quinta do Bom Retiro in The Douro: Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed!
If my memory serves me correct I flew to Porto from Toronto in November 2014 on my very first European media tour. I was travelling with B a writer freelancing for a major Canadian newspaper. From the airport we were picked by our driver Mr. Antonio and guide L from the Instituto dos Vinhos doContinue reading “RKS Wine: Quinta do Bom Retiro in The Douro: Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed!”
RKS Wine: Wineflation: Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon: Management Discussion with Analysts
Many wine aficionados literally run to the LCBO for highly rated wine. It is a game to snatch a winner before others beat you to it. In this case it is a Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from Argentina rated a 97 by Decanter Magazine. When I see a score like this I thinkContinue reading “RKS Wine: Wineflation: Los Clop Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon: Management Discussion with Analysts”
RKS Wine: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s leaning post 2021 Rosé
The leaning post 2021 Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir. The nose presents watermelon, raspberry, strawberry and field tomato. A very summery greeting to the nose. The palate is energetic and enthusiastic like some toddler dancing to “Baby Shark”. But giving that simile a nudge, this is no flippant candy cane Rosé. It is a veryContinue reading “RKS Wine: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s leaning post 2021 Rosé”
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