Wine – Page 53 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Wine: Stratus Wildass 2019 Merlot: Giving Ontario Merlot Another Chance

In the past few years I have given up on Ontario Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as a single varietal wine. Could it be that Ontario doesn’t have the terroir and climate for these two grapes? However earlier this year I spent a few days at Niagara-on-the-Lake and discovered a Two Sisters Merlot that impressed atContinue reading “RKS Wine: Stratus Wildass 2019 Merlot: Giving Ontario Merlot Another Chance”

RKS Wine: The Return of the Penniless Pensioner and the Tirana Tigress in Albania

After months of radio silence, I received a Facetime call from the Penniless Pensioner from the capital of Albania, the glistening Tirana. We chatted like it was yesterday! His last love affair with the Russian Svetlana crumbled rather quickly after her yacht was confiscated in Montenegro. Apparently her yacht was stolen from Crimea when theContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Return of the Penniless Pensioner and the Tirana Tigress in Albania”

RKS Wine: Château de la Chapelle Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2018

The wine is a blend of Merlot (85%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). As for aromatics blackberry rules supreme. To a lesser extent blueberries, black cherry, root beer and a bit of lavender. I am noticing an increasing streak of root beer in some high alcohol wines. This wine is 14%. On the palate the tanninsContinue reading “RKS Wine: Château de la Chapelle Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2018”

RKS Wine: Alentejano Wines Keep Charging Ahead

If we discuss Portuguese imports of wine to Canada the Douro leads the pack but over the past few years the wines of Alentejano are catching up. Let’s try Valcatrina from the Alentejano from well known producer Casa Santos Lima. Unfortunately, the label only states the wine is made from “typical grape varieties”. Hardly helpfulContinue reading “RKS Wine: Alentejano Wines Keep Charging Ahead”

RKS Wine: Washington Trio

1.Columbia Crest H3 Merlot 2018 ($20.95) 91/100 It is rather odd that in the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages Catalogue for the August 13, 2022 release JamesSuckling.com gives the wine a 90 rating in a review dated July 12, 2021 stating it should be consumed now which is one year after the LCBO putContinue reading “RKS Wine: Washington Trio”

RKS Wine: On the Search for a Star Ontario Viognier

Marsanne and Viognier are often companions in a blend creating a very unique stye of wine. Lots of tropical notes like mango and peach with pineapple. Viognier on its own is also or can be quite tasty. Here in Ontario countries of origin for Viognier would primarily be France and Australia. Does Ontario produce Viognier?Continue reading “RKS Wine: On the Search for a Star Ontario Viognier”

RKS Wine: Is This Bargain Basement Portuguese Wine Worth $12.95?

Price is not determinative when it comes to quality of a wine. I had a buddy over for dinner last Saturday. He was happily ebullient over a $90 Pinot Noir from Prince Edward County in Ontario. Knowing that I write about wine and have made several recommendations to him for wine purchases he looked atContinue reading “RKS Wine: Is This Bargain Basement Portuguese Wine Worth $12.95?”

RKS Wine: Bordeaux Wine Label: Who Kidnapped the “Château”?

If you prefer the wines of Bordeaux a common feature on their label is some Château in picture and in name. Who kidnaped the château on the front of this bottle? There is no château written and for pictorial representation perhaps it is there but so far in the distance. The wine is 100% Merlot.Continue reading “RKS Wine: Bordeaux Wine Label: Who Kidnapped the “Château”?”

RKS Wine: Red Bordeaux Trio

Be forewarned at 62 degrees Fahrenheit the wine is flabby so try to bring it down to 55 degrees which is what your refrigerated cellar temperature should be. The nose is primarily black fruit with some plum and mocha all sitting on a pool of kirsch. On the palate the tannins are soft but aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Red Bordeaux Trio”

RKS Wine: Ontario Sparklers A Trio

Produced by the tank method. On the nose loads of strawberry, raspberry with BC cherry. On the palate a nice acidic bite but more than a bite it also has fruit with a strong undercurrent, brief as it may be, of Niagara cherries that bring a tiny hit of sweetness before it snaps back intoContinue reading “RKS Wine: Ontario Sparklers A Trio”