Category Archives: Wine

RKS Wine: Perez Cruz 2019 Limited Edition Cabernet Franc

The Perez Cruz 2019 Limited Edition Cabernet Franc was fermented in stainless steel and aged 14 months in oak. Cabernet Franc is one of Ontario’s signature grapes so is Chile muscling in on Ontario’s territory? Upon opening the bottle the aroma of the wine exudes some barnyard which in small amounts can add charm butContinue reading “RKS Wine: Perez Cruz 2019 Limited Edition Cabernet Franc”

RKS Wine: Perez Cruz Grenache 2020: This Will Be Chile’s Year: Scotty Beam Me Down to Chile!

There has been an astounding jump in the price of most wines of late here in Ontario. It could be due to the LCBO thinking it is the holiday season so people are willing to spend more being in the “festive spirit”. Are you feeling festive enough to spend $383.95 on a Dom Pérignon BrutContinue reading “RKS Wine: Perez Cruz Grenache 2020: This Will Be Chile’s Year: Scotty Beam Me Down to Chile!”

RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2019 Estate Chardonnay

When it comes to readily available white table wine from Niagara, Riesling and Chardonnay rule the roost. I have a challenging time with Ontario Rieslings for a multitude of reasons but not so with Chardonnay. Cave Spring was kind enough to send me a bottle of their 2019 Estate Chardonnay for review just before aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2019 Estate Chardonnay”

RKS Wine: Nyarai Cellars 2020 Folklore Sparkling Wine: Festive Tinged with Gratitude

Champagne producers have done an impeccable job making Champagne seemingly mandatory for celebrations. However, after chatting with Sharon Little the Director of Marketing and Promotions for Nyarai Cellars in St. Davids, Ontario she advised me that the wine was crafted in gratitude of the struggle, sacrifices and hardships endured by our ancestors. It is aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Nyarai Cellars 2020 Folklore Sparkling Wine: Festive Tinged with Gratitude”

RKS Wine: Malivoire Analog Demo Series 2021 Gamay and Cabernet Franc

Somewhat like a West Highland terrier busily digging in the garden for goodness knows what Malivoire is busily digging about in the Gamay wine world experimenting with discovering Ontario’s Gamays. I think at present they have 8 different Gamays in the bottle. It would be interesting to line them all up for a tasting butContinue reading “RKS Wine: Malivoire Analog Demo Series 2021 Gamay and Cabernet Franc”

RKS Wine: Wines of Chile: Dagaz Carménère: A Case of Mistaken Grape Identity

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”

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”