Wine – Page 61 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Wine: Argentinian Well Knowns

The Catena family has been making wines in Argentina for over 100 years so you’d assume they know something about wine. Longevity does not equate with quality though. Let’s check out their Alamos Selección 2018 Malbec from Mendoza in Argentina. On the nose this black cherry purplish colored wine is rich and dense. It isContinue reading “RKS Wine: Argentinian Well Knowns”

RKS Wine: Portugal Comes on Strong in 2022 Tastings

I can’t recall encountering a Portuguese dud in 2022. And the best wine so far is not from the Douro but from Beira Interior. Alentejano wines are proving to be solid wines at more than reasonable prices. We try a 2019 Coutada Velha Signature 2019 which is a Vinho Regional Alentejano. There is some CabernetContinue reading “RKS Wine: Portugal Comes on Strong in 2022 Tastings”

RKS Wine: Wine from Alentejano in Portugal

There has been an increasing number of wines coming our way in Canada from the Alentejano Region in Portugal. They have all been red wines. The Monte da Ravasqueira is a blend of Trincadeira, Aragonez, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. As for aromatics there is some black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and some spice. On the palateContinue reading “RKS Wine: Wine from Alentejano in Portugal”

RKS Wine: Gambling with Ontario Gamay? They Have Lost at the Craps Table With This One!

In the province of Ontario most wineries do a good job with Gamay. Some wineries like Malivoire do an excellent job. What can Di Profio accomplish with Gamay? Or should I say what can 180 Estate Winery do with Gamay? I visited the Di Profio website and when you check out the wines you areContinue reading “RKS Wine: Gambling with Ontario Gamay? They Have Lost at the Craps Table With This One!”

RKS Wine: The Great Viognier Search

For Canadian wine drinkers say “Viognier” and you might receive a blank look. That’s too bad as it can make a great wine and an ideal companion for crustaceans. It matches well with simply prepared lobster, crab and shrimp. There aren’t great quantities of it produced in Canada. The most recent Canadian Viognier I encounteredContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Great Viognier Search”

RKS Wine: A California Cabernet Sauvignon on Training Wheels!

There are LCBO Vintages consultants that know their stuff and can be trusted. Some can’t thinking the LCBO knows how to select wine and who are you to question the big monopoly. One trusted Vintages consultant suggested Long Barn Cabernet Sauvignon as an entry level Cabernet Sauvignon with a “California” designation which means that 100%Continue reading “RKS Wine: A California Cabernet Sauvignon on Training Wheels!”

RKS Wine: Harken 2019 California Chardonnay: Does Pineapple Upside Down Cake Still Exist?

I tend to avoid oaked California Chardonnays because often they are throwbacks to when California oaked Chardonnays were overoaked. Before I became more discerning than I am now the novelty of a Wente Oaked Chardonnay was compelling but after a few more bottles and a Yellowtail Southeastern Australian oaked Chardonnay the novelty wore off. OakContinue reading “RKS Wine: Harken 2019 California Chardonnay: Does Pineapple Upside Down Cake Still Exist?”

RKS Wine: Last Bottle Standing

While at a Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) outlet I noticed a lonely bottle of Domaine Lafage 2019 on the shelf which was blessed by a knowledgeable LCBO Vintages consultant who had not tried the 2019 vintage but had tried previous vintages to his delight. I am always willing to take advice from aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Last Bottle Standing”

RKS Wine: The 97 Point Challenge: La Causa from Chile: Exile Me to Algeria for Rehabilitation

Some may run like lemmings for those wines scored in the mid to high 90’s especially if they are affordable. When I see a wine that is in this range I take up the challenge to see what the hype is about unless of course it is rated by Mr. Sky High Luca Maroni. InContinue reading “RKS Wine: The 97 Point Challenge: La Causa from Chile: Exile Me to Algeria for Rehabilitation”

RKS Wine: Massive Overstock of Liano 2018 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon

Considering this wine from Emilia-Romagna has been out in Vintages at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario for almost a year and there are still over 13,000 bottles of it in LCBO stores it might be fair to say it is not moving all that well. Could it be indicative of poor quality or overbuyingContinue reading “RKS Wine: Massive Overstock of Liano 2018 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon”