Category Archives: Wine

RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner and The Russian Oligarch: Is There a Putin Lovechild Igor?

We haven’t heard much from the Penniless Pensioner in some time. He contacted me and apologized for not keeping in touch with me. He says he had taken up with a Russian oligarch Svetlana before “all this Ukraine crap”. Svetlana apparently made a fortune in vodka, oil and fentanyl and was staying in her TorontoContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner and The Russian Oligarch: Is There a Putin Lovechild Igor?”

RKS Wine: The Bordeaux River Keeps on Flowing

There is no shortage of Bordeaux reds flowing into Ontario at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. It is not a waterfall as the LCBO attempts to please all with a bit of this and a bit of that and none of many. At $19.95 there is a Château Tour Castillon from the Médoc whichContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Bordeaux River Keeps on Flowing”

RKS Wine: Argentinian Viognier?

We do not see much Argentinian Viognier here in Canada. Most of it comes from California and France. So is this Seral Viognier from Mendoza any good? The grapes are grown at an altitude of 1,300 metres in Tupungato, Mendoza. There is no oak involved just stainless steel. It has a very light gold colourContinue reading “RKS Wine: Argentinian Viognier?”

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?”