Category Archives: Wine

RKS Wine: California Cabernet Sauvignon: Is This the Real Thing?

One might look at a bottle of California Cabernet Sauvignon and see the winery is located in Sonoma or Napa home to some high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. But look at the label closely and it may not refer to a specific American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California but state “California Cabernet Sauvignon” which means by lawContinue reading “RKS Wine: California Cabernet Sauvignon: Is This the Real Thing?”

RKS Wine : Meyer Family Vineyards 2020 Tribute Series Chardonnay – Terry Threlfall

For the past few years Meyer Family Vineyards (MFV) in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley has released a tribute Chardonnay. This time it is a tribute to the late Terry Threlfall a Vancouver born sommelier operating at the time of his death in London. He was 43 when he passed in 2020. The 2020 Chardonnay vintageContinue reading “RKS Wine : Meyer Family Vineyards 2020 Tribute Series Chardonnay – Terry Threlfall”

RKS Wine: The Forgotten Home of Malbec and Don’t Toss Those Green Tomatoes!

Mention the grape Malbec and the rubberneckers will be gawking at Argentina ignoring that Malbec began its journey from its home in Cahors in Southwest France to Argentina in the 1830’s. Argentina gets most of the praise for Malbec and it is rare that one encounters a Malbec from Cahors. In the Malbec game theContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Forgotten Home of Malbec and Don’t Toss Those Green Tomatoes!”

RKS Wine: Chasing the Lower Priced Bordeaux

Bordeaux wines can be a rich man’s game. You pay a pile of dough for the “first growths” which if you are made of money go ahead. Are some of these wines in the $1,000 range worth it or is the purchaser a billionaire thinking the more you pay the higher the quality? Part ofContinue reading “RKS Wine: Chasing the Lower Priced Bordeaux”

RKS Wines: Should Portugal’s Douro Be Looking Over Its Shoulder to the Surging Alentejano?

In terms of the volume of Portuguese wines coming into Canada the Douro, leads the pack. The Douro produces top quality wines but since the grapes used in their winemaking are largely indigenous one might say their excellence is predictable. On the other hand the region in second place, Alentejano, produces excellent wines as wellContinue reading “RKS Wines: Should Portugal’s Douro Be Looking Over Its Shoulder to the Surging Alentejano?”

RKS Wine: Crasto A Classic Douro Red

I will admit I have a soft spot for Quinta do Crasto perched above the Douro River in Portugal. Going out in the fields and trying grapes on the vine and then trying to trace them in the wine. Eating lunch with the field workers which you often do as a journalist visiting a quintaContinue reading “RKS Wine: Crasto A Classic Douro Red”

RKS Wine: 2020 Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Vineyard Chardonnay

In terms of Canadian wine from where I sit Ontario is touted as a wonderful “Cold Climate” Chardonnay producer. While I would not call the Okanagan in British Columbia “cold climate” I would say guys muscle into any claims that Ontario makes a superior Chardonnay. The Okanagan Chards I have tasted can kick butt toContinue reading “RKS Wine: 2020 Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Road Vineyard Chardonnay”

RKS Wine: Can Meyer Family Vineyard’s 2020 Pinot Noir Cure My Golf Myopia?

November golf in Toronto can be very trying. Frozen fingers and runny noses. Shivers and a sense of quiet desperation to end the year in a blaze of glory like the fall leaves. I think I am up to 35 games starting in frigid April, through a sweltering July and August and now back inContinue reading “RKS Wine: Can Meyer Family Vineyard’s 2020 Pinot Noir Cure My Golf Myopia?”

RKS Wine: Can We Be Friends with the Okanagan’s Frind?

As far as Okanagan, British Columbia wineries go they seem to be able to do no wrong. But the day will come one day! Until then all of us should enjoy the wines produced from these stellar wineries. Yes we have covered Crescent Hill, Oak Bay, St. Hubertis, Stag’s Hollow, Meyer Family Vineyards and MayhemContinue reading “RKS Wine: Can We Be Friends with the Okanagan’s Frind?”

Passage of the Day from the Late Rebecca Wasserman-Hone Credited With Putting Burgundy Wines on the Map in America

“A wine is not to be discussed, it is to be drunk and give happiness and joy and a nice feeling to people. Sounds of appreciation are weightier than words. We grade by ‘oohs’ and ‘mmms’, six being the ultimate accolade.”