Cat’s Pee is supposedly a common reference to Sauvignon Blanc. PP does not like this reference as he is biased against Sauvignon Blanc as the subject of some commoner stampede. Yes I’ll agree it is overmarketed to the extent it will lead to its downfall in New Zealand. There are some excellent producers of itContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner Does Not Drink Cat’s Pee”
Category Archives: Wine
RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner Is Such A Prig Sometimes: Puglian Primitivo
At one point PP tells me he is excited about us trying the cheapest wines for what gems he might discover. Yet when I tell him I am trying a Primitivo from Puglia he says he is not interested in junk from Southern Italy. I tell him to ease up with his snobbery and heContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner Is Such A Prig Sometimes: Puglian Primitivo”
RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner’s Blowout Christmas Parties of Yesteryear
PP told me recently his small 25 lawyer Toronto Bay Street law firm used to hold a blowout Christmas Party primarily designed for support staff and articling students who were given the 24th off to put them in a celebratory mood for the party that night. PP says we held it over the years atContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner’s Blowout Christmas Parties of Yesteryear”
RKS Wine: The Lure That Attracts the Fish? Rousanne and Viognier?
As a wine writer swimming in a school of wine reviewers the reality is that every wine bottled can’t be reviewed. But this fish likes the Viognier grape on its lonesome and in a blend. It tends to give white wine a noticeable presence with apricots, tangerines and honey. Of course, if you do notContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Lure That Attracts the Fish? Rousanne and Viognier?”
RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner, Tuscan Wine and Bernie Madoff Golf Balls
When PP had dough he wasn’t shy on parting with it to purchase to classified Chiantis and the Super Tuscans. Despite their fantastic quality and high prices the Super Tuscan’s did not adhere to Italian appellation laws so they were categorized as ordinary table wine. While appellation rules protect quality they can stunt innovation. ThisContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner, Tuscan Wine and Bernie Madoff Golf Balls”
RKS Wine: Did I Hear The Penniless Pensioner Snicker? A White from Languedoc
I could swear I heard PP snicker when I suggested we try a white wine from Languedoc in Southern France. I started getting a lecture about how this area was a huge wine lake providing wine for the working class of Paris and most likely even cheapened by the addition of Algerian wine but PPContinue reading “RKS Wine: Did I Hear The Penniless Pensioner Snicker? A White from Languedoc”
Lambrusco’s Comeback: Labrusca Lini 910 Disappoints
Maligned for many years as cheap Italian fizz Lambrusco is making a comeback in the past few years. Is it because we are seeing more of it in Canada or has quality dramatically improved? That is a difficult question as we see so little Lambrusco who knows the reality. But the rare bottle that driftsContinue reading “Lambrusco’s Comeback: Labrusca Lini 910 Disappoints”
RKS Wine: Equilibrio 4 and the Penniless Pensioner Tries to Regain His Equilibrium
PP has had it rough. The good life with gorgeous women, fancy cars, a luxurious penthouse condominium, exotic travel and very costly wines. Then that costly association with Bernie Madoff that resulted in criminal charges which were later dropped but PP spent his fortune on a crack legal team to defend him. He called meContinue reading “RKS Wine: Equilibrio 4 and the Penniless Pensioner Tries to Regain His Equilibrium”
A Couple of Aglianicos From Campania: Stuck in the Tyranny of 89 Point Wines
Aglianico might well be one of Campania’s signature red grapes. Ontario receives very little Campanian wine. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario prefers other Italian wine regions particularly Tuscany. Aglianico was brought from Greece to Italy by the Phoenicians. In fact Aglianico is the corruption of the Italian word for Hellenic “Ellenico”. Our first AglianicoContinue reading “A Couple of Aglianicos From Campania: Stuck in the Tyranny of 89 Point Wines”
RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner Falls for the Rating Game and the Label
PP wanted me to try, on my own nickel may I add, a Réserve de La Roncière Cuvée Traditionelle Côtes du Rhône. PP is excited as he saw a little seal on the bottle saying the esteemed James Suckling rated this $15.95 wine a robust 90 points. I pointed out to PP Suckling is aContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Penniless Pensioner Falls for the Rating Game and the Label”
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