Category Archives: Wine

RKS 2025 Wine: A Graciano from Spain’s Navarra Appellation

Graciano is a spicy aromatic, intensely flavoured grape and is less tannic than Tempranillo and tends to oxidize easily. It is not capable of ageing for any extended period. It prefers cool clay-chalk soils and mild damp climates and dislikes drought and intense summer heat. We try an Agramont Graciano from the Navarra appellation inContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: A Graciano from Spain’s Navarra Appellation”

RKS 2025 Wine: Back to Toronto and “Fancy” Sicilian Wine: Planeta’s 2020 Controdanza

Having spent two weeks in Sicily in May very little wine was consumed. My agenda was tourism this time and not wine tourism. The best wine I had in Sicily?  Small batch Primitivo produced in the countryside proximate to the archaeological site of Villa Romana del Casale served with lunch in large jugs sourced fromContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Back to Toronto and “Fancy” Sicilian Wine: Planeta’s 2020 Controdanza”

RKS 2025 Wine: Mencía a Pinot Noir on Steroids?

One of my favourite descriptors of a grape is attributable to Matt Kramer of the Wine Spectator many years back when he stated the Mencía grape reminded him of Pinot Noir on steroids. Whether that descriptor is correct is less relevant than the descriptor itself! You will find Mencía in Northwestern Spain and in theContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Mencía a Pinot Noir on Steroids?”

RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: A Red Assemblage from Ferox Estate Winery in Niagara, Ontario

A blend of Zweigelt (53%), Merlot (18%), Syrah (15%), Malbec (8%) and Cabernet Franc (6%) from 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Each component was aged in neutral French oak barriques (225L) for a minimum of 2 years before élevage, assemblage, filtration and bottling. Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and cassis all rather dense and heady.Continue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: A Red Assemblage from Ferox Estate Winery in Niagara, Ontario”

RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Wending Home Syrah-Merlot

If you are going to “make it” with Syrah and Merlot in Ontario generous oak treatment and pristine quality grapes are required. This is a single vineyard dual variety wine that has spent thirty months in used French oak. 50% each of Syrah and Merlot. Aroma: Definite Merlot on the nose not lush and plushContinue reading “RKS 2025 Canadian Wine: Wending Home Syrah-Merlot”

RKS 2025 Wine: A Nero Carbone from Basilicata in Italy

The Carbone family, based in Melfi near Mount Vulture in the heart of Basilicata, values their unique terroir which is rich in volcanic soil. Situated on the slopes of the ancient volcano, their vineyards benefit from an ideal aspect. Coupled with an optimal microclimate that’s marked by significant temperature variations, this setting imbues Aglianico withContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: A Nero Carbone from Basilicata in Italy”

RKS 2025 Wine: Monsaraz Reserva 2022 From Portugal’s Alentejo

Monsaraz is a brand from CARMIM a Portuguese co-operative founded in 1971 by a group of 60 wine grape growers in the Alentejo which has grown to close to 800 growers cultivating over 3,000 hectares. CARMIM is the largest winery in the Alentejo and exports wine to 34 countries. This wine is 50% Alicante Bouschet,Continue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Monsaraz Reserva 2022 From Portugal’s Alentejo”

RKS Wine Tourism: A State of Mind Trumps Cold “Scientific” Logic

In Southern Sicily on 13May2025 we visited the Villa Romana Del Casale, home of some of the most superb Roman mosaics in the world recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The villa was constructed by a prominent Roman aristocrat between the third and fourth centuries. This large countryside villa represented the height of luxury.Continue reading “RKS Wine Tourism: A State of Mind Trumps Cold “Scientific” Logic”

RKS 2025 Wine: Firriato 2023 Etna Bianco

This wine was purchased and reviewed in Taormina, Sicily on May 2025. Aroma: Lemon, lime, coal, licorice, anis and pineapple. Palate: Licorice, white pepper, charcoal and honeydew melon. Well integrated acidity. Silky and smooth with a slight jolt of a peppery finish. Personality: I am grown in volcanic soil hence my charcoal and coal characteristics.Continue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Firriato 2023 Etna Bianco”

RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Losing Patience with Marynissen: Not Charmed by This Charmed Rosé

John Marynissen might be categorized as a Niagara wine legend but he’s long gone and at last account the winery is in the hands of a Chinese investors, I think. The winery website states the winery was sold in 2012 but for some reason (wonder why) fails to reveal the identity of the purchaser(s). Whatever,Continue reading “RKS 2025 CANADIAN Wine: Losing Patience with Marynissen: Not Charmed by This Charmed Rosé”