In New Zealand Pinot Gris plays second fiddle to Sauvignon Blanc. In Argentina Bonarda plays second fiddle to Malbec. Don’t confuse volume of exports as the beacon for quality. Both Bonarda and Pinot Gris have their strong points but are they being trampled by retail stampedes (perhaps right over the cliff)? Location of vineyard isContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Bonarda A Second Fiddle to Malbec? Break Free from Malbec Hegemony!”
Tag Archives: red-wine
RKS 2024 Wine: Casa Dea 2017 Amore: The Mystery Wine: A Bit Sloppy on the Marketing but The Taste?? Did Mommy or Daddy Have an Affair?
There is nothing on the label of the 2017 Amore from Casa Dea Estates Winery indicating what grape is in the bottle. The label states “Amore is a lush, blended red wine”. A blend means more than one grape. Trying to solve the puzzle I visit the Casa Dea website and the bottle shown forContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Casa Dea 2017 Amore: The Mystery Wine: A Bit Sloppy on the Marketing but The Taste?? Did Mommy or Daddy Have an Affair?”
RKS 2024 Wine: No Indigenous Greek Grapes Here
Unfortunately, in Ontario we receive only a small amount of Greek red wine and that which has flowed our way on the retail shelves of our state liquor monopoly fails to impress much of it Xinomavro if not aged sufficiently can be unpleasantly tannic. I was piqued when I saw this Dyo Elies from theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: No Indigenous Greek Grapes Here”
RKS 2024 Wine: The Great Ontario Merlot Redemption Meets Dale Carnegie
Merlot as a single varietal wine has a bleak future in Ontario. But blend it with Ontario wunderkid Cabernet Franc and lackluster Cabernet Sauvignon and you can consistently have a great Ontario Meritage in both Niagara and Lake Erie North Shore. Sometimes the sum can outshine some of the parts. For example, the Queen BeeContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: The Great Ontario Merlot Redemption Meets Dale Carnegie”
RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot and a Glutton for Punishment
As a single varietal Ontario Merlot rarely shines. Jazz it up with lots of oak then it just might work. But being a glutton for punishment I try yet another Ontario Merlot. You know that priest in the DaVinci Code that self flagellates well that might be akin to me drinking a good Ontario Merlot.Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot and a Glutton for Punishment”
RKS 2024 Wine: Chilean Wines a Flash in the Pan? Nationalism Losing to The Wallet?
In terms of price and quality here in Canada Chilean red wines rule the roost. I await export statistics as to both volume and monetary value for 2023. In the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages 6January2024 release there are 5 Chilean reds and they are all under $20. There are a paltry 3 CanadianContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Chilean Wines a Flash in the Pan? Nationalism Losing to The Wallet?”
RKS 2024 Wine: Do You Believe in the Score? Farmer’s Leap Random Shot 2020 Shiraz’s 96
Retailers of wine love to display over 89 wines that will capture the consumer’s eye. Yes, every once and awhile my name pops up on the shelves or in a magazine advertising the wine. Take or leave it as to scores. My advice is to find a reviewer you are consistently in agreement with andContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Do You Believe in the Score? Farmer’s Leap Random Shot 2020 Shiraz’s 96”
RKS 2023 Wine: An Outstanding Ontario Merlot: To Dream The Impossible Dream?
As for outstanding Ontario Merlot about the only one that turns my crank is Merlot from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Two Sisters but not being a cardiologist or a captain of industry can you afford $57.80 for a bottle of their Merlot? Ontario Merlot may be suitable for blending but then is blending with a less than stellarContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: An Outstanding Ontario Merlot: To Dream The Impossible Dream?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Trius Red “The Icon”: The Strong Man and The Two 99 Pound Weaklings
I think there won’t be much hooting and booing when I say Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aren’t exactly two of Ontario’s great grapes unless under the cover of “terroir” you bless their weakness by stating they have a distinct Ontario imparted quality to them. Bah Humbug says me the Wine Scrooge. On the other handContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Trius Red “The Icon”: The Strong Man and The Two 99 Pound Weaklings”
RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko From Nemea in Greece
Nemea is a wine producing region in the Peloponnese. This Driopi Agiorgitiko is from Nemea. Agiorgitiko has medium to deep ruby colour, dense ripe red-fruit character and sweet spices that lead towards a soft almost velvety palate with finely textured tannins, medium to full body and medium high alcohol. It can handle oak very well,Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko From Nemea in Greece”
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