RKS 2023 Wine – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS 2023 Wine: Simple Vin de France Chardonnay with a Viognier Twist

This Novellum 2021 Chardonnay has an intriguing twist to it. Although 100% Chardonnay it has been aged on Viognier lees with a small proportion of oak ageing. You might want to think of lees as spent yeast cells sort of a goopy gook? Viognier is vastly different than Chardonnay being more perfumed and full ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Simple Vin de France Chardonnay with a Viognier Twist”

RKS 2023 Wine: Montepulciano D’Abruzzo: Italian Easy Drinker

Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is an easy come easy go red wine. If Montepulciano was a politician it would be pleasing everyone from kissing babies to visiting senior’s residences making a long list of promises. But it is a wine and not a politician yet it is easy going and likeable by many. A centrist wine ifContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Montepulciano D’Abruzzo: Italian Easy Drinker”

RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese

It is thought by many the top of the Greek Assyrtiko pyramid is the island of Santorini. But the price of Santorini Assyrtiko is beyond the budget of many. So we scale down the pyramid to an Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese. Aroma: Citrus, guava with a tiny streak of pineapple. Palate: Lemon, lemon curdContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Assyrtiko from the Peloponnese”

RKS 2023 Wine: Campanian Memories! A Campanian Aglianico

In 2019 I received an invitation from the Italian Trade Commission in Toronto for a June press trip to Naples. It was mostly wine but there was a trip for a few of us to Pompeii and a walking tour of Naples. What a way to fall in love with Naples and then extend myContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Campanian Memories! A Campanian Aglianico”

RKS 2023 Wine: The French Blush from Tavel! The Great Compromise

We have one of those darker pinkies which will reduce the anxiety of red wine drinkers not drinking red wine with this Rosé in their glass! Yet it might cause a fright to white wine drinkers. Is Tavel Rosé the Great Compromise? Aroma: A very large raspberry assault. And since the blend is Syrah, ClairetteContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: The French Blush from Tavel! The Great Compromise”

RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Shiraz

Yalumba makes an impeccable organic Viognier. Can they repeat that with their organic Shiraz? Aroma: Full of rich black fruit particularly blackberries and black plums. Palate: Initially the tannins present themselves as softies but increase, not greatly, in intensity. Blackberries, blueberries with a licorice twist. Considering the wine is from South Australia one might categorizeContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Shiraz”

RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Viognier: Gewurztraminer in Handcuffs?

Reasonably priced Viognier is difficult to find. One of the better “budget” Viogniers I have encountered is the Yalumba Y Series Viognier found in the general list of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) which sells for $15.40. And more often than not it is sold out. How does Yalumba’s 2021 organic Viognier fare?Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Yalumba Organic Viognier: Gewurztraminer in Handcuffs?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Massive Portuguese Producer José Maria da Fonseca’s Periquita 2020 Reserva

JMF was founded in 1834 and still sails on. The Periquita 2020 Reserva is 54% Castellan, 28% Touriga Nacional and 18% Touriga Franca. It is produced in the Setúbal Peninsula. Close to 1,000,000 bottles were produced. That’s a lot of wine. Can quality survive this volume? Aged 8 months in French and American oak. GrownContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Massive Portuguese Producer José Maria da Fonseca’s Periquita 2020 Reserva”

RKS 2023 Wine: Sick and Tired of Argentinian Malbec! Canaries in a Coal Mine?

In the past week alone I have heard two friends say they are sick and tired of Argentinian Malbec. Is this how the winemakers of Argentina are rewarded for a never-ending stream of excellent Malbec! Yes wine is a fickle business. The cure for Malbec fatigue is simply to drink it occasionally. These Malbec veteransContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Sick and Tired of Argentinian Malbec! Canaries in a Coal Mine?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely Disappoints

We try a Brigaldara Valpolicella Ripasso from Italy of course. Valpolicella rarely disappoints with an easy drinking personality. Mellow, smooth and warm perhaps is a good way of describing it. And to continue in non-technical terms choco cherry! 50% Corvina, 25% Corvinone and 25% Rondinella. What does this Ripasso mean? It derives from the verbContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Valpolicella Rarely Disappoints”