While Malbec may be Argentina’s signature wine Carménère may be Chile’s although why peg a country having a signature wine? It just might create stereotypes. Look at New Zealand’s “signature wine” Sauvignon Blanc. Yet should it eclipse Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Merlot from New Zealand? What I can say so far this yearContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Can’t Go Wrong Carménère from Chile?”
Tag Archives: RKS 2023 Wine
RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle
Aroma: Rich blasts of black fruit predominate especially blackberry. Palate: Rich on the nose rich on the palate. Again blackberry plays the leading role. The finish is of moderate length. Tannins are just above smooth. Personality: Simply being “rich” and full bodied is not enough. I have identifiable black fruit. In other words I notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Washington State Syrah from Chateau Ste Michelle”
RKS 2023 Wine: Terras de Lava from Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores
Less than two weeks ago I was sitting in the tasting room of the Cooperativa Vitivinicola da Ilha do Pico in Madalena on Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores. There were 10 of us in the group all participating in Wine and Travel Week based in Porto. 8 were tour operators and two of usContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Terras de Lava from Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores”
RKS 2023 Wine: Porto Memories: Sagrado Reserva
I have a boatload of Porto memories all good and many lighthearted. I have been somewhat of a regular visitor there since 2014. One very pleasant memory is attending Port Wine Day in Porto pre COVID and having a memorable lunch with José Maria Cálem proprietor of Quinta Sagrado in the Douro region of Portugal.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Porto Memories: Sagrado Reserva”
RKS 2023 Wine: Are You Hunkering for a Hungarian?
Are we beggars here in Ontario at the mercy of state monopoly Liquor Control Board of Ontario? A dearth of Eastern European wines. I suppose the money trail leads to California, Italy and France. Eastern Europe is too risky. God help us if Polish Pinot Noir floods the market! The LCBO gods throw us, theContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Are You Hunkering for a Hungarian?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Tourism and Algarve Wines
Tourism in Portugal’s Algarve has had both a negative and positive effect on Algarve wineries. Being initially a “sun and beach” destination ramping up in the 1970s the rush for profits and the development of the Algarvian economy focused on sun and beach! Build, build and build more and who cared if vineyard land wasContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Tourism and Algarve Wines”
RKS 2023 Wine: Drinking Prohibited Wine in The Azores: Apologies and Gifts from the Portuguese Government
It was another windy and overcast day on Pico Island. I see why the vines are protected by those carrais i.e. lava rock enclosures. So I am savouring my toasted cornbread with a conger eel omelette for breakfast. My friend Fortunato Garcia knows my passion for conger eel so he had brought over some niceContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Drinking Prohibited Wine in The Azores: Apologies and Gifts from the Portuguese Government”
RKS 2023 Wine: “The Wines of the Algarve”: Escaping the Sun and Sea Conundrum
I attended the Wine and Tourism Week in late February in Porto, Portugal. The direction seemingly taken by many exhibitors was to move away from promoting wine and broaden it to encompass not only wine but culture and heritage, leisure activities and gastronomic experiences therefore giving a broader definition of wine tourism. Wine is notContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: “The Wines of the Algarve”: Escaping the Sun and Sea Conundrum”
RKS 2023 Wine: Portugal Charging Ahead with Wine and Tourism Strategy
I was invited to apply to attend the first Wine and Travel Week in Porto from 20-26 February 2023. There were sessions on wine and food, mega lunches featuring Portuguese seafood and meat prepared by Portugal’s leading chefs. There was an awards ceremony for tourism which due to administrative error and clerical lack of discretionContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Portugal Charging Ahead with Wine and Tourism Strategy”
RKS 2023 Wine: António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite: An Alentejo Classic?
Red wines from Portugal’s Alentejo region often nip at the heels of red wines from Portugal’s Douro region. António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite is up there with some of the best reds from the Douro. It is a blend of Alicante Bouschet (27%), Aragonez (25%), Castelăo (14%), Tricanderia (14%), Alfrochiero (12%) and 8 % ofContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: António Maçanita’s 2020 Reserva Palpite: An Alentejo Classic?”
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