Tag Archives: RKS 2023 Wine

RKS 2023 Wine: A Cab Franc from Quai du Vin in St. Thomas Ontario

Cabernet Franc is Ontario’s top red wine. Putting my mouth where my money is or is it putting my money where my mouth is? The Sparta Moraine isn’t exactly crammed with wineries just cornfields and a lonely Quai du Vin. What can Quai du Vin do with Cab Franc? Aroma: Ah yes those bright andContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: A Cab Franc from Quai du Vin in St. Thomas Ontario”

RKS 2023 Wine: Cornfield After Cornfield: Then Quai du Vin Estate Winery in St. Thomas

While taking a bit of R&R in Port Stanley, Ontario I discover Quai du Vin Estate Winery in St. Thomas, Ontario quite near to the tiny town of Sparta. Yes there is signage to direct you there but don’t expect any concentration of wineries on Fruit Ridge Line. Instead you’ll see cornfields galore and damnContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Cornfield After Cornfield: Then Quai du Vin Estate Winery in St. Thomas”

RKS 2023 Wine: No Need to be Spooked by Bordeaux! The Branson Burger!

Yes, wines from Bordeaux can be enormously expensive beyond the purse strings of those who have to count their pesos. And they can be enormously complicated with classification, left bank, right bank, first growths and on and on. But there are many small producers offering wines at yes “bargain prices”. The EU is drowning inContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: No Need to be Spooked by Bordeaux! The Branson Burger!”

RKS 2023 Wine: Another Try of Pinot Noir from Ontario

Hoping not to be stoned to death by Ontario Pinot Noir fundamentalists as far as Canadian Pinot Noir goes it takes a back seat to British Columbia, particularly the Okanagan. But refusing to shut doors we venture on to a Magnotta 2017 Limited Edition Pinot Noir from Niagara. Aroma: Not one of those light, elegantContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Another Try of Pinot Noir from Ontario”

RKS 2023 Wine: Wallet Friendly Fizz: Prosecco

I suspect many of my readers enjoy a glass of Champagne every once and awhile. Many I know see a bottle of sparkling wine and erroneously call it Champagne. I used to cringe hearing this but saw no use going into a fuller description of how Champagne is made and that it must be madeContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Wallet Friendly Fizz: Prosecco”

RKS 2023 Wine: Stag’s Hollow Tragically Vidal: Can They Elevate the Vacuous Vidal?

Stag’s Hollow in British Columbia has shown it can do wonders with Vidal. Much is grown in Ontario primarily for ice-wine. As a table wine it is about equally uninspiring as Muscat. Cloying without personality. Wine snobs might point to Vidal as a lowly French Hybrid grown in marginal wine climes. I am no suchContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Stag’s Hollow Tragically Vidal: Can They Elevate the Vacuous Vidal?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Is Ontario Chardonnay Any Good?

Chardonnay from Ontario can compete globally with any country’s Chardonnay. The same goes for British Columbia Chardonnay by the way. Let’s try an Ontario Chardonnay from 13th Street Winery called June’s Chardonnay. It is unoaked. 350 cases were made. Aroma: Many a Chardonnay has aromatics of apple and pear but this Chardonnay is positively tropicalContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Is Ontario Chardonnay Any Good?”

RKS 2023 Wine: South Africa Can Do It All!

Red, white, sweet and sparkling wine which South Africa can do and some very well. We try a Graham Beck Brut made in the traditional method i.e. the way that Champagne is made. It is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Aroma: Peach, apricot, wet stone and Challah Bread. Palate: Classic Champagne “bite”. Peach,Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: South Africa Can Do It All!”

RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Chardonnay From Itata Valley

Chilean Chardonnay encountered this year has been less than impressive. Before writing it off it deserves a couple more chances. We try a Pandolfi Price Larkün 2018 Chardonnay from Chile’s Valle Del Itata. The Itata Valley is Chile’s oldest viticultural region which has been producing wine for more than 450 years. Its abundant rainfall andContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Chilean Chardonnay From Itata Valley”

RKS 2023 Wine: Boschendal 2020 Chardonnay from South Africa

Boschendal makes a very good Chenin Blanc so what can it do with a Chardonnay? Aroma: Apple, pear, mango, guava and a smattering of pineapple. Palate: There was some oak maturation of the wine but there are no flagrant oak notes on the palate or on the nose. Fair to say the oak does “beefContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Boschendal 2020 Chardonnay from South Africa”