The grapes for this cool climate wine were sourced from 15- to 20-year-old trellised vines in rich, deep and decomposed granite soils. Hand harvested from selected vineyard blocks and destemmed and crushed to stainless steel tanks. Maturation in French oak barrels (20% first fill and the balance in second and third fill). The wine maturedContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Spier South African Shiraz”
Tag Archives: RKS 2025 Wine
RKS 2025 Wine: From Portugal’s Dão Comes Cota 700 From Magnum Wines
I had the pleasure of visiting Magnum wines in Portugal a few years ago. A very commercial winery in comparison to most of the other Dão wineries I visited. I remember well the commercial Christmas cases and displays. So nontraditional for most of Portugal at the time. Good quality wines at different price points correspondingContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: From Portugal’s Dão Comes Cota 700 From Magnum Wines”
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 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 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 Wine: Agiorgitiko a Greek Munga Red From Zacharias
From Nemea in the Peloponnese a “oak aged” Agiorgitiko. Having been in Thessaloniki in November for the Thessaloniki 65th Annual Film Festival I found perhaps the best wine shop right by the main port buildings. The red wine leader on the shelves was Agiorgitiko and the same held true for supermarket and the smaller cornerContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Agiorgitiko a Greek Munga Red From Zacharias”
RKS 2025 Wine: Portuguese Wine at a Give Away Price: Guarda Rios
There aren’t many notable wines at $11.95 CDN these days in Canada although in Portugal at Pingo Doce or Jumbo hypermarchés there are many at that price. We try a Portuguese red Guarda Rios from the Alentejano region that is slowly crowding off Douro wines from the shelves in Ontario, based on price to valueContinue reading “RKS 2025 Wine: Portuguese Wine at a Give Away Price: Guarda Rios”
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