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?”
Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews
RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Up n Comer: Assyrtiko?
Greek white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape may be leading the charge for “the white wine” of Greece. Santorini with its volcanic terroir is the most famous producer of wines made from Assyrtiko but prices are high for these Santorini wines. Mega Spileo in the Achaia region of Greece produces a more affordable Assyrtiko.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Up n Comer: Assyrtiko?”
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: Zingari 2019 Toscana: Is There a Stranger in the Midst?
There are no shortages of grape varieties where Italian wine is concerned! I must admit though in this Zingari Tuscan IGT there is 25% Petit Verdot in addition to 25% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese and 25% Syrah. I can’t recall having Petit Verdot in an Italian red blend. Is it a stranger in the midst? ItContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Zingari 2019 Toscana: Is There a Stranger in the Midst?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Lisbon in the Red Wine Hunt
What we Torontonians see on the shelves of our provincial liquor monopoly from Portugal in terms of red wine is the Douro region leading the pack but the Alentejo and Lisbon are catching up but the poor Dão lags way back in the pack. As quality goes there is not much rhyme and reason forContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Lisbon in the Red Wine Hunt”
RKS 2023 Wine: Bachelder les Villages Gamay Noir
Having suffered through half a glass of a Tawse 2020 Grower’s Blend Gamay Noir it is now to a sure winner? A Bachelder les Villages 2020 Gamay Noir. Aroma: Geez! After an initial whiff of oak upon uncorking the aroma is seemingly more than what might expect from “largely neutral oak barrels” but it doesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Bachelder les Villages Gamay Noir”
RKS 2023 Wine: Colossal Reserva from Lisbon: Big Name but What Quality?
Red wines from the Lisbon appellation in Portugal are not timid about blending with Syrah, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon aside native indigenous varieties but all we can read on the label is that it is made from “typical grape varieties planted in the region”. A trip to the Casa Santos Lima website reveals the grapesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Colossal Reserva from Lisbon: Big Name but What Quality?”
RKS 2023 Wine: Alyan A&A 2017 Carménère from Chile
The Alyan A&A 2017 Carménère from Chile is produced in the Maule Valley, Chile’s largest viticultural area yet one of the most geographically and climatically diverse encompassing the Andes to the east, the sunny plains throughout the central corridor and the rolling coastal hills to the west which makes it possible for both red andContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Alyan A&A 2017 Carménère from Chile”
RKS 2023 Wine: Ho Hum Pinot Noir from Ontario’s South Islands
When it is a question of Canadian Pinot Noir my favourites are from British Columbia’s Okanagan. Smooth, elegant, soft and just perfect with salmon. Ontario Pinot Noirs? More of a hit and miss proposition. Pelee Island is always a fun place to visit even if you do not like wine. Pelee Island Winery produces someContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Ho Hum Pinot Noir from Ontario’s South Islands”
RKS 2023 Wine: Better Pinot Noir for Less? Chile? A Darling of the Medical Profession?
I am a wine writer from the other side of the tracks! A retired and impoverished old codger. I even had lunch in a suburban restaurant 36 kilometres from Toronto! There wasn’t an orthodontist in sight! Actually, the food was excellent as was the conversation with a veteran wine writer friend! There are no wineriesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Better Pinot Noir for Less? Chile? A Darling of the Medical Profession?”
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