Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews – Page 11 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Wine: From the Terraced Vineyards of the Douro

The Douro River trip from Porto to Pinhão either on a ship or by rail is remarkably beautiful. One feature you see is terraced vineyards running up from the river. Mechanization is problematic given the steep slopes. This Lua Cheia red wine from the Douro was grown on terraced slopes. It has a black cherryContinue reading “RKS Wine: From the Terraced Vineyards of the Douro“

RKS Wine: A Red Wine Clunker from Tejo in Portugal: Memories of Mahatma Gandhi

When I saw this wine called Babu from the Tejo in Portugal it invoked memories of Gandhi. Gandhi had a nickname of Bapu which is so close to Babu. While not an exact match with Babu it is close enough to trigger a smile and toast to the great Indian statesman. The Portuguese set upContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Red Wine Clunker from Tejo in Portugal: Memories of Mahatma Gandhi”

RKS Wine: Mayhem’s 2021 Riesling

No I am not going to kvetch about Niagara Rieslings this time. Enough negative vibes in a world that has enough negativity in it. So can Mayhem take it up a notch and introduce some positivity into the Canadian wine world with its British Columbia Riesling? It has some aromatics that get my positive RieslingContinue reading “RKS Wine: Mayhem’s 2021 Riesling”

RKS Wine: Tavel Rosé

The Château d’Aqueria Tavel is dark pink. Take it up a notch or two and you would have red wine. It’s dark colour doesn’t surprise me considering it is from the Rhône. Rhône wines are seldom dainty. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Clairette. As far as aromatics go chock full of raspberry and strawberry.Continue reading “RKS Wine: Tavel Rosé”

RKS Wine: Dão Memories

My last media trip to a wine region was to the Dão in Portugal. You know those days prior to COVID. I must have visited over a dozen wineries all in beautiful settings. I think the star grape was Encruzado which makes a beguiling white wine. For what we see in Ontario the Douro leadsContinue reading “RKS Wine: Dão Memories”

RKS Wine: The Douro’s Rede Reserva

A blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. The usual Douro red wine suspects as I like to say. But if any of them are arrested they’ll be acquitted of all charges based on good taste of course. Virtually purple in colour. Aromatics of a Douro winery at harvest time. Intense nose ofContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Douro’s Rede Reserva”

RKS Wine: Louis Bernard Louis 2020 Côtes du Rhône-Villages

In Ontario you can find plenty of under $20 wines. How long that will last given the high cost of energy and supply chain issues is unknown. Wines from France’s Côtes du Rhône are most often reasonably priced and of good quality. We try the Louis Bernard Louis 2020 Côtes du Rhône-Villages. That almost overlyContinue reading “RKS Wine: Louis Bernard Louis 2020 Côtes du Rhône-Villages”

RKS Wine: Argentinian Malbec is King! Bonarda not Trailing by Much

In terms of red wine grape acreage in Argentina Malbec leads the way at 39%, Bonarda at 16% and Cabernet Sauvignon at 12%. 80% of Argentinian Bonarda is produced in Mendoza. Why not try some Bonarda La Posta Estela Armando? On the nose full of black fruit particularly blackberry. There are additional notes of milkContinue reading “RKS Wine: Argentinian Malbec is King! Bonarda not Trailing by Much“

RKS Wine: Douro’s Uniqo

A blend of Touriga Nacional (50%), Touriga Franca (30%) and Tinta Roriz (20%). It has spent 18 months in French oak. On the nose this portrays itself as a very big wine with notes of Chambord, black cherry, fig jam and blackberry. On the palate the tannins are moderate with acids totally under control. TheContinue reading “RKS Wine: Douro’s Uniqo”

“Travels to a Different Time ” : 12August1975: Zurich, Switzerland: Arrogant Not So Good-Looking French Girls

Birthday today as no longer a teenager. Was up in the farmhouse at 06:30 for fresh bread and homemade jam. My host gave me some Swiss coins. When the rain subsided off to the road and 4 lifts later in Zurich. Got a room near the train station for $8 but at least lots ofContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 12August1975: Zurich, Switzerland: Arrogant Not So Good-Looking French Girls”