Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews – Page 29 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Wine: A Couple of 92’s from Spain

Imagine as a wine producer no wine reviewer picks up your wine. Well that’s not so bad if your wine is good. Favourable news travels by word of mouth. If you receive a negative review distributors want to keep that off the radar. If you get a 90 plus it is as if you haveContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Couple of 92’s from Spain”

RKS Wine: Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July

All living souls in Canada and the United States have been through a difficult and frustrating time with COVID-19. There hasn’t been much optimism this year with wave after wave and dire threats and a ceaseless stream of propaganda from a politico medico elite funded by our tax dollars. But it would seem finally thatContinue reading “RKS Wine: Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July”

RKS Wine: Mastroberardino’s Irpina Aglianico 2018

Perhaps one of Campania’s best-known wineries what think I of their 2018 Aglianico? On the nose I am transported to the Greater Naples area of Italy with black cherry, cherry liqueur, blackberry and smells from the Bay of Naples. The aromas are high toned as if they are floating about in a rocket beam toContinue reading “RKS Wine: Mastroberardino’s Irpina Aglianico 2018”

Viognier: In a Class All by its Own or in a Blend: A Gewurztraminer on Sedatives?

Viognier reminds me of, peach, apricots and honey all in a full bodied but not sweet wine. Yes you can find some in Ontario and in British Columbia in Canada with better success in British Columbia. You will find perhaps the best Viognier in Condrieu in the Rhône in France but Australia’s Yalumba Winery producesContinue reading “Viognier: In a Class All by its Own or in a Blend: A Gewurztraminer on Sedatives?”

Eradus 2020 Sauvignon Blanc From New Zealand

I remember having dinner with Michiel Eradus in Toronto a few years ago and heard many a good story about New Zealand. There is no better public relations than meeting and breaking bread with winery owners, vineyard managers and their marketing people. I will never forget that dinner with Michiel and of course will neverContinue reading “Eradus 2020 Sauvignon Blanc From New Zealand”

No Trophy Pinot Noirs For Me: Part 2

Wrapping up our brief foray into what many call the heartbreak grape due to its thin skin and susceptibility to frost damage otherwise known as the Pinot Noir grape. This one is a Wakefield Pinot Noir from Adelaide Hills. It has a light ruby colour. As for aromatics a bit of a classic Pinot NoirContinue reading “No Trophy Pinot Noirs For Me: Part 2”

Mastroberardino’s Falanghina del Sannio 2018

Having been on a private tour with winemaker, Antonio Capone, from Mastroberardino of several Mastroberardino vineyards in Vesuvius in the Greater Naples area I doubt I will ever forget their name. On occasion we receive a smattering of their wines at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). The latest is a Falanghina Del SannioContinue reading “Mastroberardino’s Falanghina del Sannio 2018”

No Trophy Pinot Noirs For Me: Part 1

Burgundy is simply the best for Pinot Noir for those whose fat wallets are willing to drop a bundle of cash for trophy wines. Not being a captain of industry, cardiologist, neurologist or a lottery winner my budget is limited. So laugh away fat cats as I try a $17.95 Rock Point Pinot Noir 2018.Continue reading “No Trophy Pinot Noirs For Me: Part 1”

Romanian Wine: Alira 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

So what new wine wave is going to hit North America? Could it be wines from Romania? Why not. Romanians have been making wines far longer than Canada although its dreary Communist years certainly did not help their wine industry. But with the execution of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989 it was good-bye communism and perhapsContinue reading “Romanian Wine: Alira 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon”

This time it is to Celebrate What? Why Not This Moment? Some French Crémants

Often we pop open some Champagne to celebrate an occasion. You may say there is nothing to celebrate in these COVID times. So many deaths, suicides, episodes of mental illness and deprivation of personal liberty. Go ahead and take the negative track. However being a student and practitioner of mindfulness why not celebrate the momentContinue reading “This time it is to Celebrate What? Why Not This Moment? Some French Crémants”