Robert K. Stephen Wine reviews – Page 6 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS Wines: A Greek Alternative to Ice Wine

In Ontario Riesling and Vidal icewines, particularly Riesling icewine, can cost a pretty penny but given the conditions harvested in and the very concentrated juice extracted from frozen grapes it is understandable that icewine is a luxury product. A cost effective and delicious alternative to icewine is Vin Doux from the Greek island of SamosContinue reading “RKS Wines: A Greek Alternative to Ice Wine”

RKS Wines: What Wine to Bring for that Holiday Dinner You Have Been Invited to?

Assume you have been invited out for a holiday dinner to a family member or friend’s house. It is customary to bring some libations unless you are an ill-mannered lout. Remember that your host has gone to a great deal of expense and effort in preparing the dinner. So what do you bring? The holidayContinue reading “RKS Wines: What Wine to Bring for that Holiday Dinner You Have Been Invited to?”

RKS Wine: Some CAVA Please to Start Your Feast This Christmas or New Year’s Eve

If you have a multi course dinner awaiting you this upcoming holiday season there is an adage that your palate should be cleaned up and fresh so you can appreciate your festive dinner. This is where a Brut or Extra Brut sparkling wine can be of use as its acidic composition scours the palate ofContinue reading “RKS Wine: Some CAVA Please to Start Your Feast This Christmas or New Year’s Eve”

RKS Wine: Flapping Around on the Wild Side with Roast Turkey: Lambrusco!

Lambrusco’s reputation was in the crapper for many years as overproduction and lack of quality control kicked Lambrusco in the head. But it is trying to mount a comeback over the past few years. We see so little of it here in Ontario but what I have tasted in the last 5 years has beenContinue reading “RKS Wine: Flapping Around on the Wild Side with Roast Turkey: Lambrusco!”

RKS Wine: Canadian Pinot Noir: Westcott 2018 Pinot Noir VQA Vinemount Ridge

The centre of excellence for Canadian Pinot Noir in my humble opinion would be the Okanagan in British Columbia with highwater producers such as Meyer Family Vineyards, Mayhem Wines and Oak Bay. Ontario is a bit inconsistent in the Pinot Noir domain but there is Clos Jordanne that is consistently good. I have given upContinue reading “RKS Wine: Canadian Pinot Noir: Westcott 2018 Pinot Noir VQA Vinemount Ridge”

RKS Wines: Tawse 2019 Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling

Quite literally Ontario Riesling leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But what happens when Ontario Riesling is used to make a sparkling wine. Could that be the Great Riesling Hope for Ontario? The Jerry Quarry of the Ontario Riesling boxing ring? I suppose we should have Tawse speak for itself. The label and theContinue reading “RKS Wines: Tawse 2019 Spark Limestone Ridge Riesling”

RKS Wine: Wine in a Can: Malivoire Lady Bug Rosé

Malivoire was kind enough to send me a few cans of Lady Bug Rosé. Yes, I said “cans”. Wine in a can is not something to suffer anxiety from however a few years ago when wine in a can was even more novel than it is now a producer sent me three different types ofContinue reading “RKS Wine: Wine in a Can: Malivoire Lady Bug Rosé”

RKS Wine: Perez Cruz 2019 Limited Edition Cabernet Franc

The Perez Cruz 2019 Limited Edition Cabernet Franc was fermented in stainless steel and aged 14 months in oak. Cabernet Franc is one of Ontario’s signature grapes so is Chile muscling in on Ontario’s territory? Upon opening the bottle the aroma of the wine exudes some barnyard which in small amounts can add charm butContinue reading “RKS Wine: Perez Cruz 2019 Limited Edition Cabernet Franc”

RKS Wine: Malivoire’s 2020 Old Vines Foch

Once upon a time in Ontario and British Columbia there was a grape called Maréchal Foch a French hybrid grape. It made common wine and, in an era, when Canadians did not appreciate or know Vitis vinifera grapes they drank it. As tastes changed and the Canadian palate became more “sophisticated” Maréchal Foch grapes wereContinue reading “RKS Wine: Malivoire’s 2020 Old Vines Foch”

RKS Wine: Malivoire Analog Demo Series 2021 Gamay and Cabernet Franc

Somewhat like a West Highland terrier busily digging in the garden for goodness knows what Malivoire is busily digging about in the Gamay wine world experimenting with discovering Ontario’s Gamays. I think at present they have 8 different Gamays in the bottle. It would be interesting to line them all up for a tasting butContinue reading “RKS Wine: Malivoire Analog Demo Series 2021 Gamay and Cabernet Franc”