On Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores there is an old maxim with grape producers, “Plant your vines where you hear the crabs singing.” Why? Pico Island is blessed with a temperate climate being an island in the Atlantic ocean benefitting from a maritime climate. But Pico Island is really a volcanic mountain itself. AndContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine and Travel: Pico Islander’s Maxim “Plant Your Vines Where You Can Hear the Crabs Singing””
Tag Archives: Robert K. Stephen
RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko from Greece
Aroma: Blackberry, cassis, black cherry and blueberry in a somewhat stiff format. Palate: The tannins creep up on you with this wine. The fruit is there but wound up in a tight boundary giving the impression of either a young or stylistically austere wine. Almost a juicy streak of red cherries bubbling up threatening toContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko from Greece”
RKS 2023 Wine: Azores Wine Company Arinto dos Açores 2018
The grapes for this wine were planted in cracks in a lava bed at the foot of a volcanic mountain. The vineyards are planted close to the ocean so you can hear the crabs sing. The vines are protected by lava rock walls known as currais. Aroma: A tad funky but not unappealingly so. NotesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Azores Wine Company Arinto dos Açores 2018”
RKS 2023 Wine: Ilha do Pico Co-op Vitivinicola
The Ilha do Pico Co-op Vitivinicola was established in 1949 and has 250 associates with 51 local grape producers participating. It is the largest winery in the Portuguese Azores. 50% of its wines are consumed in the Azores and the rest exported to the United States, Canada and Europe. As any co-op purchasing grapes thereContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Ilha do Pico Co-op Vitivinicola”
RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: Pico’s Museu do Vinho (Wine Museum)
The Pico Museum consists of three separate museums on the island of Pico in the Azores of Portugal. There is the Whaler’s Museum, the Wine Museum and the Whaling Industry Museum. Oh yes whaling and wine say much about the history of Pico Island. Wine has played an important part in the Pico Island cultureContinue reading “RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: Pico’s Museu do Vinho (Wine Museum)”
RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: ,
Lucas Amaral may be the youngest winemaker in Portugal at least according to his proud mother Sandra. He started at 19 and now at 21 he is building up his profile. On my recent trip to Portugal a group of us had the opportunity to meet Lucas, have lunch and enjoy his wine. Lucas isContinue reading “RKS 2023 Travel and Wine: ,”
RKS 2023 Travel: One of Those Absolutely Memorable Evenings: Adega Czar in Pico Island in the Azores!
Matters were not proceeding particularly well for many in my group of 10 that were now sitting in Adega Czar at 9940-363 São Roque do Pico in the Azores Islands of Portugal. An aborted landing and mega delays to get to Pico Island. Late nights, early mornings and some 7 flights in 4 days. AndContinue reading “RKS 2023 Travel: One of Those Absolutely Memorable Evenings: Adega Czar in Pico Island in the Azores!”
RKS 2023 Wine: Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco
Prosecco with a crown cap and a swivel stopper. Retro cool! Organic too! Any good? Aroma: Simplistic right on green apple, Flemish pear, honey and pineapple. Palate: Much softer and fruitier than an equivalent priced Crémant. Less acids too! Personality: I am not in your face scouring your palate like a Brillo Pad. You couldContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco”
RKS 2023 Travel: My Name is Wolfgang Volk! Living in a Different Portuguese Dimension
Our group of 10 meandered into our hotel Senhora da Rosa Tradition & Nature Hotel in Ponta Delgado. It has been a long day, the day of the aborted landing at Ponta Delgado Airport. It is past midnight and we have an early morning pick up for our flight to PICO Island. We have aContinue reading “RKS 2023 Travel: My Name is Wolfgang Volk! Living in a Different Portuguese Dimension”
RKS Travel 2023: Portuguese Groundhog Day: A Bit of Terror in the Sky and Plenty of Boredom Down Below: SATA Air Azores
Part of being invited to attend Wine and Travel Week in Porto this February included a three day side trip to the Azores, Portuguese Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a bit over two hours as the crow flies but it was not a crow I was flying on but an Air Azores A321Continue reading “RKS Travel 2023: Portuguese Groundhog Day: A Bit of Terror in the Sky and Plenty of Boredom Down Below: SATA Air Azores”
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