Tag Archives: wine-tasting

RKS 2024 Wine: Hostage to Cali Cabernet Sauvignons

In Canada in terms of American Cabernet Sauvignon we are hostage to California Cabernet Sauvignons. I am sure Texas produces some notable Cabernet Sauvignons but timid buyers for our state liquor monopoly the Liquor Control Board of Ontario would rather sell their mother than look to Texas or 48 other states for American wine. MyContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Hostage to Cali Cabernet Sauvignons”

RKS 2024 Wine: Chilean/Argentinian Slugfest: Argentinian Thin Man Pinot Noir

On our higher end retail shelves for quality wine Chile and Argentina are duking it out for the moderately priced wine championship. Chile is undercutting Argentina pricewise and possibly quality wise. Writers from jamessuckling.com seeming to be playing both sides and with their inflated ratings rest assured they receive lots of print in our VintagesContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Chilean/Argentinian Slugfest: Argentinian Thin Man Pinot Noir”

RKS 2024 Wine: Bonarda A Second Fiddle to Malbec? Break Free from Malbec Hegemony!

In New Zealand Pinot Gris plays second fiddle to Sauvignon Blanc. In Argentina Bonarda plays second fiddle to Malbec. Don’t confuse volume of exports as the beacon for quality. Both Bonarda and Pinot Gris have their strong points but are they being trampled by retail stampedes (perhaps right over the cliff)? Location of vineyard isContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Bonarda A Second Fiddle to Malbec? Break Free from Malbec Hegemony!”

RKS 2024 Wine: Deep Purple “Smoke on the Water”

Wildfires rage on in Chile today. The urban area most affected would seem to be Viña del Mar a coastal resort city on the Pacific northwest of Valparaiso. Over 100 people have perished and hundreds are missing. It is too early to determine damage to viticulture but one should remember while fire is a threatContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Deep Purple “Smoke on the Water””

RKS 2024 Wine: Château Castagnac from Fronsac

Fronsac, think Bordeaux. Think red wine. Think Merlot. Think of possible luxury at a discount price. We try a Château Castagnac from a good year in Bordeaux, 2020. It is Merlot and aged one year in French oak. The grapes were grown in a three-hectare herbicide free vineyard in clay-limestone soil near the town ofContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Château Castagnac from Fronsac”

RKS 2024 Wine: An Alternative to Sauvignon Blanc: Entre-Deux-Mers? Apologies to My English Teacher

Sauvignon Blanc on a personal preference level for white wine sits at the bottom of the pile. It has a certain intensity that has me skittering away from it. While I can discern a good and bland Sauvignon Blanc even the good ones I’ll restrict to professional and not personal consumption. Entre-Deux-Mers will have SauvignonContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: An Alternative to Sauvignon Blanc: Entre-Deux-Mers? Apologies to My English Teacher”

RKS 2024 Wine: Casa Dea 2017 Amore: The Mystery Wine: A Bit Sloppy on the Marketing but The Taste?? Did Mommy or Daddy Have an Affair?

There is nothing on the label of the 2017 Amore from Casa Dea Estates Winery indicating what grape is in the bottle. The label states “Amore is a lush, blended red wine”. A blend means more than one grape. Trying to solve the puzzle I visit the Casa Dea website and the bottle shown forContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Casa Dea 2017 Amore: The Mystery Wine: A Bit Sloppy on the Marketing but The Taste?? Did Mommy or Daddy Have an Affair?”

RKS 2024 Wine: No Indigenous Greek Grapes Here

Unfortunately, in Ontario we receive only a small amount of Greek red wine and that which has flowed our way on the retail shelves of our state liquor monopoly fails to impress much of it Xinomavro if not aged sufficiently can be unpleasantly tannic.  I was piqued when I saw this Dyo Elies from theContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: No Indigenous Greek Grapes Here”

RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot and a Glutton for Punishment

As a single varietal Ontario Merlot rarely shines. Jazz it up with lots of oak then it just might work. But being a glutton for punishment I try yet another Ontario Merlot. You know that priest in the DaVinci Code that self flagellates well that might be akin to me drinking a good Ontario Merlot.Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Ontario Merlot and a Glutton for Punishment”

RKS 2024 Wine: Chilean Wines a Flash in the Pan? Nationalism Losing to The Wallet?

In terms of price and quality here in Canada Chilean red wines rule the roost. I await export statistics as to both volume and monetary value for 2023. In the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages 6January2024 release there are 5 Chilean reds and they are all under $20. There are a paltry 3 CanadianContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Chilean Wines a Flash in the Pan? Nationalism Losing to The Wallet?”