Wines of Ontario – Page 3 – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS 2023 Wine: Featherstone’s Pinkie Pinot Grigio

When I use “Pinkie” I am not referring to a socialist wine but rather the color of the 2022 Featherstone Pinot Grigio. Featherstone arguably makes Niagara’s best rosé but what can they do with Pinot Grigio? Aroma: Tangerine, peach, apricot and rose Turkish Delight. Palate: This is about as full bodied one could expect forContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Featherstone’s Pinkie Pinot Grigio”

RKS 2023 Wine: Bachelder les Villages Gamay Noir

Having suffered through half a glass of a Tawse 2020 Grower’s Blend Gamay Noir it is now to a sure winner? A Bachelder les Villages 2020 Gamay Noir. Aroma: Geez! After an initial whiff of oak upon uncorking the aroma is seemingly more than what might expect from “largely neutral oak barrels” but it doesContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Bachelder les Villages Gamay Noir”

RKS 2023 Wine: Ontario Tawse’s Grower’s Blend 2020 Gamay Noir: Swimming with the Fishes

If there is one red wine in Ontario that causes some excitement on my part in Ontario it is Gamay Noir. For the most part it is reliable but not quite at the point of Cabernet Franc for universal excellence but it is at the edge of that. So we try a Tawse 2020 GamayContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Ontario Tawse’s Grower’s Blend 2020 Gamay Noir: Swimming with the Fishes”

RKS 2023 Wine: Ho Hum Pinot Noir from Ontario’s South Islands

When it is a question of Canadian Pinot Noir my favourites are from British Columbia’s Okanagan. Smooth, elegant, soft and just perfect with salmon. Ontario Pinot Noirs? More of a hit and miss proposition. Pelee Island is always a fun place to visit even if you do not like wine. Pelee Island Winery produces someContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Ho Hum Pinot Noir from Ontario’s South Islands”

RKS Wine: Best Red Wines of 2022

Quinta dos Termos 2017 Beira Interior DOC, $13.95: Portugal 94 Mayhem 2019 Cabernet Merlot, B.C. VQA, $21.74: British Columbia 94 Two Sisters 2015 Cabernet Franc, VQA Niagara River, $75.80: Ontario 94 Viña Chocolan Vitrium 2019 Red Blend, Vale del Maipo: $25.95: Chile 94 Alamos Seleccion 2018 Malbec, Mendoza: $16,95: Argentina 94 Viña Tarapacá Gran ReservaContinue reading “RKS Wine: Best Red Wines of 2022”

RKS Wine: Red Wines with Roast Turkey?

Yes, you can pair red wine with roast turkey with or without cranberry sauce being on the side. While a white wine might shrivel with cranberry sauce anywhere near it a red wine just might co-exist with cranberry sauce better than a white wine would. But full-bodied red wines such as a Zinfandel or CabernetContinue reading “RKS Wine: Red Wines with Roast Turkey?”

RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2019 Estate Chardonnay

When it comes to readily available white table wine from Niagara, Riesling and Chardonnay rule the roost. I have a challenging time with Ontario Rieslings for a multitude of reasons but not so with Chardonnay. Cave Spring was kind enough to send me a bottle of their 2019 Estate Chardonnay for review just before aContinue reading “RKS Wine: Cave Spring 2019 Estate Chardonnay”

RKS Wine: Malivoire 2020 Estate Grown Chardonnay

This light gold wine grabs your nose right off the bat with a unique bit of spiciness and ginger. I emphasize “a bit” because it does not detract one from the baked apple with cinnamon and brown sugar, the pear, the mango and the pineapple. Positively tropical old man! On the palate it strikes oneContinue reading “RKS Wine: Malivoire 2020 Estate Grown Chardonnay”

RKS Wine: Marynissen Estates: Two Strikes And You Are Out

How generous should you be before calling a winery out? My view is two strikeouts and that winery is out or if you are more forgiving perhaps on probation. I have called a strikeout on Marynissen’s 2019 Cabernet Franc giving that tired and anemic wine a 64/100. What will the 2019 Cabernet Merlot bring? ConsideringContinue reading “RKS Wine: Marynissen Estates: Two Strikes And You Are Out”

RKS Wines: Peller Estates 2018 Meritage

While in Niagara-on-the-Lake last week I tried a Peller Estates 2019 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Ontario Cabernet Sauvignon limps rather badly except perhaps those from Lake Erie North Shore. The Peller Cabernet Sauvignon was virtually lifeless and lacking character. I suppose you can say this proves my point. Now how about the Peller Estates 2018Continue reading “RKS Wines: Peller Estates 2018 Meritage”