RKS Wine: The Douro’s Rede Reserva

A blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. The usual Douro red wine suspects as I like to say. But if any of them are arrested they’ll be acquitted of all charges based on good taste of course. Virtually purple in colour. Aromatics of a Douro winery at harvest time. Intense nose ofContinue reading “RKS Wine: The Douro’s Rede Reserva”

RKS Wine: Douro’s Uniqo

A blend of Touriga Nacional (50%), Touriga Franca (30%) and Tinta Roriz (20%). It has spent 18 months in French oak. On the nose this portrays itself as a very big wine with notes of Chambord, black cherry, fig jam and blackberry. On the palate the tannins are moderate with acids totally under control. TheContinue reading “RKS Wine: Douro’s Uniqo”

RKS Wine: Colossal Reserva from Lisboa: Gigantically Delicious?

Is the Colossal Reserva from Portugal’s Lisboa appellation gigantically delicious or disastrous? As there is Alicante Bouschet in the blend that’s almost always a good sign! On the nose black cherry, pomegranate and ripe raspberry. The tannins are moderate but generous to support up to three years of cellaring. Black cherry, cola with some raspberryContinue reading “RKS Wine: Colossal Reserva from Lisboa: Gigantically Delicious?”

RKS Wine: A Douro Delight? Prova Cega Sparks Demonstrations Against Canadian Wine Writer in Portugal!

Spoilt brats like me get so accustomed to consistent excellence of Douro reds from Portugal they often fail to become excited by them and instead nonchalantly assume excellence. Poor spoilt brat! What pressure on Douro winemakers to be held in such high esteem! I have had some knockouts at under $15 so money doesn’t necessarilyContinue reading “RKS Wine: A Douro Delight? Prova Cega Sparks Demonstrations Against Canadian Wine Writer in Portugal!”

RKS Wine: 2019 Alice Vieira de Souza: Another Douro Winner?

Quality control is the name of the game in Portugal’s Douro region perhaps due to the thoroughness of its “regulator” Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto (IVDP). I must say over the years there have been almost no corked or low-quality wines I have encountered from the Douro. And price can be deceptive.Continue reading “RKS Wine: 2019 Alice Vieira de Souza: Another Douro Winner?”

RKS Wine: Portugal Comes on Strong in 2022 Tastings

I can’t recall encountering a Portuguese dud in 2022. And the best wine so far is not from the Douro but from Beira Interior. Alentejano wines are proving to be solid wines at more than reasonable prices. We try a 2019 Coutada Velha Signature 2019 which is a Vinho Regional Alentejano. There is some CabernetContinue reading “RKS Wine: Portugal Comes on Strong in 2022 Tastings”

RKS Wine: Wine from Alentejano in Portugal

There has been an increasing number of wines coming our way in Canada from the Alentejano Region in Portugal.  They have all been red wines. The Monte da Ravasqueira is a blend of Trincadeira, Aragonez, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. As for aromatics there is some black cherry, raspberry, strawberry and some spice. On the palateContinue reading “RKS Wine: Wine from Alentejano in Portugal”

RKS Wine: Bargain Basement Cistus from Portugal’s Douro

If you follow Portuguese wines price is not necessarily linked to quality. You can score some ageable and high-quality wines under $15. And they keep sneaking into Ontario at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Yes one does like to support the local wine industry but given the low cost winners from Portugal do youContinue reading “RKS Wine: Bargain Basement Cistus from Portugal’s Douro”

RKS: A Rare Beira Wine from Portugal

Just south of the Dão wine region in Portugal you’ll find the Beira Interior Region. At best at the LCBO Vintages releases might feature a handful of wines from this region each year. Pity. The Quinta dos Termos is from the Beira Interior and is a blend of the usual Portuguese grape suspects namely TourigaContinue reading “RKS: A Rare Beira Wine from Portugal”

RKS Wine:  Portugal’s Alentejano Goes Beyond Indigenous and My Thoughts On A Corked Wine

In addition to Portuguese indigenous grapes Alentejano wines often throw into the blend some “international” grapes such as Syrah, Alicante Bouschet or Merlot.  For example the 2016 Flor de Maio has in its blend of Trincadeira and Aragonez some Syrah. It is garnet in color. As for aroma there is black cherry, ripe strawberry, chocolateContinue reading “RKS Wine:  Portugal’s Alentejano Goes Beyond Indigenous and My Thoughts On A Corked Wine”