RKS 2023 Wine: Porto Memories: Sagrado Reserva

I have a boatload of Porto memories all good and many lighthearted. I have been somewhat of a regular visitor there since 2014. One very pleasant memory is attending Port Wine Day in Porto pre COVID and having a memorable lunch with José Maria Cálem proprietor of Quinta Sagrado in the Douro region of Portugal.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Porto Memories: Sagrado Reserva”

RKS Wine: Quinta do Bom Retiro in The Douro: Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed!

If my memory serves me correct I flew to Porto from Toronto in November 2014 on my very first European media tour. I was travelling with B a writer freelancing for a major Canadian newspaper. From the airport we were picked by our driver Mr. Antonio and guide L from the Instituto dos Vinhos doContinue reading “RKS Wine: Quinta do Bom Retiro in The Douro: Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed!”

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 Wines: Quadrus Red 2015 from the Douro

You have some of your usual suspects in the Douro grape department. 55% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz and 15% Sousão. The colour of the wine verges on purple which may be the result of the dark juiced Sousão. As for aromas there is an overall creaminess to the nose which is brimming with livelyContinue reading “RKS Wines: Quadrus Red 2015 from the Douro”

RKS Wines: Some Portuguese Wines to Finish Off the Year: Part 1: Vinho do Bispado

After just about finishing off an intensive virtual tasting of Ports from the Douro it might be time to come back to earth and finish off the year with some Portuguese table wines. While there is no real competition to Port there is plenty of competition raging against Portuguese table wines. The Douro produces someContinue reading “RKS Wines: Some Portuguese Wines to Finish Off the Year: Part 1: Vinho do Bispado”

RKS Wine: Portugal’s Quinta da Rede: “The Douro Got Talent”

Can we expect yet another solid red wine from Portugal’s Douro Valley? Based on their track record with me over the years I am nodding my head up and down. We try a Quinta da Rede 2017 Reserva. The nose shouts out “full bodied”! Rich black cherry, blackberry, blueberry at times touched with a floralContinue reading “RKS Wine: Portugal’s Quinta da Rede: “The Douro Got Talent””