Articles

Sístole – Maturana Tinta 2021

by  |  10-11-2023

When I first started encountering varietal Grenache wines in Rioja, I have to say, I wasn’t bowled over by a great many of them. It was often the case that they were from cooler point... more »
Photo by Dean Dubokovič

Talking about Pinot at Modri les Noirs 2023

by  |  08-11-2023

Dominatrix or master, whatever you want to call the relationship, when it comes to Pinot Noir, it's very one-sided as this finicky grape variety owns the winemaker--he or she never, ever owns it. While there... more »

The wines of DOC Rioja 2023 Part II & Viñedos Singulares

by  |  06-11-2023

Our modern life has become one that’s all about sequels and thus, here we arrive to what is Part II of the larger Rioja report from September. This comes paired with a new Tasting Report... more »
Photo courtesy of DO Valle de Güímar

The Tenerife fire, what comes next

by  |  03-11-2023

On 15 August, 2023, a massive forest fire started on the Canary Island of Tenerife and while now extinguished, the fire continued to burn for weeks after due to high winds causing flare ups. To... more »

Priorat in six vintages of Clos Abella

by  |  01-11-2023

A few weeks back, the DOQ Priorat winery, Marco Abella invited a few wine people to their premises just north of Porrera to celebrate a very high score received in an award competition for their... more »

Introducing the wines of Cisteller

by  |  30-10-2023

I’m certain that when Penedès’s Vi de Mas certification was released, many couldn’t believe that there were such things as “historic” farm estates or masies in Penedès. On a certain level, I can’t blame anyone... more »

Sable de Camargue is France’s newest appellation

by  |  27-10-2023

As of 18 October, 2023, France has a brand-new appellation, the AOC Sable de Camargue. This has been a lengthy quest for the domaines in the region, taking 14 years to finally get approval which... more »

Peralada and its century of wine

by  |  25-10-2023

While an exceedingly-historic winegrowing region with some 2,600 years of history, the modern DO Empordà came into existence in 1975 when beach tourism was reaching massive heights in the area from its beginnings back in... more »

Casa Gran del Siurana La Fredat 2020

by  |  23-10-2023

It’s very easy to make the case that Grenache is a fine, worldclass grape variety these days. Look no further than the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gredos, and of course, Priorat, if you want to taste... more »

A review of, “Blind Ambition”

by  |  20-10-2023

With the "World Blind Wine Tasting Championship" for 2023 having finished this past weekend, it makes for a perfect moment to write up the film, "Blind Ambition" which I recently viewed due to being a... more »