Articles
Bye bye Ah-So, we had a good run

Dealing with Diam, a healthy appetite for Ah-So?

by  |  16-05-2018

I’m not sure as to the total number of wine bottles I personally open each year but it’s to the tune of several thousand. When you’re dealing with anything on that scale, whether it be... more »

Continuum: How the Mondavis pressed on

by  |  14-05-2018

One of the grandest of sagas that took place in Napa Valley during the 20th century was the split between the original Mondavi brothers of Robert and Peter. Many a wine drinker will know the... more »

Tast del Decenni 2018: The DOQ Priorat 2008 vintage

by  |  11-05-2018

The 2008 vintage for DOQ Priorat was something of a crossing-the-Rubicon, come-to-Bacchus, everything-has-changed vintage. The wineries started the year coming off of one of their best vintages ever, 2007 (read more) and they ended the... more »
Old vines in the Mas de la Rosa vineyard

A Priorat tasting of Carignan without borders

by  |  02-05-2018

Fully booked! Sorry for those who couldn’t get in this time around! I have admittedly been a bit crazy about Carignan lately. It’s no wonder as I posted this large, “Grand Tasting of Carignan” from... more »

In The Glass: Jean Foillard – Morgon “Côte du Py” 2015

by  |  30-04-2018

The story of Rosé’s rise to fame and wanton debauchery for the general public isn’t something I’ve found terribly surprising. Well-made Rosé is excellent and favoring the Provençal style gives everyone splitting a bottles something... more »

Recuperating ancient grape varieties in Pla de Bages

by  |  25-04-2018

Over the last 15 years in Spain, there has been a heavy push to preserve old buildings using public funds that were otherwise crumbling into ruin and oblivion. Some might read this cynically as simply... more »

Natural wines in Catalunya

by  |  23-04-2018

For some reason, the “Ides of April” have become the time to write about “natural” wines in most any publication. I have no proper idea why except that it’s a busy, yet stagnant time as... more »

Celebrating single grape diversity: Grenaches du Monde 2018 & Grenache³

by  |  15-04-2018

Today closes the 6th edition of Grenaches du Monde, an event that, much like Grenache itself has been a roving vagabond, seeing itself set up shop wherever Grenache has made its presence known. While starting... more »

Ancient Georgian winemaking loses one of its modern founders

by  |  12-04-2018

It’s sad to report the passing of Georgian winemaker, Soliko Tsaishvili. He had been diagnosed in the early stages of pancreatic cancer in 2016 and while receiving treatment since, friends reported that he succumbed to... more »

“Corpinnat”, the newest classification for Spanish sparkling wines

by  |  11-04-2018

Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine Denomination of Origin based almost entirely in Penedès, Catalonia now has another potential classification to add labels. If this seems like déjà vu, that’s likely due to being reminded of Cava... more »