Articles

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 »

Cara Nord – Rosat 2017 & Spain’s new rosy face

by  |  06-04-2018

For anyone who reads the news you’ll have noticed we have some political “issues” in Spain/Catalunya to put it lightly. Despite their not being featured in the news as much like last October, they haven’t... more »
If you're not on social media, give people something to put there

The winemaker/winery guide to social media

by  |  04-04-2018

For anyone in wine, you’ve probably been constantly hearing how this generation or that generation or men or women or fill-in-the-blank is “now buying wine via social media!” Most of these articles usually make big... more »

Everyone’s a winemaker in wine country, Domaine Christiane Chambeyron-Manin Côte Rôtie 2013

by  |  29-03-2018

The butcher I frequent in the next village over has a small quantity of wine that they make and sell directly in the shop, certified under DO Montsant. Distracted by cuts of meat and wondering... more »
Mustard, Napa has it

Seeing the Napa Valley of now

by  |  26-03-2018

This past February, the impossible happened: I actually slept in Napa Valley. In fact, I slept seven nights and passed an entire week within the confines of these world-famous vineyards bracketed by the Mayacamas and... more »

Drouhin Vaudon – Chablis 2016

by  |  06-03-2018

Instagram is weirder than the weather. Sometimes you put up a photo of what you think if one of the most dramatic landscapes you’ve ever seen but it gets nearly no reaction. Then, you put... more »