Catalan Wines

Carignan abounds, Tomas Cusiné – Finca Barqueres 2016

by  |  14-11-2018

Sometime back, a group of enologists in Catalunya called, “10 Sentits” (10 senses) made a Grenache-based wine called “Cat Negre” that was culled from all 10 DOs of Catalunya (they nixed DO Cava as it’s... more »

The ever-mighty Xarel·lo. Recaredo: Turó d’en Mota 2006 & Serral del Vell 2008

by  |  29-10-2018

Perhaps it’s because t hasn’t popped up on #sommlife or the less-used but seemingly less annoying #awesomm. Or, perhaps it’s just that the punt volat (·) tosses people for a wobbly, but Xarel·lo is still... more »

What once was lost: Abadal – Mandó 2016

by  |  22-10-2018

When the spare thought allows, I often wonder how the vinous landscape of Europe would look today were it not for the scourge of Phylloxera in the later 19th and early 20th centuries. The root... more »

A heretic is born: Cellers de Scala Dei – l’Heretge 2016

by  |  16-10-2018

According to all facts and figures available, the Grenache grape is what dominates the vineyards and production in DOQ Priorat, standing at 39% of the total as of 2017. It used to be a bit... more »

The newest Vi de Finca wines are from Mas d’en Gil

by  |  08-10-2018

The two newest “Vi de Finca” wines in Catalunya that have been announced are in DOQ Priroat and from Mas d’en Gil. Named, Coma Blanca and Clos Fontà they have been fittingly timed with the... more »

The Cava cometh: Vilarnau Gran Reserva 2012

by  |  03-10-2018

The drift from summer into the cooler, breathier vectors comprising fall is made ever so obvious by the sudden rise of sparkling wine promotion. Gearing people up for the winter holidays means getting the word... more »
L-R: Sumarroca, 7103 Petit Celler, Montse Molla

The 2018 Harvest. So far so… normal-ish?

by  |  24-09-2018

Just once I’ve love to hear some wine promotion body speak of their current harvest and say something along the lines of, “This year? It’s shit. Seriously, don’t drink it. Actually, you won’t be able... more »

Some choice Garnatxes from DOQ Priorat & DO Montsant for #GrenacheDay

by  |  21-09-2018

In 2010, those who make Grenache decided that the third Friday of September would hence forth be “International Grenache Day”. While initially hatched at an event in France’s Rhône, this has indeed became a thing... more »

A Priorat amber wine to blow the mind – Les Brugueres Antecessor 1997

by  |  18-09-2018

Over the summer I tasted and scored over 400 wines from DOQ Priorat & DO Montsant. Anyone can receive the full results now for free when buying the books (també en català). It includes a... more »

Priorat’s Terra Dominicata hotel & restaurant arrives

by  |  04-09-2018

The county of Priorat, in terms of a wine region, is not lacking for places to stay after a day of enjoying the fine wine of DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant. What have been lacking... more »