Catalan Wines

The rebirth of the Escanyavella grape in Priorat

by  |  20-05-2016

There existed many old grape varieties in Catalonia; many of them in much greater numbers before phylloxera. In the days that followed this catastrophic attack to European winemaking there was something of a viticultural reckoning... more »

Taking a balanced look at the Priorats

by  |  16-05-2016

Whether viewing it as a yolk and its white or a donut and its hole, it's hard not to see DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant closely linked given that the latter wraps nearly completely around... more »

In The Glass: Vinyes d’en Gabriel – Mans de Samsó 2013

by  |  12-05-2016 ~ 4 Comments

It takes visiting large production regions such as Rioja or Napa where they tout a wine as "small production" at 5,000 bottles to really appreciate the all-too typical story in both DOQ Priorat & DO... more »

DO Conca de Barberà is not the grape, Barbera

by  |  09-05-2016 ~ 1 Comment

With today's regional focus being on the Catalan wine region, DO Conca de Barberà, it's probably a good moment to chat about something that's very easy to confuse in that this wine region has absolutely... more »

In The Glass: Vins de Foresta – Marselan 2013

by  |  06-05-2016

Marselan is a curious beast that's been popping up here and there. Originally created as a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, it was successfully bred near the town of Marseillan, France from which it... more »

DO Montsant, calling it “cheap Priorat” is just so 2006

by  |  04-05-2016

I've been giving a series of guided tastings in English at the Wine Aspects school in Vilafranca del Penedès. They started with DO Empordà and will finish with DOQ Priorat. But right in the middle,... more »

RIP Philippe Geeraert

by  |  02-05-2016 ~ 1 Comment

I'm thoroughly unclear on what the objective of 2016 is other than to methodically kill off everyone involved with the wine world. With a string of high-profile winemakers dying in France as well as Zlatan... more »
Photo courtesy of Clos 93

Discovering “Garnatxa del Po”

by  |  27-04-2016

Clos 93 is one of those cellars in DOQ Priorat that exemplifies how the winemakers in this appellation are more closely resembling those in Burgundy than anywhere else in Spain. With just 12,000 bottles a... more »
Their tasting room in the farmhouse

The novel approach of Clos Lentiscus

by  |  16-04-2016

Since fully moving to Priorat, I've ironically been spending a good deal of time in Penedès. First was for the "Rebels of Penedès" article and then for the Clàssic Penedès follow up. Despite Clos Lentiscus... more »

Color me unsurprised, Wine Folly gets Priorat dead wrong

by  |  12-04-2016 ~ 4 Comments

There's usually not too much to be gained in pointing out someone else's errors. At best, people see you as a smart ass. At worst, they see you as an asshole. Essentially, some varying shade... more »