Catalan Wines

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

by  |  12-05-2016

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

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

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

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 »
A rainbow of wonderful wines

And the Porrera wine gang was all there

by  |  01-04-2016

As was usually when coming in from one of the trails around the village of Porrera, my dog had spotted a cat and ran off through the houses. We’ve been through this game many times... more »
Russell at his apartment in el Masroig

D. Russell Smith, a Texan in the vineyards of Montsant

by  |  29-03-2016

When researching the book for DO Montsant, I did everything I could to uncover every wine that was being made with any degree of seriousness within the appellation. This took me to all the far-flung... more »