Features

The wines of Campania & Taurasi 2026

by  |  12-02-2026

It’s a strange thing to say, but prior to arriving in Naples, Italy, I was preparing for the worst. Travel coverage of Italy’s third-largest city (and de facto capital of the south) ranged from “a... more »

The brandy of Torres

by  |  09-02-2026

Just over a decade ago, I had to do an emergency fill in as the “wine expert” for a group of posh enotourists(*) who were coming to Catalunya for New Year’s Eve. A visit to... more »

And now, the ‘Pica’

by  |  29-01-2026

It started as many things do these days, with an Instagram Story. And, as all things ‘Story’ go, I have only the ephemeral visual memories and snippets of seconds to tie together an actual story... more »

Drinking well, in Kraków

by  |  21-01-2026

An ongoing series that looks at how to enjoy a drink in less obvious and at times, exotic destinations for the European or North American traveler. Some might ask why I would go to Poland... more »

The Catalunya Report 2026

by  |  14-01-2026

“I’m worried more about Climate Change than I am about sales…” When I visited Anna Espelt in the Empordà region last fall, this one quote summed up the situation for wine in Catalunya. More importantly,... more »

The wines of Penedès 2025

by  |  03-12-2025

Of all the things that changed for me in 2025, the biggest was my perception of the wines from DO Penedès. As shown by the latest Tasting Report of just under 200 wines, Penedès is... more »

The wines of Eastern Catalunya 2025

by  |  20-11-2025

Let’s have a look at what is, the eastern portion of Catalunya where the denominations of origin for Empordà, Pla de Bages, and Alella are located. I’ll start by admitting there isn’t terribly much that... more »

The wines of Jerez & Sherry 2025

by  |  11-11-2025

The last time my feet set foot on the powdery albariza soils of the Sherry lands was a decade ago. Despite this lengthy amount of time, when I paid a visit to the classic winery... more »

Bodegas el Grifo in Lanzarote celebrates its 250th anniversary

by  |  03-11-2025

In 1730, a massive volcanic eruption broke out on the Canary island of Lanzarote, just off the coast of Africa. It was initially epic in size, but became even greater as additional eruptions would continue... more »

The wines of Costers del Segre & Conca de Barberà 2025

by  |  16-10-2025

Let’s have a new look at these two regions in the central part of Catalunya which includes separate Tasting Reports for Costers del Segre and Conca de Barberà. It can be rather difficult to group... more »