Features

The wines of DO Bierzo 2024

by  |  25-07-2024

It had been some time since my previous DO Bierzo report, so it was a prime moment to take another lengthy look at the region this past May which has resulted in the Tasting Report... more »
The village of Quel in Rioja Oriental

The wines of DOC Rioja 2024

by  |  18-07-2024

My annual visit to Rioja constantly nudges at me from the corners of my mind throughout the year. A large mountain on the horizon that always leaves me wondering how on earth I’m ever going... more »
Photo from Cain winery

Cain and persistence through ashes

by  |  11-07-2024

I was seeing my family for Christmas in 2021, but I was also seeing the harsh realities of making wine in California in these modern times. A light rain misted the road as I arrived... more »

The official release of the Gigondas white wines

by  |  08-07-2024

If there was ever an all-encompassing case of “Good things come to those who wait”, then it would be the Southern Rhône appellation of Gigondas finally being approved to produce white wines in September of... more »

The wines of Moldova 2024

by  |  18-06-2024

Moldova has for some time been a “country of interest” for me. I can’t exactly tell you why, but I suppose it’s due to my having absolutely zero hardcoded ideas about it nor its wines... more »

The wines of Alicante 2024

by  |  29-05-2024

Alicante came to be as a DO in the 1930s, but it wasn’t given a full regulatory council until 1957 as was the case for all the DOs in Valencia for some reason. But, much... more »

The wines of Gigondas 2024

by  |  16-05-2024

Earlier this year I was planning out my spring reporting trips which included a lengthy stay in the South of France. As I told a colleague about my plan and that I was intending to... more »

A taste of Northern Rhône 2024

by  |  06-05-2024

Several years ago, I was attending the press dinner for the Grands Jours de Bourgogne and somehow ended up seated next to a high-level director for one of the largest negociants in Burgundy. I would... more »

The wines of Penedès 2024

by  |  30-04-2024

I recently caught up with the wines of the Penedès region via a tasting focused upon the “native/traditional” varieties of the region which is out today and features more than 100 wines. Penedès is and... more »

A taste of Beaujolais

by  |  16-04-2024

With the Jura Tasting, it was important to look at how they’re making wines that are something of a Burgundy+. By that I mean there’s something similar to Burgundy, but they go into what is... more »