Catalan Wines

Speaking of Herència Altés

by  |  18-02-2019

In Spain, judgment of a person is regularly passed based upon their given name. If you can figure out the origin of either of the family names, you base your conclusions upon that. If the... more »

Priorat continues trying to reclaim the Siurana River

by  |  12-02-2019

Each and every river begins with a single drop of water. It may not be apparent when looking at such mighty torrents as the Amazon or Congo, but somewhere, deep in a far-flung hinterland, one... more »

Corpinnat and the death of fine Cava?

by  |  01-02-2019

At the end of January, the lucky wineries in Penedès, Catalunya were those out pruning their vines. Then there were others, dealing with heavy affairs that don’t happen every year, but perhaps once a generation.... more »

The wines of Terroir Sense Fronteres

by  |  12-12-2018

I’ve not been seen outside my tasting room much this year as it was one of those periods when I again took on all the wines of both DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant. The end... more »

“Carinyena”, the original Carignan now free to be itself

by  |  29-11-2018

Carignan doesn’t see a whole lotta love. It’s most certainly no Pinot Noir nor Chardonnay nor Cabernet Sauvignon in terms of name recognition nor pan-global wine enjoyment. It’s not even at the level of Grenache... 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 »

Roussillon – The rise of dry

by  |  05-07-2018

In recent times, many words have been written about the quality revolution taking place in France’s Languedoc. The plenitude of grapevines both young and old, a favorable climate, and much lower costs to entry for... more »
Bellmunt del Priorat

Understanding DOQ Priorat’s village wines: Vi de Vila

by  |  15-06-2018

While it’s important to understand the Vino de Pago & Vi de Finca classifications of Spain & Catalunya as they’re region wide, one that’s actually much more interesting and evolving is that of “Vi de... more »

Mitzpe Ramon: Israeli wine blossoms in the Negev

by  |  18-05-2018

Walking the trails of the Makhtesh Ramon in Southern Israeli exposes one to 200 million years of history. When an ancient ocean that covered the area receded, this makhtesh, or what is more simply, yet... more »

Premiere Napa Valley 2018

by  |  01-03-2018

February 24th marked the 21st annual Premiere Napa Valley auction. Following somewhat in the mold of Burgundy’s famous Hospice de Beaune, it’s a wine trade event that auctions off selected bottles or barrel lots donated... more »