Catalan Wines

A reflective tasting on DOQ Priorat’s 2010 vintage

by  |  29-03-2021

Every year in Priorat, there’s a small event called the, Tast del Decenni or, “decade tasting”. It’s an intimate affair in a very packed room that takes place during the annual Fira del Vi. The... more »

Cul de Cuvée 27-03-2021

by  |  27-03-2021

A bluntly-curated selection of absolutely random recent bits from around the wine and drink world. Plan-kay? Plank? Plahnk? Apparently a new “wine drinkers’ clubhouse” is set to open in East London called “Planque” although at... more »

Checking in on Plana d’en Jan

by  |  19-03-2021

I like to say that “curiosity sates the palate”. This is why last year I did a tasting of “native” red varieties in DO Penedès. Initially I had only wanted varieties that were considered native... more »

In The Glass – Viñas Serranas – El Ciclón 2017

by  |  15-03-2021

I always feel an electric charge cross my skin when I encounter a wine which lists its variety composition as “others” or “field blend”. It’s an exciting game of wine roulette as sometimes the wine... more »

A chat on the wines of Hvar, Croatia, Mar 14 7PM CET

by  |  12-03-2021

Following up on the just-released Hvar Island Wine Report exploring the state of wine in this corner of Dalmatia, I’ve invited the president of the Hvar Wine Association Ivana Krstulović-Carić for an online chat this... more »

In The Glass: Graillot & Thalvin – Tandem 2018

by  |  08-03-2021

I’ve always had a passing interest in Moroccan wines as in, “Huh, I wonder what wines from Morocco are like?” but it turned into something a good deal more real when Albert Costa of Vall... more »

Cul de Cuvée 06-03-2021

by  |  06-03-2021

A bluntly-curated selection of absolutely random recent bits from around the wine and drink world. New Masters of Wine… and their papers? Yes, it’s that time of year again, I think. Wait, what time is... more »

In The Glass: Mollydooker – The Maitre’D 2017

by  |  03-03-2021

Mollydooker, it’s a name you remember with a brand image you simply can’t forget. Aussie slang for a “left-handed person” (which the founders both were), I’ve seen the wines for years whenever up in the... more »

In The Glass – Zabdi – Bonastero 2018

by  |  24-02-2021

While maybe not a universal household name in terms of Spanish wine regions (yet), the Denomination of Origin Toro in the region of Castilla y León has come a long way in a rather short... more »

Why Sherry is reviving

by  |  22-02-2021

It’s the news that Sherry producers have been waiting literally decades to hear: Sherry sales have increased! As was recently reported in terms of the UK (a principal market for the wine), Sherry sales have... more »