Catalan Wines

The wines of DO Tarragona in 2021

by  |  19-04-2021

In general, Spain doesn’t see the minute, detailed, pebble-level analysis in wine texts that other countries such as France do. But even if one takes this into account, finding out much about DO Tarragona in... more »

Cul de Cuvée 17-04-2021

by  |  17-04-2021

A bluntly-curated selection of absolutely random recent bits from around the wine and drink world. The restaurant spoketh easy It’s been uncovered that secret restaurants have been serving people in private without the use of... more »
Photo provided by the winery

The latest from Sierra de Toloño in Rioja Alavesa

by  |  15-04-2021

An imposing as well as important piece of Rioja’s geography are the Cantabrian Mountains in the north that act as a guard against the worst of the Atlantic Ocean’s intentions. It isn’t just one range... more »

In The Glass – Verónica Ortega – ROC 2017

by  |  09-04-2021

Verónica Ortega is no stranger to these pages. I reviewed her Cobrana 2016 two years ago and she’s been a winemaker I’ve watched closely since first meeting her just over seven years ago at Vinisud... more »

The wines of DO Bierzo in 2021

by  |  05-04-2021

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Bierzo region in northwestern Spain is in the middle of nowhere. Its main town and capital, Ponferrada is three hours by car from the airport in Vigo... more »

Another glimpse into the wonderful world of Trepat

by  |  31-03-2021

Due to ongoing, seemingly never-to-end restrictions, events like the annual Concarim Tasting or Festa del Trepat in DO Conca de Barberà won’t be taking place. So, in order counteract this, they’ve been holding a number... more »

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 »