Catalan Wines

Let’s talk about ’16 and Álvaro Palacios

by  |  25-03-2019

A decade ago, despite living just an hour away in San Francisco, my visits to Napa Valley were readily-dwindling in regularity as tourism was then and is now, out of control. But in a nearly-final... more »

Family wineries and the issue of Climate Change

by  |  04-03-2019

Last week I was invited to a friendly, relaxed lunch in Barcelona, albeit one that was focused on the serious topic of Climate Change and how it relates to winemaking. The unfortunate joke behind 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 »

DO Tarragona also gets an update

by  |  18-12-2018

About 3-4 years ago public money was made available for the various DOs in Catalunya to “app themselves”. Due to this, various apps popped up and various levels of maintenance ensued as once the projects... 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 »

A heretic is born: Cellers de Scala Dei – l’Heretge 2016

by  |  16-10-2018

According to all facts and figures available, the Grenache grape is what dominates the vineyards and production in DOQ Priorat, standing at 39% of the total as of 2017. It used to be a bit... more »

New wine mag on the block: Root & Vine

by  |  11-10-2018

The current mantra for entrepreneurship in the United States is that of “success through failure”. It’s become a nearly religious belief among the web industry ilk as people have many, many failures until they have... more »

The newest Vi de Finca wines are from Mas d’en Gil

by  |  08-10-2018

The two newest “Vi de Finca” wines in Catalunya that have been announced are in DOQ Priroat and from Mas d’en Gil. Named, Coma Blanca and Clos Fontà they have been fittingly timed with the... more »