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Spanish Wines

In The Glass: Viña Tondonia – Rosado Gran Reserva 2008

by  |  23-08-2019

Much like politics these days, the concept of “unicorn wine” drives me a bit bonkers. For those who’ve not found their Instagram awash in its eleven-lettered presence, essentially they’re wines that are so rare and... more » Much like politics these days, the concept of “unicorn wine” drives me... more »

Ribera del Duero to shine a light on their whites

by  |  01-08-2019

The Boletín Oficial del Estado (Spanish State Bulletin) isn’t light reading. There are sticky gobs of technical announcements for absolutely all facets of the government but, if one is willing to hone in on the... more » The Boletín Oficial del Estado (Spanish State Bulletin) isn’t light reading. There... more »

The newest Spanish Vino de Pago: Vallegarcía

by  |  12-06-2019

What once was 14 is now 15 as the EU has just published official recognition of the newest Vino de Pago in Spain: Vallegarcía. Maybe you’ve heard of this winery of the same name but... more » What once was 14 is now 15 as the EU has just... more »

A judgment in Grenache, Perpignan edition

by  |  22-05-2019

Taking the TGV from Perpignan in the direction of Spain gives you that brief glimpse of what being a protagonist in a billion-dollar superhero franchise must feel like. There’s this rush as you gain more... more » Taking the TGV from Perpignan in the direction of Spain gives you... more »

In The Glass: Veronica Ortega – Cobrana 2016

by  |  10-05-2019

For some time, Mencía, a grape native to the Bierzo region, was the “Pinot Noir of the moment” for Spain. The comparison seems to always be made with any grape, Spanish or not, that’s red,... more » For some time, Mencía, a grape native to the Bierzo region, was... more »

Not Tinto, Blanco. Tempranillo Blanco

by  |  12-04-2019

1988 was nuts. There was the Iran-Contra Affair, the Eritrean War for Independence, the Nagorno-Karabakh War, a Kuwait Airways hijacking, an Iran Air flight shot down “accidentally” by the US, the Soviet Union launching its... more » 1988 was nuts. There was the Iran-Contra Affair, the Eritrean War for... more »

Tasting the finest wines of València & Spain’s Levant

by  |  04-01-2019

This past New Year’s Eve found me in València, hired on as the “wine expert” for a group that had flown down for the UK to say goodbye to 2018 and take on the mantle... more » This past New Year’s Eve found me in València, hired on as... more »

VdT Castilla y León wines, for when DO doesn’t do it

by  |  04-12-2018

Perhaps you’ve never heard of it but the Spanish Autonomous Community of Castilla y León is the country’s largest. And no, it’s not Castilla y La Mancha of Don Quixote fame as that’s another region... more » Perhaps you’ve never heard of it but the Spanish Autonomous Community of... 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 » Carignan doesn’t see a whole lotta love. It’s most certainly no Pinot... more »

Bodegas Roda – Sela 2015

by  |  29-07-2018

I’ve been following the evolution of this Sela from Bodegas Roda for some time now and you can read up what I wrote about the 2013 and 2014 vintages. For anyone unfamiliar with the winery,... more » I’ve been following the evolution of this Sela from Bodegas Roda for... more »