Spanish Wines

The 4€ Bierzo Mencía experience

by  |  12-10-2017

I have something of a Modern Art-like fascination with the grocery store chain, Lidl. The implementation of their stores varies wildly from one country to another and in some stores, such as those in the... more »

A further tasting of Bodega Otazu

by  |  10-10-2017

When the mega top-end “Vitral” by Bodega Otazu was announced earlier this year, I wrote a critique of the overall approach of creating what is for all purposed a “cult wine”, one which is created... more »

Neither “whole” nor “food”, Don Simón in a healthy place?

by  |  23-09-2017

Whole Foods Market has been in the news a great deal recently as it was purchased by Amazon. More market-driven minds than mine have picked apart this deal to no end, so there’s little reason... more »

Descendientes de J. Palacios – Pétalos 2015

by  |  21-08-2017

Living where I do, I know the wines of Álvaro Palacios very well as his winery is one of the most dominant in the region. Something like 15% of all the grapes grown in DOQ... more »
Photo from DO Montilla-Moriles

The 2017 harvest begins

by  |  19-07-2017

And with the most southern reaches of Spain we come to the first grapes to be harvested in all of Europe for the 2017 vintage. In this case, we cast an eye to DO Montilla-Moriles... more »

Cartema Blanco 2012

by  |  13-07-2017

Hell hath no fury like July in Catalonia and one with little chilled wine to drink. Given this heat and blustery humidity, I was scampering about to find something to chill and while reds are... more »

In The Glass: Bodegas Roda – Sela 2014

by  |  30-06-2017

I was quite excited to receive this recent sample as I’d tasted the Sela 2013 sometime back and found it to be not only a great wine, but also a great value. I’m not really... more »

New wine protest in le Boulou at the French-Spanish border

by  |  24-05-2017

Heading north from Barcelona Airport, I was greeted to the signs as seen above warning that there was going to be a “manifestation” or protest by the Southern French winemakers on the 23rd of May.... more »

Rare wines grapes of Rioja: Maturana Tinta & Mazuelo

by  |  15-04-2017

It may seem like a tired trope to bang on the fact that most people, when hearing the regional name, “Rioja” think that all wines are made from Tempranillo, but it’s the most common word... more »

López de Heredia – Viña Tondonia Reserva 2004

by  |  07-04-2017

I’ve spent this whole week in La Rioja, a name in Spanish wine that even the most casual of wine drinkers have usually heard of if nothing else. It’s been a trip that’s been a... more »