Spanish Wines

Bodegas Frontonio 2020s

by  |  01-12-2023

In addition to getting an update on the wines of Verónica Ortega, the Vinos OFF The Record in Madrid allowed for an update of Bodegas Frontonio and their current releases. Recall that this winery was... more »

How did Cava get so small?

by  |  29-11-2023

"la DO Cava es mucho más que Corpinnat" “DO Cava is much more than Corpinnat” This was part of a declaration made by DO Cava president Javier Pagés at the beginning of February, 2019 when... more »

Sparkling wines of Catalunya 2024

by  |  27-11-2023

There is no hard date, but there definitely was a time in Spain when the concept of sparkling wine was “easier” as, from 1986 onwards, it was simply, “Cava”. It was easier even if it... more »

Talking ‘Massal Selection’ with Álvaro Ribalta

by  |  24-11-2023

It’s the biggest irony that to get access to the most interesting wines from across Europe, you’re best off going to anywhere in Europe where they don’t produce wine (or at least not a lot... more »

Verónica Ortega’s current releases

by  |  22-11-2023

I’ve happily followed the work of Verónica Ortega since meeting her nearly a decade ago at Vinisud when that was still happening in Montpellier, France. Back then, she was starting out with her first releases... more »

Wine shop closures abound

by  |  15-11-2023

The big news in the Spanish wine scene at the moment is the announced closure of Lavinia’s “flagship” wine shop in Madrid. Located at C/ de José Ortega y Gasset 16 in the upscale Salamanca... more »

Sístole – Maturana Tinta 2021

by  |  10-11-2023

When I first started encountering varietal Grenache wines in Rioja, I have to say, I wasn’t bowled over by a great many of them. It was often the case that they were from cooler point... more »

The wines of DOC Rioja 2023 Part II & Viñedos Singulares

by  |  06-11-2023

Our modern life has become one that’s all about sequels and thus, here we arrive to what is Part II of the larger Rioja report from September. This comes paired with a new Tasting Report... more »
Photo courtesy of DO Valle de Güímar

The Tenerife fire, what comes next

by  |  03-11-2023

On 15 August, 2023, a massive forest fire started on the Canary Island of Tenerife and while now extinguished, the fire continued to burn for weeks after due to high winds causing flare ups. To... more »

DOC Rioja recommends moratorium on new vine planting

by  |  17-10-2023

In what is a large, yet unsurprising piece of news, the DOC Rioja council met on 16 October, 2023 and are recommending to the Spanish Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación that there be no... more »