Articles

The wine trains of Spain

by  |  01-09-2021

For those coming to Spain I’ve noticed that there’s a tendency to underestimate just how big Spain actually is. Spoiler, it’s big, like, California big but squarish instead of rectangularish. Travelers often think it’s a... more »

The demise of “Atwater & Clough”, a cautionary enotourism tale

by  |  17-03-2020

The bankruptcy of Thomas Cook in later 2019 was the biggest news to hit the travel industry in a long time–until of course COVID-19 emerged. This large, venerable travel agency collapsing meant tens of thousands... more »

Drinking well, in Bali

by  |  10-10-2019

A series that looks at how to enjoy a drink in less obvious and at times, exotic destinations. If asking a potential tourist where they would like to go, the answer is probably, “Where there... more »

How to visit the Priorat wine region

by  |  27-01-2019 ~ 4 Comments

Despite the fact that I travel a lot for writing about wine, when I'm around in Priorat, I'm happy to lead tastings and tours. Sharing such great wines and opening up minds to how much... more »
Mustard, Napa has it

Seeing the Napa Valley of now

by  |  26-03-2018

This past February, the impossible happened: I actually slept in Napa Valley. In fact, I slept seven nights and passed an entire week within the confines of these world-famous vineyards bracketed by the Mayacamas and... more »

“Wine lies” are still lies

by  |  03-01-2017

My plans for New Years were probably similar to those not terribly game for the evening which was to say, chilling with my dog and a bottle of Champagne from the “decent” range. But, at... more »

Traveling with wine & peace of mind: The VinGardeValise

by  |  27-06-2016

If I'm traveling, I pretty much always find myself traveling with wine and doing what I assume most people did which was to wrap bottles in my dirty laundry on the way back. Beyond a... more »

Rocking the Wine Cradle

by  |  08-04-2016

Awhile back I was sent a sample of this "Wine Cradle" from the Danish design group, Heveas. Of course I should add that somewhere en route to Spain, it vanished and so I was sent... more »

Dumb SUV driver wipes out old vines

by  |  11-03-2016

Last weekend, a group of retired Barcelonians, out on a weekend jaunt in an undoubtedly ridiculous SUV destroyed a number of old vines when they drove in to a field claiming that they were "looking... more »
The village of Porrera, seen from above

Who speaks what when visiting Priorat?

by  |  22-02-2016

Sometime back on the Facebook page of Vinologue, a student in Madrid sent a message infuriated that the official website of DOQ Priorat wasn’t available in Spanish. Back then as it is now, you could... more »