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Bordeaux 2021, En Primeur

by  |  18-05-2022

After three years away, the world’s wine professionals landed upon Bordeaux this spring for the (previously) annual En Primeur campaign covering the 2021 vintage. The general takeaway? Great estates made great wines. All others, take... more » After three years away, the world’s wine professionals landed upon Bordeaux this... more »

I tasted these 2€ Spanish wines so you didn’t have to

by  |  04-10-2021

Spain has no problem selling its wines... as long as they're "a good value". This has become a double-edged sword given that the common perception, especially in markets like the UK, is that Spanish wines... more » Spain has no problem selling its wines... as long as they're "a... more »

In The Glass: Toto Marqués – Prades 950 2016

by  |  01-07-2020

There’s been a justified push to promote “terroir” insofar as it relates to wine. This French word, which means “sense of place” or more simply, “locale” is all fine and good unless it’s the case... more » There’s been a justified push to promote “terroir” insofar as it relates... more »

In Cain I Trust

by  |  17-06-2019

When writing about wine, everything digital is your best friend–right after a spittoon. A lightweight laptop, or in a pinch, the mobile, armed with either Google Keep for quick notes or Excel for longer tastings... more » When writing about wine, everything digital is your best friend–right after a... more »

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 » A decade ago, despite living just an hour away in San Francisco,... more »

Wine Predictions for 2019

by  |  01-01-2019

In these illustrious times of silly-haired men holding sway over the misdirection of the world, predictions of any kind are slightly less useful than horse sweat. But, as little value as general predictions may have,... more » In these illustrious times of silly-haired men holding sway over the misdirection... more »

A taste from the east, Crama Ferdi

by  |  13-09-2018

One judges wine competitions neither for fame nor money which is good as both are in staggeringly short supply for the activity. So, why do it? Well, to challenge yourself into being more analytical about... more » One judges wine competitions neither for fame nor money which is good... more »

Continuum: How the Mondavis pressed on

by  |  14-05-2018

One of the grandest of sagas that took place in Napa Valley during the 20th century was the split between the original Mondavi brothers of Robert and Peter. Many a wine drinker will know the... more » One of the grandest of sagas that took place in Napa Valley... more »

Wine with a greater purpose: El Microscopi 2016

by  |  20-12-2017

Wine needs a story! So harps those in marketing these days and I have to agree that there is some truth to this as a wine without a story is essentially the beer, Coors Light.... more » Wine needs a story! So harps those in marketing these days and... more »

Tasting the latest of Vins de Pedra

by  |  14-11-2017

It was back in 2012 that I witnessed the first breaths of Vins de Pedra. During a spring visit to La Vinyeta and chatting with owner, Josep Serra, it was impossible to miss a new... more » It was back in 2012 that I witnessed the first breaths of... more »