Articles

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

The story of Triaca

by  |  24-07-2017

I can’t properly remember the first time nor even the first place that I bumped into Santi. I feel that it was in Falset during a Vi de Vila tasting was where we first met... more »

The Blason Louis experience

by  |  22-06-2017

A few months back, I was contacted by Blason Louis to receive a pack of their wine flaçons. I really had no idea what they were talking about as a bottle for wine is bouteille... more »

Bodega Otazu’s Vitral, the 2,000€ ruse

by  |  24-02-2017

A few days ago, word came down that there is a new, ultra-premium-priced wine from Spain, the Bodega Otazu – Vitral 2013. Undeterred by the idea of a mere 1,000€ for Pingus or l’Ermita, they’ve... more »

Château Bourgneuf – Pomerol 2010

by  |  23-01-2017

As most of us are a bit light in the wallet to indulge in Château Pétrus regularly (yowza), we must search about for other bottles from AOC Pomerol in Bordeaux that attempt to reach for... more »

Castell del Remei’s Oda Time

by  |  08-12-2016

I recently received some new wines from Castell del Remei. If you’ll recall (although I’d be thoroughly amazed if you did), I reviewed their younger wines a few months back. The Oda white and red... more »

Shabo – Grand Reserve Cabernet Merlot 2014. Yes, Ukrainian.

by  |  06-12-2016

When returning from my recent trip to visit Armenian wineries, I had a layover in Kiev’s Boryspil Airport and despite reliable free wifi, there wasn’t much to do but wander around, eat a damned fine... more »