A new take on Parellada: Celler Credo – Volaina 201820-06-2019

For anyone learning the finer details of wine, you typically memorize that there are three core grapes to Cava: Xarel·lo, Macabeu, and Parellada. The first two abound in individual merits, especially my Carignan-cheat-grape, Xarel·lo. But... more>

Champagne’s terroir problem01-04-2019

The train to Champagne departs Paris every hour at 36 minutes past from Gare de l’Est. While the carriages might be from an past era, the trip isn’t long with the congestion and sirens of... more>

Family wineries and the issue of Climate Change04-03-2019

Last week I was invited to a friendly, relaxed lunch in Barcelona, albeit one that was focused on the serious topic of Climate Change and how it relates to winemaking. The unfortunate joke behind the... more>

Corpinnat and the death of fine Cava?01-02-2019

At the end of January, the lucky wineries in Penedès, Catalunya were those out pruning their vines. Then there were others, dealing with heavy affairs that don’t happen every year, but perhaps once a generation.... more>

Finca Parera – Faust 1.0 (2010)18-02-2016

It was quite random that I met Ruben Parera of Finca Parera one day. Albert Costa of Vall Llach was doing a pruning and grafting tour for the father and son team of Archè Pagés... more>

Recaredo’s Turó d’en Mota07-09-2015

It seems that despite visiting Recaredo several times, I keep forgetting to write about their top-end wine and property called, Turó d’en Mota. For anyone who visits Recaredo (and out of all the Cava makers... more>

A comparative tasting of Vins de Taller28-05-2015

As we’ve mentioned before, Vins de Taller doesn’t get a lot of love up in Empordà. This is due primarily to their being just outside the Denomination of Origin and being under the much larger... more>

Batič Angel Rosso Grand Cuvee 200726-05-2015

The name Batič comes up here and there on this website. There are many reasons behind this, but the main driving force is that wines of Miha and his family are quite simply, excellent. They’re... more>

The lunar calendar in dishcloth form21-01-2015

For those unfamiliar with the whole lunar cycle business when it comes to wine, there are many who take it quite seriously. Essentially, the main gist is that you have: fruit days, flower days, leaf... more>