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A look back at the 2012 vintage in Catalunya & Roussillon

by  |  01-09-2019

The other day someone wrote to inquire about the 2012 Clos Mogador and what my impressions were of it. While I enjoyed drinking it when initially released, I realized that instead of just talking about... more » The other day someone wrote to inquire about the 2012 Clos Mogador... more »

Skipping on schist – Domaine Augustin

by  |  10-06-2019

As that almighty crow flies, it’s a mere 12km to the French-Spanish border from Colliure. In reality however, it’s actually 25km of twisty roads that take nearly an hour to cover if holiday camping vans... more » As that almighty crow flies, it’s a mere 12km to the French-Spanish... more »

A judgment in Grenache, Perpignan edition

by  |  22-05-2019 ~ 1 Comment

Taking the TGV from Perpignan in the direction of Spain gives you that brief glimpse of what being a protagonist in a billion-dollar superhero franchise must feel like. There's this rush as you gain more... more » Taking the TGV from Perpignan in the direction of Spain gives you... more »

Roussillon – The rise of dry

by  |  05-07-2018

In recent times, many words have been written about the quality revolution taking place in France’s Languedoc. The plenitude of grapevines both young and old, a favorable climate, and much lower costs to entry for... more » In recent times, many words have been written about the quality revolution... more »
Old vines in the Mas de la Rosa vineyard

A Priorat tasting of Carignan without borders

by  |  02-05-2018

Fully booked! Sorry for those who couldn’t get in this time around! I have admittedly been a bit crazy about Carignan lately. It’s no wonder as I posted this large, “Grand Tasting of Carignan” from... more » Fully booked! Sorry for those who couldn’t get in this time around!... more »

The Grand Carignan Tasting

by  |  08-01-2018

There existed a time when I was daft to the wiles and wonders of the grape, Carignan. Despite pockets of old vines in California it was essentially a lost variety. Little thought and even less... more » There existed a time when I was daft to the wiles and... more »
Terrace overlooking the countryside

Riberach wine hotel, Roussillon

by  |  25-01-2016

To know the land of Roussillon is not to drive briefly through it, deftly avoiding Perpignan via the A9 highway either heading to adventures more northern in France or more southern in Spain. The real... more » To know the land of Roussillon is not to drive briefly through... more »

The rest of 2016

by  |  05-01-2016

Continued from yesterday, a few more observations about what’s to come in 2016 in general and outside of Catalonia. Southern France I just received an email from Michel Blanc in Châteauneuf going on at length... more » Continued from yesterday, a few more observations about what’s to come in... more »

Domaine Treloar

by  |  18-04-2015

The first time that I met winemaking Englishman, Jonathan Hesford was at Arrels del Vi in 2013 in Sant Martí d’Empúries, Catalonia. This was followed by a fair called Vignerons des Aspres in Thuir, France... more » The first time that I met winemaking Englishman, Jonathan Hesford was at... more »

A taste of Salt & Old Vines

by  |  18-09-2012

We came across this quite wonderful excerpt from a soon-to-be-written book titles, Salt & Old Vines at Unbound, a rather new website that uses a novel way to produce well, novels. …There are two types... more » We came across this quite wonderful excerpt from a soon-to-be-written book titles,... more »