Articles

The future of Pingus in 2014, 2015, & 2016

by  |  27-03-2017

Peter Sisseck and his winery, Dominio de Pingus should need little if any introduction to those who know Spanish wines. An enologist by study, he found his way to Ribera del Duero, encountered some fine,... 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 »

Bodegas Roda – Sela 2013

by  |  01-12-2016

Rioja is a place that continuously confuses me. It’s easy to hate on it simply because there are so many cheap wines produced from under its DOC mark–that extra ‘C’ meaning Calidad or Quality. Unfortunately... more »

The Grapes of Spain

by  |  28-09-2016

If there is one native Spanish grape that a typical wine drinker will know, it is Tempranillo, and for most consumers, the story ends there. In the second half of the 20th century, it was... more »

Catalan BBQ wine gets a new look: Castell del Remei Gotim

by  |  04-07-2016

It’s been four Julys in a row that I’ve not been in the US for Independence Day on the 4th. This isn’t something that I consider to be the utmost of tragedies as it’s a... more »
Definitely a different take on the Burgundy bottle

Ribera del Guadiana & Pago Los Balancines – Mata Negra 2012

by  |  24-03-2016

This bottle was another random find at Lidl which is quickly becoming my go-to shop for playing “Wine Roulette”. To be embarrassingly honest, I thought it was a bottle from Ribera del Duero and while... more »

In The Glass: Finca Parera – Faust 1.0 (2010)

by  |  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 »

Tasting Rioja in Bodegas Lan

by  |  07-12-2015

For many people, a bottle of Lan might be their first bottle of Rioja or even Spanish wine for that matter. This winery has done a tremendous job in getting solid distribution in a great... more »

The wines of Bodegas Hermanos Peciña

by  |  11-10-2015

I recently received a set of samples from Bodegas Hermanos Peciña located in the Alta region of Rioja. When confronted with Rioja wines I generally know what to expect (although this is indeed changing) in... more »

Crowdfunding Cepas de la Culebra

by  |  30-09-2015

The term “sharing economy” really and truly needs to die and most things associated with it can go along for the ride. In this era of Uber and Airbnb, there is little that truly motivates... more »