Articles

Southern bubbles to see you through your holidays

by  |  22-12-2021

So… here were are nearly the end of another strange, yet perhaps slightly more manageable year in this “grand” time we find ourselves in. While we may be locking things down again, that doesn’t mean... more »

The Vi Novell class of 2021

by  |  20-12-2021

Unlike last summer when I was writing about the Catalan vi novell wines, now in late fall is the more traditional time for these very, very new wines to be released and drank. Below you... more »

The wines from Trepat in Conca de Barberà 2022

by  |  17-12-2021

It’s obviously been a tough couple of years, leading to the cancelation of countless events and although some are trying to restart, that’s quite precarious and I don’t see this changing any time soon. I... more »

In The Glass: Diana V. Silva – Ilha Tinta Negra 2018

by  |  15-12-2021

There are two things that connect me with the Portuguese island of Madeira. The first is familial as my great-grandmother was from there. Like any rootless Caucasian American I suppose that gives me some kind... more »

A book review of “Inside Burgundy 2nd Ed.”

by  |  13-12-2021

“Hotly anticipated” is a phrase that’s more than a bit overused in the world of wine books. I mean, they’re books and they’re about wine. We’re not talking about Harry Potter sequels here. But if... more »

Cul de Cuvée 11-12-2021

by  |  11-12-2021

A bluntly-curated selection of absolutely random recent bits from around the wine and drink world. Oreos? Oh, gloreos! The big news in the wine world has of course been the Oreo wine by Barefoot. Designed... more »

Best Spanish wines of 2021

by  |  08-12-2021

For the first time I’m doing a Best Spanish Wines list which is accompanying my yearly Best Catalan Wines list. Why are they separate? Some may assume it’s some kind of political statement but the... more »

Best Catalan wines of 2021

by  |  06-12-2021

At the end of each year, I like to look back at all the wines I’ve tasted and pick out those in Catalunya that were either outstanding or represented something notable within various regions. This... more »

Understanding DO Penedès’s ‘Vi de Mas’ certification

by  |  03-12-2021

Last week, an article I wrote for Decanter covered a rather massive number of changes that DO Penedès has planned up through 2030. Some of the highlights are: All vineyards fully-certified as organic by 2025... more »