Articles

The wines of Terrasses du Larzac 2023

by  |  31-01-2023

I’ve wanted to do a full, region-wide tasting of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation in the Languedoc region of Southern France for quite some time. Officially approved only in 2014, they’re one of the newest... more »

Terrasses du Larzac without the appellation

by  | 

Given Languedoc’s size and lack of truly finite appellations, it’s curious how many wineries will use various levels of classification to place their wines as they have the flexibility to do so. This is often... more »

Cul de Cuvée 28-01-2023

by  |  28-01-2023

A bluntly-curated selection of absolutely random bits from around the world of drink. Always served up “mostly fresh” for your enjoyment. The greatest threat for our time (at least in wine) has arrived. Yes, many... more »

Alicia i Josep Viticultors: Tentiber – Vi de Paratge 2019

by  |  26-01-2023

I was recently asked by a colleague, “Do you ever get tired of drinking Priorat wines?” My face must have gone some form of a ghastly confusion as he quickly followed up with, “I mean,... more »

The leopard’s spots of Reserva de la Tierra

by  |  25-01-2023

It was back in October of 2021 when the story broke about massive fraud having been allegedly perpetrated by Spanish company, Reserva de la Tierra which is based in the municipality of Borges del Camp... more »

In The Glass: Château de Gragnos – Lou Daro 2021

by  |  23-01-2023

While not Burgundy, Languedoc is one of the more complex regions in Southern France what with about 25 appellations covering its lands. Given that it’s about 140km long, there’s often a manner of talking about... more »

Why no fame for the wines of Spain?

by  |  18-01-2023 ~ 17 Comments

A few months ago, a wine educator in Texas wrote to me asking who is "influential" in Spanish wine along the lines of writers and educators. Liking a challenge, I started to write up a... more »

Understanding DO Almansa through Piqueras

by  |  16-01-2023

I’m a rather big fan of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver as, amongst many repeating bits within the LWT canon, there are the forceful geography lessons. He’ll start talking about Bolivia with Uruguay highlighted... more »

Viladomat-Aragó, a new take on organic Penedès whites

by  |  12-01-2023

The Penedès region is as vast as it is small. Bisected by an ugly gash that is the AP-7 highway, there are more than 30,000ha of vineyards spread across the plain and into the lower... more »

Wine Twitter is dead, long live Wine Twitter?

by  |  09-01-2023 ~ 4 Comments

The social media party train that left the station in 2006 has gone off the rails since Elon Musk bought it for $44 billion in November, 2022. As if 75% of the staff being laid... more »