Catalan Wines

When “natural” comes a knockin’. Mascorrubí Heretat 1297 – Annat 2017

by  |  09-07-2018

Sometime back I was sent a couple of wines from a local region that actually had “natural” writ large upon the label. This was a new one to me as anyone producing wines of this... more »

Merger in DO Montsant: El Masroig & la Serra d’Almos join forces

by  |  05-07-2018

On June 30th, the cooperative cellars of El Masroig and Serra d’Almos announced a full merger of their two respective entities. Unlike neighboring DOQ Priorat, the cooperatives in DO Montsant still drive the majority of... more »

The Xarel·lo grape. Or is it Xarello, Xarel.lo, or Xarel-lo?

by  |  25-06-2018

For those who may not know it, Xarel·lo is a wonderful white grape that, as far as we know, is native to the Penedès region of Catalunya. Able to give an upright, structured backbone as... more »

Old co-op, new tricks. La Vinícola Priorat’s Vi de Vila.

by  |  19-06-2018

On June 9th, La Vinícola del Priorat launched a new series of wines that are all certified under Priorat’s “Vi de Vila”. This certification establishes that 100% of the grapes from the wine came from... more »
Bellmunt del Priorat

Understanding DOQ Priorat’s village wines: Vi de Vila

by  |  15-06-2018

While it’s important to understand the Vino de Pago & Vi de Finca classifications of Spain & Catalunya as they’re region wide, one that’s actually much more interesting and evolving is that of “Vi de... more »

In The Glass: Tomàs Cusiné – Finca Racons 2016

by  |  11-06-2018

Given the new look of DO Costers del Segre, it seems a fitting moment to have a taste of a new release from the region. In this case we’re talking about Finca Racons from Tomàs... more »

DO Costers del Segre gets a much-needed new look

by  |  20-05-2018

If you don’t live in Catalunya and haven’t heard of DO Costers del Segre, you’re very much excused. Actually, even if you do live in Catalunya and haven’t heard of it, I’d be hard pressed... more »

Tast del Decenni 2018: The DOQ Priorat 2008 vintage

by  |  11-05-2018

The 2008 vintage for DOQ Priorat was something of a crossing-the-Rubicon, come-to-Bacchus, everything-has-changed vintage. The wineries started the year coming off of one of their best vintages ever, 2007 (read more) and they ended the... 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 »

Recuperating ancient grape varieties in Pla de Bages

by  |  25-04-2018

Over the last 15 years in Spain, there has been a heavy push to preserve old buildings using public funds that were otherwise crumbling into ruin and oblivion. Some might read this cynically as simply... more »