Catalan Wines

Spanish wines to feature at Vinisud 2016

by  |  13-11-2015

I received an email the other day announcing that "Spanish Wines" will be featured at the next edition of Vinisud in 2016. For those unfamiliar with this event, it takes place in Montpellier and I... more »

Grenache Day 2015: Wines in review

by  |  21-09-2015

In case you weren't aware, Grenache Day was on the 18th as it's the third Friday of every September. It's a way to promote the profile of the Grenache grape by the Grenache Association as... more »

Viens à Vingrau, a wine excursion in Roussillon

by  |  25-07-2015

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then the French village of Vingrau is flattering the crap out of nearby neighbor Calce. You see, for some time Calce has put on a little annual... more »

Jean Jacques Confuron la Montagne & Burgundy 2012

by  |  23-07-2015

There is, typically a rush of air from the room when a bottle of French wine from the famed region of Burgundy emerges from a cellar. Care is taken upon opening with the foil neatly... more »

Vino de pago, Vi de finca, & Grand Cru

by  |  22-06-2015

It seems that nearly every year now, a new "vi de finca" comes on to the market in Catalunya. Great, what on earth does this mean? And in case that's not enough of a mystery... more »

Lidl & Domaine de Pignan 2008

by  |  30-05-2015

For those unfamiliar with supermarkets in Spain, there are few these days that are good and most verge on repugnant (Mercadona.) One of the ones that has historically been the mecca of all bargain dwellers... more »

A meeting of Grenaches, Les Printemps de Châteauneuf 2015

by  |  20-04-2015

This past 11-13th of April was the sixth edition of Les Printemps de Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Organized by the association of young winegrowers, this year it showcased 86 of the local domaines. The atmosphere is overall quite... 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 »

Lavinia wine theft & ridiculous wines

by  |  07-04-2015 ~ 1 Comment

The first time I stepped in Lavinia in Madrid, I thought, "Wow, what a selection. It'd suck if someone walked out with some of it." Turns out someone must have heard me as thieves made... more »

Going for some Vin’Aquí in Roussillon

by  |  27-03-2015

While there are many wine fairs in Spain, they're generally a spotty affair wherein the winemakers pay a great deal to attend, the attendees have to buy booklets of "drinking" tickets that make each tasting... more »