Catalan Wines

The Grand Carignan Tasting

by  |  08-01-2018

There existed a time when I was daft to the wiles and wonders of the grape, Carignan. Despite pockets of old vines in California it was essentially a lost variety. Little thought and even less... more »

A book review of “Essi Avellan’s Champagne”

by  |  16-08-2017

What I know of Champagne is purely by obligation. In sommelier studies and other wine courses, given its dominance in the sparkling wine world, Champagne is required knowledge and I know as much as it... more »

A book review of “In Vino Duplicitas”

by  |  08-08-2017

The entire Rudy Kurniawan affair was sordid and I’ve read countless articles about the story since it broke years and years ago. Despite this, Peter Hellman’s new book, “In Vino Duplicitas” brought out many bits... more »

Why not to drink sparkling wines in a Champagne glass

by  |  31-07-2017

For most of July, I’ve been drinking a lot of sparkling wine. While it would seem a natural fit with the hot weather (and it’s not just my imagination) I’ve been tasting a vast array... more »

The Blason Louis experience

by  |  22-06-2017

A few months back, I was contacted by Blason Louis to receive a pack of their wine flaçons. I really had no idea what they were talking about as a bottle for wine is bouteille... more »

New wine protest in le Boulou at the French-Spanish border

by  |  24-05-2017

Heading north from Barcelona Airport, I was greeted to the signs as seen above warning that there was going to be a “manifestation” or protest by the Southern French winemakers on the 23rd of May.... more »

A tasting in Croatia of Garnacha, Garnatxa, & Grenache

by  |  18-03-2017

We’ve arrived to a day and age wherein I don’t understand how someone can’t appreciate Grenache–if not love it. Sure, there are people who are going to only like white wines, or wines with a... more »

Southern French wine fair slap fight

by  |  12-03-2017

With the general corruption in Spanish politics, the short-sighted xenophobia in British politics, and then the… whatever you want to call gaping void into the nether world that’s opened in American politics, I have little... more »

In The Glass: Henry Fessy – Saint Amour 2013

by  |  26-02-2017

I’d tell you that we should all really be drinking more of the Grand Crus from Beaujolais but that’d mean there would be less for me. That’s already happening though as many people have come... more »

All the bubbly fit to drink

by  |  26-01-2017

The clouds part when the middle of January presents itself. This is of course only in the figurative sense as literally, the weather is quite squalid, but this moment of clarity is due to reaching... more »