News

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 »

The growing fraud case of Reserva de la Tierra

by  |  25-10-2021

As I reported in my article for Decanter last week, there’s currently a breaking story of massive wine fraud unfolding in Southern Catalunya. The perpetrator is alleged to be the company, “Reserva de la Tierra”... more »

I tasted these 2€ Spanish wines so you didn’t have to

by  |  04-10-2021

Spain has no problem selling its wines... as long as they're "a good value". This has become a double-edged sword given that the common perception, especially in markets like the UK, is that Spanish wines... more »

In The Glass: Bodegas San Alejandro – Evodia 2019

by  |  03-09-2021

This is a wine I tasted at Bodegas San Alejandro for the DO Calatayud Report last spring. Quite simply, it’s 100% Grenache, aged in concrete (tanks and eggs) with only neutral French and American oak... more »

The wine trains of Spain

by  |  01-09-2021

For those coming to Spain I’ve noticed that there’s a tendency to underestimate just how big Spain actually is. Spoiler, it’s big, like, California big but squarish instead of rectangularish. Travelers often think it’s a... more »

El Escocés Volante – Flying around Calatayud

by  |  02-08-2021

I’ve never lacked for wine on the table when in the presence of Norrel Robertson. Whether while it’s having post-judging drinks after a wine competition in Madrid or a Master of Wine seminar in Rioja,... more »

Villota, a bend in the river

by  |  22-07-2021

Laserna, Álava, at the border of Basque Country and La Rioja doesn’t offer terribly much in terms of sights. A main road narrowly winds its way through the few houses of the village, the old... more »

Wines outside the lines: Bodegas Frontonio

by  |  30-06-2021

Alpartir, Spain isn’t a destination on any wine map of the country. Even in a non-wine context, I’d never heard a whisper of the place before. While it’s about 10km south of a larger town... more »

The mightiness of Mencía

by  |  23-06-2021

For the June, 2021 edition of wine magazine World of Fine Wine, I’m happy to have contributed an extensive profile of the Spanish grape variety, Mencía. For those unfamiliar with this publication, it’s an impressive... more »
Map of new Cava zones, DO Cava

Spanish wine DO overs?

by  |  21-06-2021

Various news outlets have been circulating the new changes to DO Cava recently that are mainly about the application of subzone names and a change to the grouping of aging tiers. Why are they circulating... more »