A Monastrell from Artadi

Liked this. It’s a bit of a bruiser, but there’s lots of interest. It’s an ambitious Mourvedre (aka Monastrell) from the south of Spain, made by Rioja company Artadi, and imported into the UK by FMV.

Artadi El Sequé 2009 Alicante, Spain
14.5% alcohol. 100% Monastrell, which is the same as Mourvèdre. Powerful and intense with [...]

Old VORS Sherries from Harveys

Old Sherry is fabulous. It is one of the wine world’s great treasures, although it doesn’t really get the limelight that it deserves.

Here are three VORS wines from Harveys, which retail at £20.82 each for 50 cl. That’s not cheap, but these are very impressive, complex wines. All are available only from  www.thedrinkshop.com in the [...]

Baron de Ley's Graciano and Maturana

Following on from my recent report of new varieties in Rioja, I was pleased to see that Tesco are now stocking two wines from Rioja producer Baron de Ley’s new Varietales range. They consist of a Maturana and a Graciano, and both are competitively priced at £8.99.

I’ll be honest: both might have been slightly better [...]

A lovely natural Garnacha from Bodegas Ponce - Buena Pinta

Continuing a bit of an Iberian theme here on the world’s second oldest wine blog, this is a wine that I can heartily recommend. Imported into the UK by the fabulous www.indigowine.com, it’s a natural expression of Garnacha/Grenache that scores high for its drinkability and elegance. I’ve reviewed other wines from Ponce here.

Bodegas Ponce Buena [...]

Having some fun with new wave Spanish whites

I’ve been enjoying a good run of Spanish whites of late.

Of course, Spain is best known for its reds. Increasingly, though, the whites have begun to impress. Here are a couple from The Wine Society with lots of interest, following on from the excellent Verd Albera I blogged on a few days ago.

Tomàs Cusiné Auzells [...]

New varieties in Rioja

I’m currently in the process of writing up a series based on a visit to Rioja. The latest instalment involves Valdemar, who are doing some interesting work with new varieties in Rioja.

One that is completely new is Tempranillo Blanco, which is a white variety that was discovered in the middle of a vineyard a decade [...]

A great value white wine from Spain

This has to be my best value white of the year. It’s part of an excellent offer of Iberian whites by the Wine Society, and after I tasted it I looked it up and was amazed to find it was under £10 by quite a distance.

Marti Fabra Verd Albera 2010 Emporda, Spain
13.5% alcohol. Beautifully aromatic [...]

Video: Tio Pepe Fino En Rama

Here’s a short film of me tasting the new (2011) release of Gonzalez Byass’ Tio Pepe Fino En Rama. It’s a sherry taken from the cask in spring when the flor is at its thickest. It’s then bottled unfined and unfiltered for early drinking. Remarkable stuff.

Video: tasting schist - Torres Salmos Priorat and Tons de Duorum

Two wines with a common connection: schist.

Ponce's Pino: a wonderful natural Bobal

I’m really impressed by the portfolio of Spanish wines that UK agency business Indigo Wine has put together. Agents like this, who are run by people who love wine, are inquisitive, and are prepared to hand sell relatively unsung gems, are the unsung heroes of the wine world.

This is one of their wines. It’s a [...]