I had a case of wine delivered today. One that I paid for! Yes, occasionally we wine writers buy wine. Well, at least I do. Apart from anything else, a…
Albariño series (2) Granbazán Etiqueta Ámbar 2016 Rías Baixas, Spain
The second wine in this series on Albariño, that wonderful grape from northwest Spain and Portugal, is another from Rias Baixas. This one is a bit of a surprise: I…
A lovely meal at DOP Porto with some nice wines
Had a great meal last night at DOP restaurant in Porto, with some really creative riffing on a Portuguese theme from Rui Paula. We began with a fruity scallop carpaccio,…
López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva Blanco 2004
There’s something about López de Heredia, the ultra-traditional Rioja bodega. These are not easy wines, and require time. They are made in quite an oxidative way, and there’s no emphasis on…
Pio X 1903 from Gonzalez Byass: an ancient Moscatel
There’s something special about very old wines. While I was tasting through the Las Palmas sherries with Martin Skelton last week, I got a chance to try this remarkable wine,…
The new Las Palmas sherries from Gonzalez Byass
Popped into the cosy and wonderful Bar Pepito yesterday to try the new Las Palmas sherries from Gonzalez Byass, with Martin Skelton. This year’s selection, 2017, was made by Pedro…
Torre de Oña Martelo Reserva 2012 Rioja, Spain
This is a new wine from La Rioja Alta’s sister property in Rioja, Torre de Oña. They bought the estate in 1995 with a view to doing something a bit…
Albariño series (1) – Eulogio Pomares Parcelarios (I) 2015, Rías Baixas
I’m beginning a series on Albariño, which is a white grape from north east Spain and Portugal (where it is known as Alvarinho). My mission over the next few months…
Lagar de Cervera 2016, a classic Albariño
Lagar de Cervera is owned by La Rioja Alta. Back in the 1980s they realized that their white Riojas weren’t the best ever wines, and began searching for a companion…