I was impressed by this classically styled Rioja from La Rioja Alta. In a good vintage, like 2008, Viña Ardanza is a bit of a steal. It’s available from The…
Two orange wines from Spain
Last night I drank two orange wines from Spain. Both different in style, but both very good. The first, a distinctive Albillo, was on the list at the brill Morito. The…
Marqués de Murrieta Dalmau 2009 Rioja, Spain
This is a single vineyard wine from leading Rioja producer Marques de Murrieta. It’s a selection from the 60 year-old Canajas vineyard, which is part of the 300 hectare Ygay…
Some new Torres wines, with Miguel
Miguel Torres was in town, to discuss Torres’ environmental concerns, and also to show some new wines. I have great respect for Mr Torres, who has made the environment and…
Tapas crawling in Logroño, Rioja
I’m in Rioja, on a short trip with Vintae, a dynamic wine company looking to make authentic wines across several Spanish wine regions. They’re working with organics, marginal vineyards, forgotten…
Viña Tondonia Reserva 2004
This is a lovely wine. Lopez de Heredia is an ultratradtional winery in Rioja, with no concessions made to modernity. I really like their wines, which show lovely complexity, made…
The remarkable Marqués de Riscal City of Wine
Yesterday I visited one of the world’s most remarkable winery buildings. I had dinner at the Marqués de Riscal ‘City of Wine’. I’d heard about Riscal’s bold architecture, but it’s…
At Contino, Rioja, with winemaker Jesús Madrazo
Contino is an estate-based winery, which is unusual in Rioja. It’s based on a 62 hectare vineyard that is at the beginning of Rioja Alavesa, not far from Logroño. The…
Video: reviewing Torres Sangre de Toro, a good honest cheapie
I have a soft spot for Torres. They’re a big company, but they make honest wines. The cheap stuff – the Vina Sol, Vina Esmerelda and the Sangre de Toro…