Ah, natural wine! The rebellious teenager of the wine world, always causing a stir with its funky flavors and unpredictable behavior. It’s like the wild child who refuses to conform to society’s expectations. You never know what you’re going to get when you pop open a bottle of natural wine. It’s like playing Russian roulette, but with grapes instead of bullets. Will it taste like […]
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Col di Luna produces sparkling wines at the foot of the Dolomites, upholding a family tradition and a preference for the Brut style. One of their offerings is the Flora rosato, made from a local grape variety called Raboso. This grape is not widely used due to its high tannin levels. I decided to try something different and opted for a wine made using the […]
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This wine hails from Piedmont, a region in Italy that borders France and Switzerland, nestled at the foot of the Alps. The vineyard is owned by the Maccario brothers, who firmly believe in allowing the clean and healthy Barbera fruit to speak the loudest in the final wine. Harvesting takes place between late September and early November when the estate fruit reaches its optimal level […]
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The label on this bottle turned my head, I had to try it and see if the playfulness matched what was inside. I was not let down. Albert Canela and Mariona Vendrell embarked on their winemaking journey in 2011, when they were just twenty years old. Their venture is located in the hills of Conca de Barberà, southwest of Barcelona in Catalonia. With support from […]
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I was searching for a Spanish white wine made from the Verdejo grape, similar in style and flavor to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. However, the shop owner didn’t have any in stock but recommended another wine to me, primarily Albilio Real. This grape offers mostly neutral flavors and a light perfume aroma. Just a short distance west of Madrid, you’ll find Bodegas Bernabeleva. Nestled […]
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Ah, the sweet anticipation of summer! The recent cold snap may have crushed my dreams of warmer days prematurely, but fear not, I believe we are finally crawling our way towards fairer weather and, most importantly, quaffable wines. Yes, my friends, the time has come to rejoice! But before we dive into the delightful world of rosé, let’s take a brief stroll through its captivating […]
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Garnacha de Fuego 2021 $16. (Jorge Ordoñez) 100% Garnacha D.O. Calatayud Let me introduce you to the one and only Breca Garnacha de Fuego! Jorge Ordoñez has always had a knack for bringing a fresh twist to the grape game. And let me tell you, the 2021 vintage is nothing short of lovely, flavorful, and well-balanced. Now, what makes this wine truly extraordinary is the […]
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Lucien Crochet Rose 2021 $36 (Rosenthal Wine Merchant) Loire Valley 100% Pinot Noir Behold the majestic salmon pink in your glass, adorned with a bouquet that whispers sweet juicy orange into your nostrils. It’s got that classic Sancerre structure, the kind that’s clean, full-bodied, and makes your taste buds come alive. Now, fair warning, this bottle might dig a little deeper into your pockets. But […]
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Chateau Peyrassol 2022 Méditerranée, La Croix $17 (Wilson Daniels) Provence 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 2% Carignan In the year 1204, Alphonse II, the Count of Provence, generously handed over the estate to none other than the legendary Order of the Knights Templar. And voila! “Peirasson” officially joined the ranks of the Templar commanderies in the beautiful land of Provence. And let me tell […]
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The Erbaluce came recommended by the wine shop owner having remembered a few whites I had previously bought. He made an excellent choice with this wine. It was just what I was looking for. The other wine I choose was not as good as I was hoping for but for the price it was worth a try. Cieck Erbaluce di Caluso, 2020 DOCG DOCG is […]
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A quick pop-in to a local wine shop yielded tasting one very weird Chertok ‘Midrash’ a grape/cider combination, a Malbec from Cahors, and Populis, a Sauvignon Blanc from Mendocino County. Of the three I decided to buy the Populis. 2022 POPULIS SAUVIGNON BLANC – MENDOCINO COUNTY $25 It’s well made, a bit more of a “gastro” wine as opposed to a sipping/drinking wine. The acidity […]
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Since the closure of Manresa, Bar Zola has become Wilson and Alandra’s new go-to wine bar. We thought it would be a great place for dinner. Upon arrival, we were promptly greeted and seated. Despite not being a white tablecloth establishment, the staff here is well-versed in the finer points of traditional French service. They paid attention to details such as knowing who ordered what, […]
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