No wine snobs here, just enthusiastic drinkers of all wines
The Catalan region of Spain has 10 Denominación de Origen (DO) wine areas including one, Priorat, which is a level up at Denominación de Origen Qualificada (DOQ). The DO Cataluña seems to be a catch all for those wines not made in these regions. That doesn’t mean there are some great wines under this DO. … Continue reading DO Cataluña
This is the second grape used both in Northern Portugal and Galicia in Spain. I have only ever tried this variety blended with other grapes such as Treixadura, Albariño and Godello. Loureira is usually present in low quantities of 10% to 15% so I’ve no idea what it tastes like in its own. According to … Continue reading Loureira Grape Variety
Associated mainly with the vinho verde wines of Northern Portugal this grape is also widely used over the border in Galicia, Spain. In particular it is the principle grape in the Ribeiro D.O. where it is blended with Loureira. I have tried some great Treixadura blends from Galicia and some I wasn’t so keen on. … Continue reading Treixadura Grape Variety
The Galicia region of Spain is famous for its white wines. For most people this means a crisp Albariño from the Rias Baix D.O. Whilst I agree this is a lovely wine it is only one of four wine denominations in Galicia all of whom produce delicious whites. The oldest denominación de origin in Galicia … Continue reading Ribeiro D.O.
As always after tasting a new wine I look for websites that can give me more information about said wine: the grapes used, wine producing methods and the area. When looking for additional info on English Sparkling Wines, lo and behold what should crop up but a website called EnglishSparklingWine.co.uk. I do like it when … Continue reading English Sparkling Wine
A bit of information about this Denominacion de Origin in Valencia. The first is an article by Decanter.com in English. The second is a link to the homepage of the Utiel-Requena which unfortunately is only available in Spanish. Understanding DO Utiel-Requena Utiel-Requena Regulating Body
Check out the article below (click on the image) by spanishwinelover.com entitled ‘Bobal grape: Can the ugly duckling become a swan?’. The title surprised me because I’ve always liked Bobal red wines. They have the fruity palate that I enjoy and rarely overwhelm me with tannins and acidity. So it was a bit of a … Continue reading Bobal Grape Variety
Check out this article by winefolly.com to learn more if the origins and flavour profile of this German Noble Grape. I love the winefolly.com articles as they are easy to follow and informative, but I am disappointed that they fail to list Somontano in Spain as one of the ares that cultivate this grape variety. … Continue reading Gewürztraminer Grape Variety
The Denominación de Origin de Somontano is well worth getting to know. It is Nestled at the base of the Pyrenees in the Province of Huesca in the Aragon region of Spain. As such this Northernly area is colder than most Spanish regions and features grape varieties more usually associated with it’s neighbour France. They … Continue reading D.O. Somontano
One of the noble grapes Sauvignon Blanc is grown just about everywhere. If you drink white wine then you probably drink Sav. Blanc. Originally from South West France where it is used in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé these wines tend to be very dry and herby. Often referred as mineral and nettle flavours. New world Sav. … Continue reading Sauvignon Blanc Grape Variety
The Honest Wine Drinker 