Tag: Spain
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Snooth Article: Exploring Ribera y Rueda
I had the pleasure in early April to visit two of Spain’s premier wine regions: Rueda and Ribera del Duero. These two regions are crafted some outstanding wines. Rueda is known for its crisp Verdejo, while Ribera del Duero is putting its stamp on Tempranillo.
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Pour a Glass of Summer with Rias Baixas Albariño
Summer is quickly approaching. Now is the time to embrace crisp and refreshing white wines to pair with a warm summer’s day. There is no shortage of refreshing white wines to choose this time of year, but if you want a wine that embraces its home: green as far as the eye can see, salty…
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Dave Phinney: Breaking Rules One Location at a Time
Wines that offer true expressions of terroir must follow certain rules. Wine can be fun but it must adhere to certain guidelines for labeling purposes. Wine is art and poetry but winemaking must follow rules. Wines from certain regions may only be blended with other wines from that region, and only sometimes, as the rules…
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Rueda & Ribera: The Adventure Continues
I am still in the wonderful wine regions of Rueda and Ribera on behalf of Snooth. Actually, as I am typing this we have left Rueda and traveled to Ribera del Duero. It has been an incredible journey. I am sitting at a desk in my hotel room of in a former monastery before dinner…
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Have a Sparkling Valentine’s Day for Under $20
Those who love sparkling wines like myself are constantly trying to convince the masses that a special occasion is not needed to enjoy a glass of bubbles. However, based on sales figures, sparkling wine sales typically increase around a special occasion or holiday event. So if you won’t take my advice and embrace the notion…
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Moro Family Wineries: Allowing the Terroir to Speak
Ribera del Duero DO in northern Spain is smoking hot right now. In 2012 Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded it the coveted Wine Region of the Year. Decanter declared “there is no better time for discovering Ribera del Duero.” And Wine Spectator claimed, “many of the Ribera del Duero wines that have entered the market are…
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For the Love of Cava
Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. Time to celebrate the end of the current year as we welcome the possibilities of New Year. 2016 has been challenging in many ways. However, New Year’s Eve is a perfect time to reflect with gratitude on whatever blessings it held for us. Bubbles are, of course, a classic and…
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Garnacha: The Workhorse Grape
Very few grapes are as versatile as Garnacha. It is a beautiful blending grape widely revered for its contribution to Rhone Valley wines. It is known as a “blue zone” wine for the health benefits it contributes to the centurions living in Sardegna, and it is believed by some to be the oldest grape in…
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Tasting Rioja Alavesa: Viñedos y Bodegas de la Marquesa – Valserrano
We spent our first morning in Basque Country in the Alava Province. It is an area of great history juxtaposed with modern structures. For example, we visited a vineyard containing stone foundations from medieval wine presses located not far from Bodegas Ysios. If the landscape contains contradiction the families and wines do not. Rioja Alavesa…
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Rockin Red Blog is Heading to Basque Country
I have some exciting news! Rockin Red Blog is heading to Basque Country! I have been invited to share the presentation I gave at Vinisud 2016 in Montpellier, France in February at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. It will be a quick trip. I am leaving tomorrow and returning Sunday. However, on Thursday, Friday, and…
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