Rioja – THE GRAPE BELT

Take Your Time

Two weeks ago I was all set to take part in a virtual Zoom tasting of Bodegas LAN’s top cuvee, a reserva named Culmen, with a group of other wine writers and representatives of the winery. (https://bodegaslan.com/en/) As with too many things in this plague year, my day fell apart and I was unable to participate. […]

by Tom Riley

Making New Friends in Rioja

Most wineries, except for the behemoths that are proud of their size and strength, want you to believe that they are committed more to quality than quantity. They’ll say it to anybody who listens, and keep saying it just in case somebody within shouting distance didn’t get the message. Unfortunately, not all of them are […]

by Tom Riley

Barcelona is Very Far From Normandy

On a map, Barcelona and Normandy are hundreds of miles from each other. On any scale using wine as a measurement, they are galaxies apart. In Normandy, a good wine list is usually a surprise. In Barcelona, the surprise comes when the wine list is anything less than good. Over the course of five days […]

by Tom Riley

Thirty Wines For $10 Or Less

Back in June, Wine & Spirits magazine did a big favor for bargain shoppers everywhere with its “Top 100 Values of the Year” edition. Most interesting for the hard-core coupon clippers were those selections at $10 and under. With the holidays in full swing, and the need for potent potables looking like a run-away train, […]

by Tom Riley

Bend And Stretch. Reach For The Stars

This weekend in the wine shop was pretty typical, with the usual parade of characters. Stalwart shoppers who always know what they want, and the occasional newcomer with a plan and a list. And then the regular sprinkling of the lost and confused, who are really the best customers, because they need and want so much […]