Spotlight – Rioja

First off Happy New Year! The themes for the majority of my blogs this year will look at both popular and lesser known wine regions and grape varieties as well as interesting wines I have tasted.  I am as always available to answer any wine questions you may have, just drop me a line. Ok, onto this first post of 2018 – Rioja.  As I am sure most of you know, Rioja is a region in Northern Spain not…

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Juvé & Camps Reserva De La Familia Cava

Still looking for the perfect sparkler to see in the New Year and don’t want to spend the earth?  If so, you definitely want to consider this lovely Cava. Made by the same Traditional method as Champagne but using predominantly Spanish grape varieties (Xarel-Lo, Parellada and Macabeo), this sparkler is made in a ‘Brut Nature’ style - effectively meaning no dosage (sugar) is added post disgorgement,  but if you are imagining this could be too dry then don’t worry,…

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Tarima Monastrell 2015

Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) is a grape that requires a lot of warmth to fully ripen and whilst it is grown in many warm climate regions its tannic, often quite rustic style means the grape tends to be used primarily as part of a blend as opposed to a varietal wine. However I have found a lovely single varietal version from Alicante in Spain that I really recommend! Tarima Monastrell is hugely quaffable!  The esteemed Robert Parker gave this wine…

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