Jancis Robinson’s book Grapes documents chelva as an old Andalucian grape which is often called lairen. Allowed in the Madrid DO, it seems to be a hearty and disease-resistant variety,... read more →
Massimo Marchiori & Antonella Gerona work on clay and limestone, utilize fiberglass fermentation tanks and old vines of weird grapes. This one bottomed out at 10% ABV, a pink-skinned grape... read more →
Every vintage I find myself in love with this fresh cuvée from Luis, who works fine sandy granitic soils in the Ribeiro. All destemmed, animal without the fur, full of... read more →
I gave this wine from granite and sand to a friend, a total heathen. A guy who peppers most wines, really. He takes a pepper grinder, twirls away and says,... read more →
Jerome Lambert is part of the crowd working on the schist of Rablay-Sur-Layon. That village is rapidly becoming better known for its rebellious winemakers producing dry chenin rather than its... read more →
This is a vibrant cuvée from the young vines planted on the sandy schists of Anjou. There’s broadness on the palate, impact from the schist. There’s a gentle oxidation that... read more →
Château de Bonnezeaux has not produced wines under its own label since the 1980s, having rented its vines. Here’s the first vintage in over thirty years and only possible after... read more →
RAW Fair regular João Tavares de Pina works in the Dão, the region south of Porto. The family has been in vines since the 18th century but it was only... read more →
There are some wines that don’t hit you at first. They sneak up on you and go all heart-throbby. This is one of them. Gabrio Bini is an architect who... read more →
Valli Unité is a hippie organic commune and cooperative just north of Genoa in the easternmost part of Piemonte. The wines here are made with ideals and the last bunch... read more →