Category Archives: Spanish Wines

Telmo Rodriguez, telling it like it is

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Bill Ward

I’m jealous of my friend Kent Benson. Not just because he’s an accomplished wine educator at Swirl wine school in St. Cloud, but because he got to take in a talk last night by one of Spain’s greatest winemakers, Telmo … Continue reading →

Posted in Spanish Wines, Winemakers | 4 Comments

Wines of the Week: March 11-17

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Sometimes a man (or a woman, at least in the case of my way better half) needs a wine with some dirt and smoke on the nose and palate. A wine like the 2010 Lo Nuevo Sorbo a Sorbo Catalyud Old Vines Garnacha ($12). This … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, Spanish Wines | 3 Comments

Wines of the Week: Dec. 31-Jan. 6

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Mazel tov! The Israelis are making some seriously good juice, especially in the cooler Golan Heights area. The Yarden Mount Hermon Golan Heights White ($12) is a layered blend with lush fruit and surprising complexity for the price. Lots of tropical fruit and … Continue reading →

Posted in European Wines, Spanish Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Dec. 24-30

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Sparkling wine just keeps getting better in many corners of the world, not least of them Spain. The wines of Cava are generally delightful and often superb; a fabulous intro is the Mont-Marcal Cava Brut Reserve 2009 ($15), lovely … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubbles, French Wines, Spanish Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Oct. 22-28

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Most people automatically think tempranillo when the topic of Spanish reds comes up, but I lean a bit toward garnacha finding the better expression, up and down the price spectrum, in that Iberian country. One of the best cheaper examples is … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, Spanish Wines | Leave a comment

Profile: Eric Solomon, importer

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Bill Ward

It’s hard not to become quickly enamored with a guy who proclaims that “riesling is my beer,” confides that *I don’t have to be the first, but I like to be the best” and can even make a Henry “I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in French Wines, Spanish Wines, Wine People | 1 Comment

Wines of the Week: Sept. 24-30

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: To cap an evening dominated by large-and-in-charge reds, it’s always nice to have a clean, refreshing white. I was reminded of that last night in the early a.m. when my friend Lee brought out a Felines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet ($11). It was appropriately … Continue reading →

Posted in French Wines, Spanish Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Aug. 19-25

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Maybe it’s the gorgeous aromatics. Or the fresh, vibrant fruit. Or the kick-ass dry, spicy finish. Actually, of course, it’s all three that make the Consumano Sicilia Insolia such a stone-cold delight. The last three vintages (2009-11) have featured bright, sunshine-y ripeness … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Wines, Spanish Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Aug. 6-12

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I have a new favorite white grape. (I’m rather fickle that way.) It’s godello, and it finds phenomenal expression in the A Coroa Valdeorras Godello. At $19, this one barely ekes in under the “Occasion” category, and it certainly would fit with a great … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon Wines, Spanish Wines | Comments Off

Wines of the Week: June 11-17

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: If anything cooler is happening in the wine world than the proliferation of tasty rosés from all over, I’d love to hear about it. But there’s still nothing quite like the sunny-day bliss of one from southern France. The Chateau de … Continue reading →

Posted in French Wines, Pink Wines, Spanish Wines | Leave a comment