Editor’s Note: If you remember, a little while back, Ryan reviewed the book “Valencia, Land of Wine“, written by Joan C. Martin and translated and edited by John Maher. While, in Valencia, we asked John how he felt about writing the occasional piece for us on Valancian wine, being our resident expert and all. And [...]

According to Dictionary.com a Wiki is defined as:
A collaborative website whose content can be edited by anyone who has access to it.
Catavino.net’s definition of the Iberian Wine Wiki is as such:
A repository for our research into the grape varietals and regions of Spain and Portugal.
The main difference between both definitions is the lack [...]

Over the course of the three years we’ve lived in Spain, I really don’t know if I’m any closer to having a solid grasp on the indigenous grape varietals now than I was when we first arrived. The moment I feel confident in a varietal, the rug gets pulled out from underneath me and I’m [...]

Well, we could begin with the obvious, bubbles! Bubbles are fun. They’re playful. And they make every occasion just a touch more festive and cheerful. Each time you’re poured a glass of Cava, you can’t help but find yourself entranced by their journey from the bottom to the top of your flute, eager to escape [...]

Do you ever have those nights when you just want something simple? When anything other than opening a package of meat and putting it directly on the grill sounds too complicated and annoying. A few nights ago, we had this exact experience, debating whether ordering Chinese food wasn’t a bad option; but instead, we opted [...]

Help! I’ve got me self a glass full of violets! I do! I do!
I think every wine writer/aficionado goes through moments where all of their notes seem to run together. Similar descriptors and textures make it appear that we’re tasting the same exact wine over and over again. Sometimes this is laziness and sometimes it’s [...]

I found a few videos on the web today all about Albarino, a grape we featured recently with a Virtual Tasting. Sponsored by Rias Baixas and hosted by Doug Frost, they do a nice job telling people more about this great region and grape. Here’s one of the videos, with a link to a few [...]

Callet is not an internationally known red grape, but one that has made itself a name throughout Mallorca, Spain. In the past, it was considered a rustic grape used only for making young rosés and reds, but has now lent itself to making deep-coloured, low-alcohol blends. When blended with varieties such as Cabernet, Manto Negro, [...]

Mersequera is a white grape primarily used in wine from D.O. Valencia, in addition to D.O. Utiel-Requena, Alicante, Almansa, Tarragona, Vin Vinalopó and Yecla. The grape can also be called, Encanyavella, Exquitxagos, Messeguera, Trobat and Verdosilla. Known as being an extremely adaptable and resilient grape, able to grow in almost any climate or soil type, [...]

Pronounciation: Pick-a-pole
Other known names: Picpoul, Folle Blanche, Piquepoul, Gros Meslier, Picpoul, Folle Blanche, Avello and Picpoule Blanc.
Historically dating back to the 17th century, Picapoll is a grape varietal native to the Languedoc area of France that has currently found its way to the northeast portion of Spain in Catalonia. Found as a red, white and [...]

Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal used to produce white wine. Historically believed to have been named after the village of Chardonnay in France, it is also known by the names Aubaine, Beaunois, Melon Blanc, and, historically Pinot Chardonnay. Famous for it’s minerally whites from Burgundy and in the great Champagnes of France, today Chardonnay [...]

How often do you go googling for something rare and unheard of only to find several references with the exact same description cut and pasted from one site to the other? In the end, you have no clue as to who first posted on the subject as opposed to who conveniently stole content from the original article. Thus was my problem when researching a new grape I stumbled across, Sumoll. It had been recommended to me by a wine shop here in Barcelona called Vila Viniteca.

Pronounciation: Za-rel-oh
Synonyms: Xarello, Pansá
High acid grape native to the Catalan region of Spain. Known for producing highly aromatic wines, it is one member of the trio of Cava grapes. Apricot and Citrus flavors are commonly associated with this grape and with it’s acidty it can make bright refreshing wines. Also culitvated in the regions of [...]

Pronounciation: Pa-re-yada
White grape native to the Catalunya region of Spain. Very productive and of a high quality it is one of the three primary grapes used in the production of Cava. Head to Catalunya and you’ll see it planted from Tarragona up through the Penedés and beyond. Tends to be best in cooler climates where [...]

Pronounciation: Bastardo (Portuguese) -

Synonyms: France - Trousseau or Tressot and in Australia - Cabernet Gros
Bastardo is a red grape used in Portuguese wines. Often blended into port wines it is less robust than other grapes such as Touriga Nacional. In the Alentejo region of southern Portugal you can find varietal wines of Bastardo and [...]