Blog

Winemakers harvesting grapes at a Spanish vineyard

The time is ripe

The livelihoods of grape growers and winemakers depends on the harvest. And the success of the harvest depends more than anything on one thing – timing.

The time is ripe

The livelihoods of grape growers and winemakers depends on the harvest. And the success of the harvest depends more than anything on one thing – timing.

The Spanish village of Campisabalos

Getting away from it all

We take a couple of days away from the city and are reminded what Spanish wine is really all about.

Getting away from it all

We take a couple of days away from the city and are reminded what Spanish wine is really all about.

Meet the Tinaja

Meet the Tinaja

An ancient winemaking vessel that could possibly be the perfect symbol for modern Spanish wine.

Meet the Tinaja

An ancient winemaking vessel that could possibly be the perfect symbol for modern Spanish wine.

An 'insect hotel' at the Lagravera vineyard

Biodynamics in the vineyard

We take a look at how modern winemakers are tuning their methods to the rhythm of nature, and what effect it has on the finished wine.

Biodynamics in the vineyard

We take a look at how modern winemakers are tuning their methods to the rhythm of nature, and what effect it has on the finished wine.

White wine grapes hanging on a vine

“You could have brought something Spanish!”

We make the case for Chardonnay to be considered as Spanish as any native grape, despite its international ubiquity.

“You could have brought something Spanish!”

We make the case for Chardonnay to be considered as Spanish as any native grape, despite its international ubiquity.

Interior shot of a wine shop

€150,000 a bottle? It's a steal!

As Spain's most notorious wine thieves get put behind bars, we examine what it is about fine wine that attracts the not-so-petty criminals.

€150,000 a bottle? It's a steal!

As Spain's most notorious wine thieves get put behind bars, we examine what it is about fine wine that attracts the not-so-petty criminals.

The logo for the Matador Manifesto

Grabbing the bull by the horns

How Madrid’s Club Matador found itself at the centre of a Spanish wine transformation.

Grabbing the bull by the horns

How Madrid’s Club Matador found itself at the centre of a Spanish wine transformation.

Barrels in a wine cellar

Fino vs Manzanilla - what's the difference?

We take a closer look at two fine examples from the sherry world - and try to clarify how they differ.

Fino vs Manzanilla - what's the difference?

We take a closer look at two fine examples from the sherry world - and try to clarify how they differ.

The Barcelona Wine Week logo

Barcelona Bound

With tempting new rail bargains on the Madrid to Barcelona route, a day out in the Catalan capital is practically cheaper than staying at home and it’s a perfect way...

Barcelona Bound

With tempting new rail bargains on the Madrid to Barcelona route, a day out in the Catalan capital is practically cheaper than staying at home and it’s a perfect way...

A blackboard with the score 10 out of 10 written on it in chalk

Our producers are getting the highest praise

See which of our producers are being singled out by Jose Peñín, founder of Spain’s highly regarded Peñin Guide, and Jancis Robinson, one of the wine world’s best-loved critics.

Our producers are getting the highest praise

See which of our producers are being singled out by Jose Peñín, founder of Spain’s highly regarded Peñin Guide, and Jancis Robinson, one of the wine world’s best-loved critics.

A female fortune teller waving her hands over a crystal ball

What does 2023 have in store for Spanish wine?

The new year is well and truly underway and this week we’ve been asking friends and contacts from the Spanish wine world to share predictions for 2023.

What does 2023 have in store for Spanish wine?

The new year is well and truly underway and this week we’ve been asking friends and contacts from the Spanish wine world to share predictions for 2023.

Close up of a man's hand writing on a notepad

New Year's Resolutions for 2023

So, 2023 is well and truly underway so it's time to open the windows, let in a blast of fresh air and make some resolutions for the year to come.

New Year's Resolutions for 2023

So, 2023 is well and truly underway so it's time to open the windows, let in a blast of fresh air and make some resolutions for the year to come.

Bottles of wine amongst Chrsitmas adornments

Planning your Christmas Day drinks timetable

A few thoughts on drinks choreography for all those moments of Christmas Day when you’re prepping, digesting or sitting around chatting and fancy a little something.

Planning your Christmas Day drinks timetable

A few thoughts on drinks choreography for all those moments of Christmas Day when you’re prepping, digesting or sitting around chatting and fancy a little something.

A table set for Christmas dinner

Which Spanish wine to drink at Christmas 2022

With Christmas round the corner, we’ve put together a handy guide on which wines to drink with your festive food.

Which Spanish wine to drink at Christmas 2022

With Christmas round the corner, we’ve put together a handy guide on which wines to drink with your festive food.

Decorations hanging from a Christmas tree

New wines for Christmas!

With Black Friday behind us and Christmas now just around the corner, we've been sniffing out some new wines to add to our collection in time for your festive celebrations.

New wines for Christmas!

With Black Friday behind us and Christmas now just around the corner, we've been sniffing out some new wines to add to our collection in time for your festive celebrations.

Matthew Desouter and Ben Giddings standing at the top of a steeply sloping vineyard in the Spanish wine region of Sierras de Malaga

A trip to Málaga

In which we stop tinkering with the website, pack up the van and head down to Malaga for an in-depth look at the Costa del Sol.

A trip to Málaga

In which we stop tinkering with the website, pack up the van and head down to Malaga for an in-depth look at the Costa del Sol.

Two hands mixing a variety of coins on a white surface

In praise of Spanish tax - no really!

Spain churns out over 6 billion bottles of wine every year and we don’t pay a cent of duty on any of it. That's something worth celebrating.

In praise of Spanish tax - no really!

Spain churns out over 6 billion bottles of wine every year and we don’t pay a cent of duty on any of it. That's something worth celebrating.

Dust-covered barrels in a wine cellar

It's an age thing

Why do we so often think of barrel-aged wine as somehow being “proper” whilst young and lighter-bodied wines are almost seen as frivolous?

It's an age thing

Why do we so often think of barrel-aged wine as somehow being “proper” whilst young and lighter-bodied wines are almost seen as frivolous?

An empty beach in autumn in Galicia

Autumn in Galicia

As autumn kicks in, we catch up with our friend, Benedetto Carcieri from Atlantic Galician Wineries, and ask him what life looks like over the next few weeks.

Autumn in Galicia

As autumn kicks in, we catch up with our friend, Benedetto Carcieri from Atlantic Galician Wineries, and ask him what life looks like over the next few weeks.

Grape pickers in a Spanish vineyard at harvest time

Harvest in La Mancha

As everyone drifts back slowly from the beach, we’ve been out on the road visiting Bodegas y Viñedos Verum, one of our newest producers from La Mancha, as they begin...

Harvest in La Mancha

As everyone drifts back slowly from the beach, we’ve been out on the road visiting Bodegas y Viñedos Verum, one of our newest producers from La Mancha, as they begin...

A straight road disappearing off to the horizon

All roads lead to wine

One of the great things about Spanish motorways is that whichever one you’re on, you’ll almost certainly be close to a winemaking region.

All roads lead to wine

One of the great things about Spanish motorways is that whichever one you’re on, you’ll almost certainly be close to a winemaking region.

A cocktail sitting on the edge of a swimming pool

Cocktails by the pool

Summer is here, but when the temperature soars, wine is often the last thing people reach for. So we've put together a set of 3 wine-based cocktails to help you...

Cocktails by the pool

Summer is here, but when the temperature soars, wine is often the last thing people reach for. So we've put together a set of 3 wine-based cocktails to help you...

An eccentric old man in a straw boater and blazer, wearing a monocle, sitting at a laptop outdoors

Sorry about the unctuosity

We try to keep our language simple. We want the world of wine to be accessible to all and we know that stuffy language can really put people off. But...

Sorry about the unctuosity

We try to keep our language simple. We want the world of wine to be accessible to all and we know that stuffy language can really put people off. But...

A helicopter dousing flames over a forest fire in Spain

Strong in the face of adversity

With wildfires destroying more hectares of countryside by mid-July than during the whole of 2021, agricultural workers are once again having to be strong in the face of adversity.

Strong in the face of adversity

With wildfires destroying more hectares of countryside by mid-July than during the whole of 2021, agricultural workers are once again having to be strong in the face of adversity.

Half an orange being splashed with water

Fancy a splash of orange?

An increasing number of wine commentators are talking about orange wine this summer. But what exactly is it? And where can you buy some?

Fancy a splash of orange?

An increasing number of wine commentators are talking about orange wine this summer. But what exactly is it? And where can you buy some?

Two pop CDs lying on the floor

Why Gary Barlow beats Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue may have become one of the UK’s fastest growing wine brands, but we think Gary Barlow has the edge on her. Read on to find out why.

Why Gary Barlow beats Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue may have become one of the UK’s fastest growing wine brands, but we think Gary Barlow has the edge on her. Read on to find out why.

a collage of 3 women winemakers

Women at the forefront of the Spanish wine world

We throw a spotlight on women whose love of wine has driven them into the vineyard and to the forefront of Spanish wine.

Women at the forefront of the Spanish wine world

We throw a spotlight on women whose love of wine has driven them into the vineyard and to the forefront of Spanish wine.

A landscape shot of a river and lush green riverbanks in Galicia in Spain

Galicia's green and pleasant land

With green landscapes, windswept beaches, mountains and river valleys, Galicia offers a side of Spain many visitors rarely see.

Galicia's green and pleasant land

With green landscapes, windswept beaches, mountains and river valleys, Galicia offers a side of Spain many visitors rarely see.

A landscape shot of a vineyard in Catalunya

Catalunya a paradise for the vine

With mild winters, long, hot summers and quite low rainfall, Catalunya really is a paradise for the vine

Catalunya a paradise for the vine

With mild winters, long, hot summers and quite low rainfall, Catalunya really is a paradise for the vine

A collage of images including sherry glasses on a table, sherry barrels in a cellar and a 'venenciador' pouring sherry

A Journey into the World of Sherry

"I had often enjoyed a glass of cool, crisp fino but one night I found, in a bottle labelled “palo cortado” what seemed like a new world."

A Journey into the World of Sherry

"I had often enjoyed a glass of cool, crisp fino but one night I found, in a bottle labelled “palo cortado” what seemed like a new world."

Red wine grapes hanging on a vine

5 Spanish Wine Grapes to Try

Here are five lesser-known Spanish wine grapes that should definitely be on your radar. 

5 Spanish Wine Grapes to Try

Here are five lesser-known Spanish wine grapes that should definitely be on your radar. 

An aerial view of the River Duero in Spain

Rioja vs Ribera del Duero

Order a glass of red wine in any bar in Spain and you'll almost always be asked “Rioja or a Ribera?”. But what exactly is the difference between the two?

Rioja vs Ribera del Duero

Order a glass of red wine in any bar in Spain and you'll almost always be asked “Rioja or a Ribera?”. But what exactly is the difference between the two?