Whilst in Portugal I wanted to drink Portuguese wines, and whilst the Portuguese wines I drink at home tend to be full and fabulous reds, it was hot in Lisbon, the seafood was divine, and I wanted white wine. Vinho Verde was everywhere and we had some ridiculously cheap yet fully fantastic glasses of “straight… Read More »
I developed a taste for Albariño in Galicia when I completed the Camino de Santiago by bike in 2003. It did give the wine an unfair advantage, being the drink I celebrated the fact that I no longer had to cycle every day during the hottest summer ever recorded in Europe, but I like to think… Read More »
Thee best thing about having to go to Basingstoke is being able to stop off at the Berry Bros & Rudd Outlet on the way home. It gives me a chance to pick up some interesting wines sold by passionate people at a significant discount. It’s a bin-end bonanza so sometimes wines are a little… Read More »
Galicia is wonderful, it’s as pretty as Wales but with warmer weather and better food and drink. Albarino is one of those benefits. The coolness and rain suit it well. If I see a new example I’ll pick it up. Pazo Serantellos smells good, there’s a peachy-apricot juiciness that is really inviting. It’s dry with… Read More »
Autumn is upon us, nights are drawing in and it’s raining again. Rain isn’t always the vine’s best friend but in Galicia it rains almost as much as it does in Wales, yet they still manage to turn out wine. Albariño is a Spanish gem. Made from the same grapes as vinho verde, and just… Read More »
I have a soft spot for Albarino, having cycled to and through Galicia on my way to Santiago and beyond. The area is a lot like Wales, both in geography and rainfall, but has suffered horribly from the devastation of its fishing industry since the Prestige went down spilling crude oil for miles. I had… Read More »
I’m suffering from World Cup withdrawal, and am doing my best to cheer myself up with the Tour de France. With most of the big names out before the start, and my tip for glory, Alejandro Valverde, quitting after breaking his collarbone (wimp!), the field is wide open. Today’s stage winner was Oscar Freire so… Read More »