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Wine regionsJumilla: a story of resiliency and survivalAmaya Cervera | May 28th, 2024 Despite the threat of climate change, Jumilla has mastered dry farming. The area relies on high elevation, soils with excellent water retention and a highly resistant grape variety that can withstand extreme conditions. |
Wine regionsNavarra’s fate is inextricably linked to GarnachaAmaya Cervera | October 22nd, 2023 Despite a dramatic loss of land, this variety is the strongest binding element in a vast region with diverse landscapes and climatic conditions, and the one behind its most exciting recent releases. |
Wine regionsBobal, a hidden gem among bulk wines in Ribera del JúcarAmaya Cervera | January 17th, 2023 In an appellation where cooperatives are dominant, a small group of local and external producers are unlocking the potential of old vine Bobal grown on stony soils and begin to define a voice of their own for the region. |
Wine regionsArribes: A hidden treasure in the Duero River valleyAmaya Cervera | October 19th, 2021 On the border with Portugal, one of the most remote, overlooked regions in the Duero River valley is gaining interest thanks to its fascinating landscapes, the singularity of its soils and an unusual wealth of grape varieties. |
Wine regionsWhat to expect from the new Bierzo categoriesAmaya Cervera | June 22nd, 2021 The first wines labelled as villa (village) and paraje (lieux-dit) in Bierzo are those from the 2018 and 2019 vintages. This is my account of the new categories and the quality of the wines after a recent trip to the region. |
Wine regionsThe metamorphosis of txakoliAmaya Cervera | October 13th, 2020 A better knowledge of the territory and new styles have brought profound changes to txakoli in the Basque Country. Unless you are familiar with brands and producers, the contents of a bottle can range nowadays from predictable to highly surprising. |
Wine regionsWhat does it take for Ribeira Sacra to become a top wine region? (and II)Amaya Cervera | December 10th, 2019 In the second part of our journey across this fascinating, rugged Galician wine region, we focus on the soils, the topography, the increasing number of grape varieties available to producers and the ageing ability of the area’s top wines. |
Wine regionsWhat does it take for Ribeira Sacra to become a top wine region? (I)Amaya Cervera | November 27th, 2019 With wine critics raving about its stunning landscapes and a plethora of excellent wines on the market, Ribeira Sacra's future hinges on delving deeper into its native varieties and exploring its terroirs in depth. |
Wine regionsDuero, the plural riverAmaya Cervera | September 12th, 2018 This is a summary of the presentation that Fernando Mora MW and I delivered at the Duero International Wine Fest held in Burgos last Friday. Our goal was to include the Duero among the great wine rivers of the world. |
Wine regionsExploring the alluring charms of ValdeorrasAmaya Cervera | July 10th, 2018 Despite its size (1,200Ha under vine), Valdeorras has become a hot location to produce high-quality whites thanks to the many virtues of Godello, its local variety. But wine lovers should also pay attention to its reds. |
Wine regionsMallorca: Pure Mediterranean styleAmaya Cervera | February 20th, 2018 Wines from Mallorca are thriving. As the island’s buoyant local market drives sales, producers are recovering both their Mediterranean soul and indigenous grapes after an inescapable period marked by international varieties. |
Wine regionsExploring Ribera del Duero with maps and factsAmaya Cervera | September 20th, 2017 SWL subscribers and those willing to sign for our weekly newsletter can download our presentation of Ribera del Duero including a map of soils and basic facts about one of Spain’s top red wine regions. |
Wine regionsRioja in the 21st century: styles and categories of wineAmaya Cervera | March 15th, 2017 Three wide subareas and three aging categories (Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva) are not enough to explain a vast, complex wine area like Rioja. SWL charts its evolution and brings a guide to understand the region’s wines. |
Wine regionsCangas: from coal mines to fine winesPedro Ballesteros MW | February 7th, 2017 Mines and wine have a shared past in the world’s history. In Spain, there is a great example in Cangas, a region in Asturias which came close to losing its vineyards. Today it is gradually reviving thanks to its unique scenery and grape varieties. |
Wine regionsTenerife wines fall under the spell of the volcanoYolanda Ortiz de Arri | January 25th, 2017 Canary Wine stopped being the island’s most sought-after product a long time ago, but the wines of Tenerife and its neighboring islands resonate again among experts and consumers thanks to a bunch of producers set on letting the world know about their |
Wine regionsTerra Alta: charting new roads for GarnachaAmaya Cervera | September 14th, 2016 Accounting for 33% of the total plantings of White Garnacha worldwide, Terra Alta has also started exploring the potential of its red wines. This unsung appellation in the far south of Catalonia is an interesting mix of landscape, architecture and wines. |
Wine regionsRufete grapes put Sierra de Salamanca on the wine mapAmaya Cervera | July 20th, 2016 Despite its small size, Sierra de Salamanca boasts an enchanting scenery, interesting soils and a precious wine treasure: Rufete is a floral, delicate variety which fits in perfectly with the trend towards less-structured, Burgundy-style wines. |
Wine regionsExtremadura wines: in search of identityAmaya Cervera | March 16th, 2016 This huge region in southwestern Spain is far from being identified with a wine style of its own. Could this lack of definition actually be a blessing? |
Wine regionsThe uncertain future of Málaga’s sweet winesAmaya Cervera | December 16th, 2015 SWL explores the delicious rarity of an appellation which is almost entirely devoted to sweet wines; a captivating mix of landscape, history and complex winemaking traditions which are suitably apt to enjoy during the Christmas season. |
Wine regionsThe breathtaking beauty of Gredos in picturesAmaya Cervera | October 27th, 2015 Pepe Franco’s pictures portray both dramatic landscapes and everyday tasks in Gredos, managing to capture the essence of a unique landscape, its vineyards and people. Find out more about this rugged and beautiful Spanish wine region. |
Wine regionsToro: the land of hearty reds and old vinesAmaya Cervera | March 18th, 2015 If there is a Spanish wine region capable of enveloping your palate, that is certainly Toro. Its powerful reds are shaped, in no small part, by the pre-phylloxera vineyards found in this area. |