Wine Blog

Cava sales in the UK have seen a marked up-turn in recent years, with some retailers declaring a 50% year on year increase for 2020 & 2021. Speculation suggests this could be as households tighten their belts and choose Cava over Champagne as a better value sparkling wine option. The UK is the 4 th largest export market for D. O. Cava so if the trend continues, we may be seeing a lot more to choose from.But what is Cava? Simply put, Cava is Spain’s version of sparkling wine mad …

For years Rioja has been a story of wood. Specifically, oak. It all started in the 18th century when Don Manuel Esteban Quintano Quintano (so good they named him twice) travelled to Bordeaux.Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition Don Manuel came from a family of winemakers with vineyards in Labastida in Rioja Alavesa. Don Manuel was not sure that he wanted to become a winemaker. Instead, he thought he might follow in his uncles’ footsteps by joining the church (and the Spanish Inq …

Your first sip of a red Rioja - particularly an aged one - can be something of a jolt to the tastebuds. There’s clearly something different and interesting going on. For many of us that first sip was the start of a lifelong love affair with one of Europe’s most historic and interesting wine making regions. In this article I'll be answering your Rioja questions: Where Does Rioja Come From? What Grapes Are Used to Make Rioja? What Are the Rioja Age Classifications? What are the Regional …