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Wine regions

Jumilla: a story of resiliency and survival

Amaya 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 regions 2024-05-28 05:05:50

Wine regions

Navarra’s fate is inextricably linked to Garnacha

Amaya 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 regions 2023-10-22 06:10:38

Wine regions

Bobal, a hidden gem among bulk wines in Ribera del Júcar

Amaya 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 regions 2023-01-17 06:01:11

Wine regions

Arribes: A hidden treasure in the Duero River valley

Amaya 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 regions 2021-10-19 10:10:10

Wine regions

What to expect from the new Bierzo categories

Amaya 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 regions 2021-06-22 06:06:16

Wine regions

The metamorphosis of txakoli

Amaya 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 regions 2020-10-13 03:10:00

Wine regions

What 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 regions 2019-12-10 07:12:56

Wine regions

What 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 regions 2019-11-27 09:11:48

Wine regions

Duero, the plural river

Amaya 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 regions 2018-09-12 10:09:04

Wine regions

Exploring the alluring charms of Valdeorras

Amaya 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 regions 2018-07-10 06:07:07

Wine regions

Mallorca: Pure Mediterranean style

Amaya 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 regions 2018-02-20 05:02:16

Wine regions

Exploring Ribera del Duero with maps and facts

Amaya 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 regions 2017-09-20 09:09:46

Wine regions

Rioja in the 21st century: styles and categories of wine

Amaya 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 regions 2017-03-15 10:03:35

Wine regions

Cangas: from coal mines to fine wines

Pedro 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 regions 2017-02-07 10:02:32

Wine regions

Tenerife wines fall under the spell of the volcano

Yolanda 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 regions 2017-01-25 11:01:22

Wine regions

Terra Alta: charting new roads for Garnacha

Amaya 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 regions 2016-09-14 10:09:06

Wine regions

Rufete grapes put Sierra de Salamanca on the wine map

Amaya 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 regions 2016-07-20 10:07:15

Wine regions

Extremadura wines: in search of identity

Amaya 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 regions 2016-03-16 08:03:50

Wine regions

The uncertain future of Málaga’s sweet wines

Amaya 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 regions 2015-12-16 10:12:14

Wine regions

The breathtaking beauty of Gredos in pictures

Amaya 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 regions 2015-10-27 10:10:42

Wine regions

Toro: the land of hearty reds and old vines

Amaya 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.

Wine regions 2015-03-18 06:03:58