Steeper Hills, Same Heart: La Farra and the Pleasures of Prosecco Superiore
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- Published: 03 June 2026 03 June 2026
I have just been admiring – by sniffing and tasting – a glass of La Farra Valdobbiandene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut (not the shortest of names). The elegant packaging sets a scene for prosecco that implies something more than the typically easy-going bubbles many are used to. I am pleased to report, this does not disappoint.
Ribeira Sacra, Wines of Galicia: Heroic Viticulture in the Cañón do Sil
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- Published: 09 May 2026 09 May 2026
We rolled out the rug on a small patch of grass etched between the steep cascade of Roman terraces, with neat lines of vines both rising above us and falling away to the tranquil water below. Between each vine, the ground was covered in shrubs, flowers and buzzing insects. The panoramic view across the Sil Canyon, in this stretch of Ribeira Sacra, with tins of sardines in olive oil and a makeshift salad, offer a rustic experience of sublime dining.
A very interesting wine – Segura Viudas “Clos Juvència” 2010 from Penedes, Spain
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- Published: 09 February 2026 09 February 2026
I half expected I’d bought a dud considering the clear glass bottle and 16years of age but as the deeply amber wine’s aroma touched the edge of my nostrils, a joyful familiarity came over me: “Reminds me of Champagne!”
The delectable biodynamic wines of Shukhrat Khakimov of Alicante, Spain
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- Published: 21 May 2024 21 May 2024
Immersed in the spirit of Spanish Mediterranean landscape, Shukhrat Khakimov is making a selection of vivacious and delectable wines, faithfully expressing time, place and variety.
Artuke Finca de los Locos, 2021
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- Published: 13 March 2024 13 March 2024
Blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, Viura grapes - I asked for an unusual Rioja with a lighter touch. An interesting chat about Graciano ensued. It is being used more widely in Rioja adding perfume and a higher acid freshness. Evident in the primary floral note aromas.
Interesting to have the familiar tannic structure restrained and balanced by acidity.
Viura, the white grape widely planted in Rioja (Macabeo in France), also adds to the floral character. Viura also has decent aging potential so with these two grape varieties blended with more familiar Tempranillo, this is an unusual treat from Rioja.
Bottle weight 582.5g - A decent effort for sustainability.
UK price ~£30
Hermanos Hernaiz 'El Jardin de la Emperatriz’ 2018 Rioja Alta
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- Published: 23 January 2024 23 January 2024
88% Tempranillo, 9% Garnacha, 2% Graciano, 1% Maturana Tinta
12 months in American (70%) and French (30%) oak barrels.
Madrevite - artisanal winemaking connecting Umbria to the world
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- Published: 01 November 2023 01 November 2023
We are tasting with Nicola Chiucchiurlotto, founder of the organic Madrevite estate located on the border of Tuscany and Umbria on the undulating hills around lake Trasimeno.
A common thread in his wines is personality and accessibility, from the labels through to the energetic character of the wines themselves.
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Ribeira Sacra, Wines of Galicia: Heroic Viticulture in the Cañón do Sil
We rolled out the rug on a small patch of grass etched between the steep cascade of Roman terraces, with neat lines of vines both rising above us and falling away to the tranquil water below. Between each vine, the ground was covered in shrubs, flowers and buzzing insects. The panoramic view across the Sil Canyon, in this stretch of Ribeira Sacra, with tins of sardines in olive oil and a makeshift salad, offer a rustic experience of sublime dining.
Discord in Odesa; pruning at Shabo goes on!
Last week a picture was posted on Twitter of vines in Shabo, a large estate that lies to the west of Odesa on southern Ukraine’s Black Sea coastline. The image seemed benign at face value but the reality, of course, is that the city of Odesa has been bracing itself for attack by Russian forces.
An aperitif by the coliseum
As COVID-19 conspires with the grimmest of winds and rain to force a societal retreat behind our own front doors, the word ennui springs to mind. The muddle of displeasure is pierced when Natalia hands me a large bulbous glass of a liquid I do not recognise.
Artichoke pasta and very fine Pigato
Britain’s lamentable exit
On the eve of Britain’s official departure from the EU, my partner and I decided to explore a small town on the Italian Riviera where thewintry cold doesn’t feel so much like cold war bite.
I had warned my significant other that I would be having an inverse departure party, a release of the sanity valve if you like!
Soave: volcanic wines with elegance and longevity
Sitting inside the ancient castle walls inside the town of Soave, a short drive from Verona in northern Italy, the unique slightly almond aroma of the indigenous grape, Garganega, rises gently from my glass. The castle sprawls up the side of an extinct volcano that gives the region its variant soil structures that mark out the better quality of Soave wines.
An American In Paris; Tanisha Townsend (@GirlMeetsGlass) discusses podcasts, Paris wine bars, & what she's drinking at the moment
Tanisha Townsend decided to move to Paris 4 years ago after regularly passing through the city en route to the world’s most famous vineyards. In fact, it was about 2 years ago at the Printemps de Champagne Bouzy Rouge tasting in Reims that I saw (who we shall now refer to as) GirlMeetsGlass chirpily speaking to her web followers on Snapchat.
