Tempranillo Blanco, Faugères, Xarel·lo, and yes, Ukrainian winemaking in war

Year 12, No. 03

May 04, 2022

Greetings,

A brutal war in Europe and a global pandemic are still happening? Nah... or at least that's what you'd think if you'd just attended Bordeaux's En Primeur where it was pretty much business as usual despite a wonky 2021 vintage (more on this soon).

Even in a out-of-the-way place like Priorat, you'd never suspect anything was amiss given the massive turnout at the now-returned Fira del Vi.

Lot's of great new content on the site, especially about Ukraine, including a feature piece by Evgenia Nikolaichuk about winemaking in war (*). I also interviewed Anna Zahorodnya who co-owns a winery in Penedès, Catalunya, as well as an interview with Goodwine (*) in Ukraine who were one of the key importers before the war. And then there's an update on the Wines for Ukraine (*) charity auction which was a complete success.

Back in Catalunya, I catch up with Enric Soler and his stunning Xarel·lo wines, tell the full story of the Cartoixa 1974, as well as that of the relatively unknown Fra Fulcó.

I popped up north to Languedoc and Rhône to taste the only pét-nat I've ever loved and then did an interview with Kathy Joseph after I tasted her truly wonderful wines from the Santa Maria Valley region near Santa Barbara in California.

Of course it needs to be mentioned that there are two reports in this newsletter, the first being on the growing excitement around the Tempranillo Blanco grape in Rioja, Spain and then a look at what people are doing up in the Faugères region of Languedoc, France.

Spring is very busy in the wine world and there will be A LOT to come in the next few weeks given that it seems we've moved into something of a normal-ish period with tastings and events a go-go so stay tuned.

Drink well, be well.

-Miquel

* articles are free to read

FEATURED ARTICLE

Ukrainian winemaking, in war *

Owner of the Like a Local's wine bars in Kyiv, Evgenia Nikolaichuk has authored an excellent guest article, taking a hard look at what the Ukrainian winemakers are having to contend with now that Russians are trying to kill them while they make wine.

REGIONAL REPORTS

Tempranillo... Blanco?

While most anyone who drinks wine will have heard of Spain's main grape, Tempranillo, its white mutation variation, may very well be something new to many. Here I take a deep look at the state of this "new" grape to the region.

Faugères, France

Tucked away in the hills of the Languedoc, this compact region of slatey soils is making some great red wines to take note of as well as pleasing rosés and whites!