Body Movin': Châteauneuf of now
Year 14, No. 06
I was up in Barcelona the other day and couldn’t help but notice that The Convergence is upon us.
No, it’s not AI taking over our lives or people suddenly being able to wield magic, but simply the fact that we exist in a bridge moment of fashion as skinny jeans begin their inevitable decline whilst the baggy jeans take over.
I’m old enough to have already seen this show and, as a bystander wed to the bootcut jean for life, I know very well that in but a few scant years low-waist jeans will come back again, followed by an eventual return of the skinny.
Pretty much everything in life is cyclical which was a key theme I noticed when researching Châteauneuf-du-Pape recently for the Regional Report that’s out today.
In addition to understanding the 2023, 2022, and 2021 vintages via the 180+ wines in the Tasting Report, I was fascinated in how what was old is now new again. Using stems has continued to come back into fashion, neutral aging vessels are also all the rage and even the old concept of co-planting varieties seems A-OK. All thewhile, a very young generation is starting to take over wineries from their parents and they’ve a very concerned eye to the future.
I can’t tell you if it’s a more of a skinny jean or a baggy jean moment in Châteauneuf, but I don’t think it much matters as the wines are damned delicious.
For those perhaps saying “to hell with your fashionable jeans concerns”, I also published a Tasting Report on the wines of Jura which offered a unique window into those “East of Burgundy” wines that are at once familiar and yet oh, so different.
Perhaps it’s a fine moment for a non-sequitur? Because out of the blue, a new Vino de Pago suddenly appeared (*) in Spain as well! Will wonders never cease?
Drink well, be well.
-Miquel
(*) Free to read
The Featured Reports
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2024
Classic and eternally-fine, these wines that initially defined the Southern Rhône have never been better. Here, in addition to a look at current trends, I’ve rated over 180 wines from the recent vintages that you very much want to search out.
A taste of Jura
For those looking to explore, Jura has always been a bit of Burgundy+. Sure, you start with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but it goes in so many different directions from there (‘Vin Jaune’ anyone?) and this tasting allowed a chance to enjoy it all.
And now this
Ever been in Madrid and thought, “I don’t want supermarket wine, but I also don’t want something from a ‘weird bar’, where to go?” Well it sounds like you need a caviste in Madrid!
here’s an update on the wines of this negociant producing a line of Bulgarian wines for the US market. Some use imported varieties and others, the local options. Guess which works out better?
And of course, it’s still spring, which means that one can easily drink fuller-bodied red wines. Here’s a selection of Priorat red wines (plus a white) that really frame everything that’s beautiful about the region at the moment.
The Featured Wine
Ridge Buchignani Ranch Carignane 2018
Carignan can be confusing to some it seems, but few could argue that this isn’t a fine bottle of the variety. Produced by the ever-excellent winery of Ridge in California, it’s even reasonably priced for the region. 93pts