Tasting a Decade + Drops

Year 13, No. 08

Warmest Hottest of greetings,

It seems that summer has truly found us in the week that has passed and in doing so, it has justified my having installed air conditioning last year. Taking that blistering edge off a 39C (102F) Sunday makes all things much more livable.

The same can’t be said for the grapes that have to continue dealing with whatever the sun gives them and the clouds don’t. People around the region are talking about 40% losses in terms of what’s currently on the vines now and of course, it’s just June. But, we’ve been here before and things can still go quite well for the vintage. Hope springs eternal in the vineyard!

I thought that I’ve busy and am still catching up from back-to-back trips to Slavonija in Eastern Croatia and then Rioja, Spain, but then that Russia “thing” happened of the weekend which put everything back into perspective. Full reports (on the wines, not Russia) are coming in due course so stay tuned this summer.

Speaking of reports, the DO Montsant report is now out with tasting notes for 100 wines. It’s always a pleasure to taste these wines and that’s because the winemakers are always trying something new and experimenting.

But we’ve also seen the Tast del Decenni for DOQ Priorat come to pass which is a fascinating exercise taking a look at the wines of exactly one decade previous to see if they’re still hanging in there, given up their collective ghosts, or are (ideally) truly magnificent.

We’ve just passed the San Juan festivities here in Spain, thankfully without burning this drought-ridden country to the ground via bonfires and fireworks. May all you in the US take care with the upcoming 4th of July and no, I will not recommend any BBQ wines… well okay, one: Grenache.

Drink well, be well.

-Miquel

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