@tomlewiscambridge.bsky.social
Oops, I made a mistake here. A bit of Penedès is indeed in Tarragona province and they can make DO Penedès wine there, even if most of it is in Barcelona province.
Another #Rioja pic from 13th March. Exactly what I look for in a photo: some sort of nature in the foreground, a village or castle or something in the middle distance (this is Briones) and snowy mountains behind. A magical day.
#Rioja looking pretty stunning today. First time in a while it's been clear enough to see the #snow line and everyone was suprised how much there still was.
Out on the bike yesterday, exploring the #vineyards and trails to the west of Logroño, La #Rioja
Wow! 300,000 tonnes of #grapes is a lot in anyone's book. 2 big cooperatives are given the go-ahead to merge in #LaMancha.
elcorreodelvino.com/el-gobierno-...
#Spain is big. Even here, half way across the north, I think twice about summer holidays in Galicia, as it's over 600km each way. Even though I'd love to go, I usually end up going to Cantabria instead (200km).
Excellent photo
To oversimplify #Tarragona province it's basically Mediterranean - so you're looking at a lot of red and white Grenache and Carignan, plus local & some international grapes, usually in a ripeish style.
Outlier Trepat is low-alcohol red (and also Cava) grape grown in coolish climate Conca de Barberà
Yes, I know Nayan, we were classmates a long time ago in Adelaide. In my case I just wanted to leave!
Tarragona (province) is DO Tarragona, DO Terra Alta, DO Montsant, DO Priorat, DO Conca de Barbera, (plus bits of DO Catalunya, Cava) and non-DO. Not Penedès or Xarel.lo grape which is Barcelona.
That's a nice pic!
Yes, me too, more or less. Grew up around Rochdale / Oldham so was often out in the Pennines as a lad. Here in La #Rioja it's quite mountainous but there are also UK-type hills in the valley, so it's pretty good. Compensates a lot for missing the coast - in my last job I lived in Tarragona.
Out on my #mountainbike this afternoon, #cycling around La #Rioja. Good to have decent countryside so close to home.
Yes, exactly. I didn't have enough space left in my post, but it's basically Rioja but delayed 5 or 6 years There's a boom, you have to plant more, something changes + bumper harvest and you're left with too many grapes - then quality suffers and some growers go under / ask for state help.
Interesting article here about #RíasBaixas.
The region has been booming, but after last year's record havest and in the face of declining #wine sales, the DO is wondering what to do about it (restricting new plantings, lowering yield etc). Happens a lot.
www.vinetur.com/202603059714...
#Winter no quite done yet here in La #Rioja.
There has been quite a bit of overnight #snow on the local mountains.
Out visiting some #vineyards today in #Rioja Alavesa. This one is staked, which is quite unusual and pretty high-density. Surprisingly there seems to be little consensus around here on the best way to grow grapes.
Fun little #barrel tasting today.
The same wine 2025 Pressings has been in 3 #newoak barrels since 21st November 2025.
#Cadus / #Etna / #Martín
Quite different pricing on the barrels, so need to see how things are working out.
#BodegasObalo #Rioja
#Rioja is on a roll, in many ways, and in its centenary year. Just a bit of an oversupply issue to fix. Hope you have a great time at the fair.
I have to say, I'm not a fan pf public money going to pay growers to partially grow #grapes then cut them off before they're ready (#greenharvesting). 4th year in a row. When / how will the governing forces they bite the bullet?
Re. a small wine fair of 38 "Independent Producers of #Rioja", it's great to see the President of DOCa Rioja in attendance and the inclusive tone here is very welcome. In the past the DOCa Rioja has been accused of only looking out for large wineries.
laprensadelrioja.com/vinos-y-bode...
Does seem like a lot.
Here in Logroño we are obviously much smaller than Sevilla and some years behind on the tourism curve. However the city is absolutely booming and bit by bit the famous centre is dying off. Loads more hotels being built here too, but I think flats let as pisos turísticos limited
Bright but chilly morning at the winery.
#BodegasObalo #Rioja
I quite like this re-designed packaging. Still easily recognisable as #ViñasDelVero but looks a bit more fun and modern, and I'm a sucker for embossed bottles.
This headline definitely playing on home turf here: "Drinking #wine as part of a Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of premature death by up to 33%".
Fantastic vertical #winetasting last night at #Roots #Logroño.
2021-2024 of #PagoDeArínzano #Armonia #Chardonnay. Interesting differences in the years, though good peachy fruit and impreccable balance throughout. Would be considered top wines if only #Spanish Chardonnay were not so unfashionable.
Now that does look good.
I think there's a big difference between the south and the north though. (Interestingly the other way round from the UK.)
Thanks, that was a good read. Maybe I'll put it into action this evening!
No, I did not see that, but sounds very plausible.
I'm glad there are no/low alcohol alternative around now, but I can't help thinking that a drink or two lowers inhibitions and can lead to various positive social situations, that wouldn't have happened otherwise.
I was amazed a few years ago when I got the tram from Manchester airport to my parents' house and strangers actually started chatting.
