Living in Europe, you are surrounded by history in a technologically evolving setting. If I leave my house right now, I can step into a church dating back to the 9th century in just under fifteen minutes; but I can also walk out of the church and into the mobile telephone shop, where I can [...]

I’ve been meaning to put this bodega profile together for ages, simply because the representative I met last summer in Lisbon was not only unforgettable with his dashing appearance and remarkable confidence, but because he seemed ridiculously impressed with his wines. Brilliant blond hair parted meticulously to right, perfectly ironed white button down shirt, and [...]

During our first visit to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, I couldn’t help but notice how Cava houses were as prevalent as fast food chains in the States. Walk up any narrow, windy street lined with quaint bread shops, boutique jewelry stores and fruit stands and inevitably, you’ll find yourself vying for space on the sidewalk among [...]

Forging a Reputation
Years ago, while working as the assistant restaurant manager for the Nicollet Island Inn, a swanky hotel situated on an island in the heart of Minneapolis, I had a rather unique experience debating as to whether Freixenet was a Champagne or a Cava.
As three very inquisitive and rather bull-headed, business executives fondled [...]

Quinta de la Rosa is a landmark in the Douro Valley, located right on the edge of the river, just above the railway line and a kilometer from Pinhão in the Cima Corgo region. Initially dedicated to the production of port, under the driving influence of the renowned winemaker, David Baverstock, they expanded their portfolio [...]

On a chilly and gray January afternoon in 2003, Ryan and I arrived into the historic Oporto train station bubbling with anticipation and excitement. Our limbs rather sore from sitting for hours in the same position, we begrudgingly put our large backpacks onto our shoulders, and like to old creaky dolls, emerged out station into [...]

Have you ever been sent back in time after looking at wine label? Personally, I tend to have these experiences most often with aromas, rather than images. Maybe the bouquet of a wine will catapult me back to my aunt’s kitchen helping her make a sweet cranberry strudel, or a vacation I took horseback riding [...]

Editor’s Note: We are currently open to suggestions as to how we may revamp our bodega profiles to be more interesting and practical for you. We ask that you please either leave your comments below or in the “Pimp My Wine Blog” page in Facebook.
Although I haven’t had the privilege of meeting João Portugal Ramos, [...]

For those of you who are caught up on your Catavino reading, you are most likely familiar with a recently contributed article on regarding a tasting with Quinta de Ventozelo’s wines paired with a wild mushroom soup alongside a tender piece of braised duck. The meal was absolutely fantastic, beautifully enhanced by all three [...]

When we learned Catavino was hosting WBW #38, and that our theme was Portuguese Table Wines, we knew we had to do a good job! While we’ve been living in Spain, we’ve slowly earned the respect of winemakers and wine professionals as they observe us promoting Portuguese wines and Spanish wines. And although we’d love [...]

We knew we had to go big with our Wine Blog Wednesday entry. We debated and debated over the subject, unclear as to exactly what approach we should take. Do we go with a region, a varietal, a style? With well over 40 bottles of Portuguese wine still sprawled out on our dining room floor, [...]

El Bierzo, has been referred to as ‘the gateway to Galicia’ for its lush green valley that gently guides you between two ominous mountains into DO Valdeorras in the southwestern corner of Galicia. Although I’ve only seen small glimpses of Galicia, I can only imagine how stunning this vision must be. But beyond its fertile [...]

DO Cariñena, located just west of Catalunya in northeastern Spain, is not only one of the largest and oldest regions in Aragon, but also the first to have been demarcated in 1932. And if the name sounds familiar, it should, because it is the namesake of the grape varietal Cariñena, Manzuelo in other Northern regions [...]

The region of Bairrada occupies no more than 10,000 hectares, fractioned off by cooperatives and small producers like Quinta do Encontro. Although the region has been producing wine since the 10th Century, it wasn’t until the 19th century until it became a quality wine producing region as a result of one man’s efforts. António Augusto [...]

When was the last time you picked up a copy of Odyssey by Homer and read it from cover to cover? In curious wonder, you scratch you head thinking, “I know I read it, but for the life of me, I can’t remember the details.” I too went through the same mental gymnastics routine, finally [...]