Category Archives: Uncategorized

Barcelona: Roman Winery and Modern Bottle Shop

Posted on April 14, 2014 by waywardwine

We leave the Pyrenees-locked country of Andorra on the 104th day of our EU Austerity Drinking Tour. Spain is our next step: land of Cava, Rioja, Bierzo, Ribera del Duero and countless other wines.

Cliff castles, shrub-dusted hills, Romanesque churches, and deep ravines all zip past like a slide show. Then fingered rocks form the most surreal horizon.

After a few hours, the road straightens, the land flattens, and agriculture and industry take over the landscape. We grow tired of a chatty traveler from Israel. Less dramatic villages crawl by, occasionally peppered by a ruin or two. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged barcelona, cava, Llopart, Penedes, Roman winemaking, Spain, vila viniteca | 3 Comments

Thirsty Thursday: Hugel, Gentil, Alsace, France 2012

Posted on April 10, 2014 by waywardwine

Bordering Germany lays Alsace.

In 75 years, Germans and French swapped the region four times. The wines share this borderland mentality where Francophone varieties like Pinot Gris, Blanc, and Noir touch vineyards of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Sylvaner. What better introduction to this melting pot than a blend, the only blend from one of Alsace’s largest, but oldest (1639!) and most respected producers: Hugel et Fils. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 2012, Alsace France, Gentil, Gewürztraminer, Hugel, pinot blanc, Pinot Gris, pinot noir, riesling, Sylvaner, Thirsty Thursday | 4 Comments

Touring Andorra: Where Gray is the New Black

Posted on April 7, 2014 by waywardwine

100 days of travel finds us in our first, real, shiny hotel. We wake in Europe’s highest capital: Andorra la Vella: trapped between Spain and France.

Grape vines are scant (mainly Muscat), because mountains make up most of this tiny country. So our EU Austerity Drinking Adventure puts on its sober hat. We have a double bus tour.

It climbs out of town, winding through ravines. We stop by a tiny stone church.

Inside we find gilt wooden altars, tiny pews, a mirco-organ, and ancient frescoes (most of which were purloined by the Spanish). Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Andorra, Andorra la Vella, Charlemagne, off shore accounts, Pyrenees, Romanesque churches, Skiing, tax haven | 2 Comments

Climbing the Pyrenees to Andorra: Capdevila Pujol, Brut, Cava, Spain NV

Posted on March 31, 2014 by waywardwine

After a month of drinking our way through western France, we shift our EU Austerity Drinking Adventure south. But before bathing in Spain’s wine culture, we tack on three days in Andorra. We have no idea what Andorra will be. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Andorra, Capdevil Pujol, cava, France, Perelada, Pyrenees, Spain | 2 Comments

Calling Summer: Picpoul de Pinet, Gérard Bertrand, France 2011

Posted on March 27, 2014 by waywardwine

Drink Picpoul, any Picpoul, and summer will come early. The shear pulling of your cork will turn the Earth a little closer to the sun. Snows will melt. Frosts dissipate. For you will be drinking sunshine.

While Monday’s EU Austerity Drinking Tour dipped its toe in Toulouse. A bit further to France’s coast sits an appellation called Picpoul de Pinet.

Hot-hardy red grapes dominate the land. But the village of Pinet has held resolutely to the green grape Picpoul.

Named for stinging (Pic) lips (Poul), the grape exudes saline, mouthwatering, citric acidity: perfect with seafood. It helps that below its vines spreads France’s second largest lake: the Étang de Thau: the only place outside of Normandy that France certifies oyster production. Continue reading →