Ribera cover

Duero: From Ribera to Toro via Rueda (And a Few Other Detours)

featured, Spain

Joaquín Hidalgo, Jun 2025

The wines of the Duero region—a diverse area shaped by a harsh climate—have earned a reputation as some of Spain’s finest. Journeying through the 600-plus wines reviewed in this report, I tour the region and share my interpretation of Ribera del Duero, the beating heart of Castilla y León.

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Maule: The Magic of Old Vines and a Stylistic Reinvention in Chile

featured, Chile

Joaquín Hidalgo, Jun 2025

Chile is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo, but many other grapes and terroirs broaden the country’s stylistic range. Among them, the southern region of Maule presents a unique mosaic of vineyards. In this report, I review nearly 700 wines from across the country with a focus on Maule, highlighting new discoveries and revisiting key trends.

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The Diverse Villages of Rioja: A New Trend Emerges

featured, Spain

Joaquín Hidalgo, May 2025

Rioja is changing. One of the most important factors in that change is the increased prominence of small and mid-sized producers and their interpretations of Rioja as village, vineyard or parcel wines. These wines stand in stark contrast to the region’s historically blended wines, and yet they may also represent the most promising future for Spain’s most famous winegrowing region.

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Argentina: Exploring the Outer Reaches

Argentina, featured

Joaquín Hidalgo, May 2025

In a country as vast as Argentina, vines grow in the most unexpected places. This report explores some of the lesser-known regions where wine is made, along with a look at classic areas such as the southern and northern valleys. These 250 wines tell the story of a different landscape—and a different people.

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Northern Mendoza: Velvet Comes Back into Fashion

Argentina, featured

Joaquín Hidalgo, Apr 2025

Not so long ago, Argentine reds were turning heads for their mixture of rich flavors and velvety textures. The heartland of that velvet era was Luján de Cuyo. In this new stage of development, the velvet has returned, only this time accompanied by more modern wine styles. From Luján to Primera Zona and the East, this report focuses on over 300 superb sun-kissed wines from the north of Mendoza.

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Rías Baixas & Ribeiro: The Beating Heart of White Wine in Galicia

featured, Spain

Joaquín Hidalgo, Mar 2025

Located in Northwest Spain, Galicia is home to wines with an Atlantic soul. Among the region’s white wine DOs, Rías Baixas and Ribeiro present contrasting yet equally intriguing styles. From Albariño to Treixadura, the 300 wines reviewed in this report offer a journey through Galicia's diverse terroirs.

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The Vivacious Reds of Ribeira Sacra and El Bierzo

featured, Spain

Joaquín Hidalgo, Feb 2025

Ribeira Sacra and Bierzo share a climate and dominant red grape variety, and yet they produce two very different versions of Mencía. In this report, I survey over 300 wines to provide a comprehensive overview of the wine country that spans the mountains between Galicia and León.

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Uco Valley: The Age of High-Elevation Reds

Argentina, featured

Joaquín Hidalgo, Nov 2024

The high-elevation vineyards of the Uco Valley are turning out red wines that continue to redefine what we once knew from Argentina. Lighter reds, shaped by the cold and sunshine, showcase a stylistic renaissance in the glass.

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From Revolution to Evolution: The Garnatxas and Cariñenas of Priorat & Montsant

featured, Spain

Joaquín Hidalgo, Nov 2024

Priorat and Montsant are the two main red-wine-producing DOs in Catalunya, but they are quite different from one another. In the 1990s, Priorat enjoyed a resurgence that led to a golden era before its regional style began to shift, while Montsant was only formally established in 2002. I visited the two regions in the spring of 2024, thoroughly touring most of the towns and vineyards and tasting a range of wines that reflect the past, present and future of an area of great character.

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Argentina: New White Releases

Argentina, featured

Joaquín Hidalgo, Oct 2024

The combination of newly planted terroirs and a renewed focus on white wine production has created a dynamic landscape in Argentina. As the first vintages of these wines age, they are starting to show all their potential for evolution. This report explores major trends and highlights especially noteworthy bottles from more than 400 tasted, encompassing White, Rosé and Sparkling categories.