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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.

Montserrat is a mountain range as distinctive as it is omnipresent in catalonia. this view is from the sabat%c3%a9 i coca vineyards  near the bitlles river  on the outskirts of vilafranca del pened%c3%a8s.

The Rambunctious Catalan Mediterranean and Beyond

featured, Spain

Joaquín Hidalgo, Sep 2024

Within a surface area that only accounts for 6% of Spain, Catalonia bottles a wide range of Mediterranean and continental wines in two distinct styles. White and sparkling wines rule the roost on the coast–which is the main focus of this report–where the ethereal Xarel·lo fills glasses with sun and energy. In a land rich in native varieties, this dispatch takes readers on a tour of Mediterranean flavors and attempts to offer a lucid guide to the tangled mess of categories and classifications that hold sway in the region.

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The Chilean Coast: Where the Pacific Shapes Vibrant Reds and Whites

featured, Chile

Joaquín Hidalgo, Jul 2024

A little-known strip of Chile is producing a rich seam of distinctive, characterful reds and whites, with Cabernet Sauvignon conspicuously absent. This report focuses on Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cinsault, País and more from the Chilean coastline, where a range of delicious wines are ready to be discovered.

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The Bewildering 2024 Season in Argentina

Argentina, featured

Joaquín Hidalgo, Jun 2024

The 2024 vintage, despite being one of the warmer ones, presents wines with distinct fruit flavors, vibrant colors and juicy freshness in its reds. While the exact reasons remain unclear, both barrel samples and winemaker reports suggest this trend. This report explores hypotheses to understand the uniqueness of the 2024 vintage.

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2021 and 2022 Set the Tone for the Classic Reds of Mendoza

Argentina, featured

Joaquín Hidalgo, May 2024

The northern oasis of Mendoza is a large and diverse area that covers almost one-third of Argentina's wine production. However, in the foothills, known as the Primera Zona, the cool 2021 and 2022 vintages allowed for delicate balance and complexity in the wines. This report is a journey through the region and its styles, with some bottles brimming with the magic that made Malbec famous.

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Chile: El Niño Brought a Slow-Motion Season with a Long Harvest Window

featured, Chile

Joaquín Hidalgo, May 2024

Two thousand twenty-four was characterized by the El Niño phenomenon, resulting in a cool spring and a summer with erratic veraison. By March, when the harvest window opened, the grapes had barely developed any sugars. Biding your time and choosing the perfect moment were the key factors in a year with less structure and more delicate fruit flavors.

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The Many Riojas of Rioja: A Tale of Forking Paths

featured, Spain

Joaquín Hidalgo, Apr 2024

Rioja finds itself at a crossroads. Like many a great story, Rioja is being challenged by small and mid-size producers over its identity. A dynamic and fascinating scenario is unfolding as a result, reflected in the almost 800 bottles that make up this report. Certain producers' enthusiasm and stylistic exploration are inspiring amidst a general decline in sales, defining a wine landscape as diverse as it is attractive. Rioja is currently an adventure of contrasts and discoveries.

2   the golden hour over the trapiche costa y pampa vineyards in chapadmalal  buenos aires province  in the humid pampa  6 kilometers away from the atlantic ocean shore. the dominant note is the green of the fields.

Argentina: Where Extremes Offer Up Unexpected Surprises

Argentina, featured

Joaquín Hidalgo, Feb 2024

Wine consumers often mistakenly conflate Mendoza with Argentina—not an unreasonable error given that 70% of the country’s grapes grow in the province. But, when one tilts their glass toward the country’s other regions, perceptions can often be altered. Argentina’s varied whites and reds reflect the essence of a vast range of quite different landscapes. This report takes us on a journey through them.