Out of place: the new rules in Rioja

Following changes to the laws surrounding Rioja in recent months, Felipe Carvallo reports on the new rules, and what they mean for producers determined to focus on the region’s terroir This summer saw a landmark shift in Rioja’s labelling regulations, which are controlled by its regional body the Consejo Regulador. Until now, the system has […]

A Sherry-led quest

The prestigious house of Lustau has long been making exceptional Sherries but is best known for pioneering “almacenistas”. Here, Felipe Carvallo reports on his trip to Lustau’s bodega in Jerez, and on to two of their almacenistas. There aren’t a great number of activities that make a 4am trip to Stansted airport seem like an […]

Natural wine: yea

Felipe Carvallo – one of our Wine Advisors – defends the honour of the controversial ‘natural wine’ movement, espousing the idiosyncrasy of both the wines it has produced and their makers. Over the past five years or so, undoubtedly one of the biggest movements to emerge in the wine trade is that of natural wine. […]

Wine for the weekend: 2010 Knox Alexander

Felipe Carvallo, one of the enviably knowledgeable wine advisors who man our phones, couldn’t resist sharing this gem he’s got planned for a pre-Grand National lunch this weekend. This weekend, I’ll be revisiting an old favourite for the season: Au Bon Climat’s Pinot Noir powerhouse, 2010 Knox Alexander. Concentrated and complex with a lightness of […]