The wine industry has been entirely focused for hundred of years in Western Europe, consuming the rivers of wine, good or bad, that leak out of there. Notwithstanding, It’s the Eastern European countries that are exfoliating their past and expeditiously emerging into wine dominions. Once referred to as Comecon countries; Slovenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, just to name a few, were once the source of the cheap rivers of wine produced for Russia. Without getting into dark history, joining the EU was the best decision they made. The subsidies that streamed in perpetuated young visionary winemakers to resuscitate their wine regions. 

Domaine du Tix once grew root vegetables, as well as olives and grapes. They also burned trees for charcoal. Centuries later, the estate became a refuge to pilgrims who’d climb the 100 meters upstream to the Chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Anges, where prayers were offered to ward off the plague or to ensure lavish harvests.

In 2007 Mullineux Family of Wines was established after Chris and Andrea Mulineux worked vintages in France and South Africa. It makes sense since South Africa’s history is deeply influenced by the French. It’s not clear how this dynamic couple was inspired to produce their own wine other than establishing a business partnership with Pathero and Peter Dart. It certainly takes capital to have your own label of wine and have demonstrated their vital commitment to producing serious wine.

In the eclipse of the 14 medieval towers of San Gimignano was born what can be called the most distinguished white of Tuscany. In this landscape of wine, Tuscan Vernaccia occupies a role of great relevance, what originates is a tradition that goes back to the mid-thirteenth century. The Vernaccia was the first Italian white wine that received the DOC concession, in 1966.

Itata, Chile is an underrated wine region jewel of the country. I love this region for the wines that come out of here with pure sophistication. In some ways despite the bold grapes used, there is also transparency. The central region is ground zero for the rivers of wine produced that are destined for their export concentric economy. Inspired by a trip to Barolo Italy, Pedro Parra dedicated a lifetime as a wine consultant and soil expert in multiple hemispheres. He wanted to apply to produce wines on his family’s winery expressing the region’s terroir.

Alberto Orte Espejo was born in Madrid and now lives in El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz) with his family. In 1999, at the age of 24, he partnered with his friend Patrick Mata, a native of Malaga, and created Ole Imports. Alberto handles the selection of wines and winemaking in Spain while Patrick manages the commercial and marketing part of the business in the USA.

Why Loire Valley? 

Le Jardin, the garden of France is what this fairytale landscape is referred to as. There are as many castles planted as are vineyards.  It is the 3rd largest producer in France, spanning 500 miles from Muscadet on the Atlantic West coast to Pouilly Fume on the East end. The region is divided administratively into four regions; Muscadet, Anjou, Touraine, Upper Loire. Get to know InterLoire, the official interprofessional organization of producers, merchants, and traders. 

The name LAN is composed of the initials of the three provinces the grapes are sourced from that make up the Rioja DOCa; La Rioja (formerly Longono), Alava and Navarra. LAN has been making wine in Alta Rioja since 1972  with consistent quality and balance from sustainable and organic practices. This Gran Reserva aged 24 months in American and  French oak and three years in a bottle before release, is classic Rioja. Made of 94% Tempranillo and 6% Mazuelo (Carignan) for acidity from the region’s signature chalk and clay soils. This produces wines with bold rich and sophisticated flavors.

Before I start off this review, I first want to say I’m fascinated with Greek wines. The Greeks are just as influential as the Romans, leaving cuttings of vines throughout Europe thousands of years ago. Unlike France, Italy, and Spain who have overlong established refined viticulture, Greece is emerging into a powerhouse of stylish wines on the international market. Although they do practice traditional viticulture methods in many areas, they are improving on vinification techniques. This has much to do with adaptation and understanding the thousands of indigenous varieties that can produce quality exciting wines.

How many wines come out of Morocco, not many, but this gem does. It’s from an Estate in the heart of the AOG Zaers region built-in 1933. It’s highly praised among the great historical wine regions of Morocco for many reasons. It’s positioned about 45 km from the Atlantic Ocean, bordered on the west by the valleys of Wadi Korifla, on the south by the foothills of the Middle Atlas, and vines are grown on ancient sand, red clay along with limestone and shale soils; creating wines of structure and intense minerality. Since 1998 It has undergone restoration on advanced viticulture and vinification practices.