Perhaps people outside North America or Northern Europe might not appreciate how bad this winter’s weather has actually been….. so far. For the last month and a half we have been battered by storms on an almost daily basis. For example, the Atlantic coasts of the western Europe are experiencing two or three damaging weather systems per week – there is no time whatsoever to recover before the next storm strikes, and to say that the soil is saturated is something of an understatement. This winter it has almost become the norm to be soaked by the equivalent of a month’s rain within a period of just a few days…. all previous weather records have been completely blown away (almost literally). Experts are now saying that even when this continuous cycle of bad weather is broken it could take months before some of the floods completely subside. 

Only yesterday morning I was on my way back from the denomination office in Pontevedra when I had to stop my car at the side of the road – the rain on my windscreen was so intense that I simply couldn’t see the road in front of me, even with my wipers working at full speed. Water replaced tarmac, as the roads turned to rivers. Possibly the most intense rain that I have experienced since I arrived in Spain. When I did eventually arrive back at the bodega there was no power, which in this day and age obviously causes problems, but fortunately the break in supply only lasted about an hour. 

Of course we have no idea what the spring and summer might bring, we simply have our fingers crossed that it will be a good growing season for our vineyards, without too many extremes of weather, but then again, who knows…..

Perhaps people outside North America or Northern Europe might not appreciate how bad this winter’s weather has actually been….. so far. For the last month and a half we have been battered by storms on an almost daily basis. For example, the Atlantic coasts of the western Europe are experiencing two or three damaging weather systems per week – there is no time whatsoever to recover before the next storm strikes, and to say that the soil is saturated is something of an understatement. This winter it has almost become the norm to be soaked by the equivalent of a month’s rain within a period of just a few days…. all previous weather records have been completely blown away (almost literally). Experts are now saying that even when this continuous cycle of bad weather is broken it could take months before some of the floods completely subside. 

Only yesterday morning I was on my way back from the denomination office in Pontevedra when I had to stop my car at the side of the road – the rain on my windscreen was so intense that I simply couldn’t see the road in front of me, even with my wipers working at full speed. Water replaced tarmac, as the roads turned to rivers. Possibly the most intense rain that I have experienced since I arrived in Spain. When I did eventually arrive back at the bodega there was no power, which in this day and age obviously causes problems, but fortunately the break in supply only lasted about an hour. 

Of course we have no idea what the spring and summer might bring, we simply have our fingers crossed that it will be a good growing season for our vineyards, without too many extremes of weather, but then again, who knows…..

It would be pretty frivolous of me to suggest that Albariño is the most ideal wine to buy your partner for Valentine’s Day. That distinction should probably be credited to rosé Champagne, and being completely honest, I think that I can understand the reasons why….. There’s always something a bit special about opening a good bottle of fizz on a romantic occasion, and for some reason it is often implied that rosé Champagne is especially favoured by the ladies. This notion however, is probably quite outdated, and in an age of more knowledgeable wine consumers I’m not so sure that it’s entirely true anyway. It could simply be that pink is simply considered to be a more romantic colour? Anyway, suffice to say that on February 14th Champagne will be the preferred choice of many to help woo (or perhaps impress) the woman of their dreams.

Possibly the best way to celebrate this special day is over a candlelit dinner, or failing that, perhaps delivering a nice bouquet of flowers (excluding those from your local gas station or supermarket!). Gifts can be many and varied, but in my opinion stuffed toys or novelty knickers are probably best avoided. One marketing suggestion of a Valentine’s gift that dropped into my mailbox only today was some lovely speech recognition software – just the thing to thrill the lady in your life. My guess is that this, or perhaps a new ironing board cover would be especially well received…… if you happen to be fishing for a divorce!

It would be pretty frivolous of me to suggest that Albariño is the most ideal wine to buy your partner for Valentine’s Day. That distinction should probably be credited to rosé Champagne, and being completely honest, I think that I can understand the reasons why….. There’s always something a bit special about opening a good bottle of fizz on a romantic occasion, and for some reason it is often implied that rosé Champagne is especially favoured by the ladies. This notion however, is probably quite outdated, and in an age of more knowledgeable wine consumers I’m not so sure that it’s entirely true anyway. It could simply be that pink is simply considered to be a more romantic colour? Anyway, suffice to say that on February 14th Champagne will be the preferred choice of many to help woo (or perhaps impress) the woman of their dreams.

Possibly the best way to celebrate this special day is over a candlelit dinner, or failing that, perhaps delivering a nice bouquet of flowers (excluding those from your local gas station or supermarket!). Gifts can be many and varied, but in my opinion stuffed toys or novelty knickers are probably best avoided. One marketing suggestion of a Valentine’s gift that dropped into my mailbox only today was some lovely speech recognition software – just the thing to thrill the lady in your life. My guess is that this, or perhaps a new ironing board cover would be especially well received…… if you happen to be fishing for a divorce!

Yesterday I ate a tomato that had no taste whatsoever and it started me thinking…… In the wine trade, we make, market and sell wine by variety, so why doesn’t this approach apply to every fruit and vegetable – growing and selling them according to their variety, and more importantly, their flavour. Now I know there will be people who will jump on this apparent generalisation, and I do acknowledge that there are already many shops and supermarkets that clearly advertise both the variety and their provenance, but this is not a worldwide concept.

Imagine for a moment that you walked into your favourite wine shop, and the only way you could identify your selection was by the colour, as though it was assumed that every white wine, and every red wine tasted the same (and that the variety of grape really didn’t matter). This thought brings me neatly back to my tomatoes. Why shouldn’t I be able to walk into my local supermarket and knowingly select the variety of tomato that I like and prefer to buy? Why does it have to be a secret?

Of course, I already know the answer to that question – many fruits and veg are grown simply because they are prolific, and not necessarily because they have the best taste (there is even a variety of tomato called ‘moneymaker’). Now, I am not saying for one moment that we should stop growing these abundant croppers, but I am simply saying help us to identify them, and let us make the choice. As with my wine selections, I for one would not mind paying a few cents extra to buy a fruit or veg that I know I am going to appreciate….. it just makes more sense.

For example, in many countries it is very common to display the category of potato that we buy, depending on whether it is required for boiling, baking or frying etc. – but unfortunately not here in Galicia (ironically a big potato producing area). Yes, I can buy bags that are marked ‘for frying’, ‘for boiling’ etc., but the problem is that I do not agree with their selections! I end up with limp, soggy french fries, or hard, waxy boiled potatoes – I can never find what I really want. Very fortunately, I can at least buy my apples and pears by variety, but nearly everything else is pot luck!

OK, so I’ve had my little rant and got it off my chest, but if you stop to think about it for a moment, why shouldn’t the consumer be able to chose, or at least have more information so that they can make an informed selection? It wouldn’t cost any more to tell us what we’re buying…..

Yesterday I ate a tomato that had no taste whatsoever and it started me thinking…… In the wine trade, we make, market and sell wine by variety, so why doesn’t this approach apply to every fruit and vegetable – growing and selling them according to their variety, and more importantly, their flavour. Now I know there will be people who will jump on this apparent generalisation, and I do acknowledge that there are already many shops and supermarkets that clearly advertise both the variety and their provenance, but this is not a worldwide concept.

Imagine for a moment that you walked into your favourite wine shop, and the only way you could identify your selection was by the colour, as though it was assumed that every white wine, and every red wine tasted the same (and that the variety of grape really didn’t matter). This thought brings me neatly back to my tomatoes. Why shouldn’t I be able to walk into my local supermarket and knowingly select the variety of tomato that I like and prefer to buy? Why does it have to be a secret?

Of course, I already know the answer to that question – many fruits and veg are grown simply because they are prolific, and not necessarily because they have the best taste (there is even a variety of tomato called ‘moneymaker’). Now, I am not saying for one moment that we should stop growing these abundant croppers, but I am simply saying help us to identify them, and let us make the choice. As with my wine selections, I for one would not mind paying a few cents extra to buy a fruit or veg that I know I am going to appreciate….. it just makes more sense.

For example, in many countries it is very common to display the category of potato that we buy, depending on whether it is required for boiling, baking or frying etc. – but unfortunately not here in Galicia (ironically a big potato producing area). Yes, I can buy bags that are marked ‘for frying’, ‘for boiling’ etc., but the problem is that I do not agree with their selections! I end up with limp, soggy french fries, or hard, waxy boiled potatoes – I can never find what I really want. Very fortunately, I can at least buy my apples and pears by variety, but nearly everything else is pot luck!

OK, so I’ve had my little rant and got it off my chest, but if you stop to think about it for a moment, why shouldn’t the consumer be able to chose, or at least have more information so that they can make an informed selection? It wouldn’t cost any more to tell us what we’re buying…..

Despite the fact that we are currently being lashed by rain and strong winds on a daily basis, I guess that by comparison, we should consider ourselves lucky. Large areas of the UK are still under water (some areas have been flooded since Christmas), and huge parts of the US are gripped by snow and ice, and have been for many weeks. Apparently, over in the US, the cold weather extends as far south as northern Texas.

Here at Castro Martin we have not been flooded by the storms, but suffice to say that the heavy rain is now barely absorbed by the totally saturated ground. To compound matters even further, this is the time of year that we are traditionally extremely busy in our vineyards pruning, but to be honest this is the type of weather when you would be reluctant to send your dog out, let alone your poor pruning team! As they leave the cellar they are completely cocooned in their oilskins and boots, but even so, in this weather, it is really the most unenviable task. The problem is that we cannot really stop and wait, it’s simply a job that has to be completed, and with no break in the weather on the horizon, our guys simply have to soldier on regardless….

Despite the fact that we are currently being lashed by rain and strong winds on a daily basis, I guess that by comparison, we should consider ourselves lucky. Large areas of the UK are still under water (some areas have been flooded since Christmas), and huge parts of the US are gripped by snow and ice, and have been for many weeks. Apparently, over in the US, the cold weather extends as far south as northern Texas.

Here at Castro Martin we have not been flooded by the storms, but suffice to say that the heavy rain is now barely absorbed by the totally saturated ground. To compound matters even further, this is the time of year that we are traditionally extremely busy in our vineyards pruning, but to be honest this is the type of weather when you would be reluctant to send your dog out, let alone your poor pruning team! As they leave the cellar they are completely cocooned in their oilskins and boots, but even so, in this weather, it is really the most unenviable task. The problem is that we cannot really stop and wait, it’s simply a job that has to be completed, and with no break in the weather on the horizon, our guys simply have to soldier on regardless….

When I was a wine buyer there was one thing that I was always desperate to avoid during the winter months…. catching a cold or flu. It’s pretty obvious that a blocked nose would simply render you unable to work, which is why at the first sign of any symptom I would quickly dose myself with aspirin and vitamins. An over reaction perhaps, but it seemed to work quite well for me, and over the years I don’t recall spending too many periods out of action.

The reason I mention this now is because I am just recovering from a nasty bout of “man flu” (and yes, it apparently does exist). A new study suggests that men may actually suffer more when they are struck down with flu – because high levels of testosterone can weaken their immune response! The study was carried out by the Stanford University School of Medicine – and that’s good enough for me. The reality is however, that apart from a few flu tablets and a day or two in bed, there’s not really too much that you can do…. apart perhaps from one small discovery that I made recently – the Neti Pot.

When I get a cold it usually goes straight to my head and fills my sinuses, and the neti pot is a way of offering some relief. It is otherwise known as nasal irrigation, which might sound disgusting, but does appear to work. I would recommend giving it a try, but only on the proviso that you follow the instructions carefully – using the correct saline solution made from distilled or boiled water (to get rid of possible impurities).

By the way, I did feel bad, but that’s not me in the photo!

When I was a wine buyer there was one thing that I was always desperate to avoid during the winter months…. catching a cold or flu. It’s pretty obvious that a blocked nose would simply render you unable to work, which is why at the first sign of any symptom I would quickly dose myself with aspirin and vitamins. An over reaction perhaps, but it seemed to work quite well for me, and over the years I don’t recall spending too many periods out of action.

The reason I mention this now is because I am just recovering from a nasty bout of “man flu” (and yes, it apparently does exist). A new study suggests that men may actually suffer more when they are struck down with flu – because high levels of testosterone can weaken their immune response! The study was carried out by the Stanford University School of Medicine – and that’s good enough for me. The reality is however, that apart from a few flu tablets and a day or two in bed, there’s not really too much that you can do…. apart perhaps from one small discovery that I made recently – the Neti Pot.

When I get a cold it usually goes straight to my head and fills my sinuses, and the neti pot is a way of offering some relief. It is otherwise known as nasal irrigation, which might sound disgusting, but does appear to work. I would recommend giving it a try, but only on the proviso that you follow the instructions carefully – using the correct saline solution made from distilled or boiled water (to get rid of possible impurities).

By the way, I did feel bad, but that’s not me in the photo!

Just a quick note to wish all our Chinese friends and customers a Happy New Year (the year of the horse). I often make reference the fact that our wine is particularly well suited to Japanese food, but I should also say that it also makes a good accompaniment to many Chinese dishes too.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Just a quick note to wish all our Chinese friends and customers a Happy New Year (the year of the horse). I often make reference the fact that our wine is particularly well suited to Japanese food, but I should also say that it also makes a good accompaniment to many Chinese dishes too.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

The other day we went to our favourite restaurant for lunch. Personally speaking I much prefer dining out  at lunch time, especially as, since moving to Spain, I find it increasingly difficult to cope with their restaurant opening hours. Dinner, in this country, will commonly start at around 10pm, and perhaps finish in the early hours of the morning – far too late to digest a good meal properly. Eating at lunchtime does, however, leave me with a slightly different dilemma….. what to drink? Apart from the obvious consideration of food pairing, the next question is possibly how much alcohol you want to take on board in the middle of the day. This can certainly be a factor the style of wine that you might select. 

For example, a month or two ago, I found myself tempted by a  Marques de Griñon, Dominio de Valdepusa Petit Verdot at lunch time. (I am particularly fond of this wine having shared a bottle with its maker, Don Carlos Falco, on his estate several years ago.) The only downside of this deliciously ripe, rich, concentrated wine is the alcohol – pushing close to 15%. At this degree it is probably far too powerful to enjoy as luncheon wine simply because it can leave you reeling, or at the very least, feeling quite soporific. Suffice to say that either working or driving may well be out of the question after quaffing such a bottle.

When I started to write this post it wasn’t really intended to be an advertisement for albariño, but it is true to say that lower alcohol wines, such as ours, are probably far better suited to drink at lunch time than their more alcoholic counterparts.

The other day we went to our favourite restaurant for lunch. Personally speaking I much prefer dining out  at lunch time, especially as, since moving to Spain, I find it increasingly difficult to cope with their restaurant opening hours. Dinner, in this country, will commonly start at around 10pm, and perhaps finish in the early hours of the morning – far too late to digest a good meal properly. Eating at lunchtime does, however, leave me with a slightly different dilemma….. what to drink? Apart from the obvious consideration of food pairing, the next question is possibly how much alcohol you want to take on board in the middle of the day. This can certainly be a factor the style of wine that you might select. 

For example, a month or two ago, I found myself tempted by a  Marques de Griñon, Dominio de Valdepusa Petit Verdot at lunch time. (I am particularly fond of this wine having shared a bottle with its maker, Don Carlos Falco, on his estate several years ago.) The only downside of this deliciously ripe, rich, concentrated wine is the alcohol – pushing close to 15%. At this degree it is probably far too powerful to enjoy as luncheon wine simply because it can leave you reeling, or at the very least, feeling quite soporific. Suffice to say that either working or driving may well be out of the question after quaffing such a bottle.

When I started to write this post it wasn’t really intended to be an advertisement for albariño, but it is true to say that lower alcohol wines, such as ours, are probably far better suited to drink at lunch time than their more alcoholic counterparts.

I have just read an article which has left me a bit nonplussed, about a fight between the mighty Veuve Clicquot, and a small Italian sparkling wine producer – a real David and Goliath battle. And the reason for this fight? The colour of their label! Apparently, it would appear, that Veuve Clicquot have now laid claim to wine labels using every shade of yellow! If you look at the picture you will see what I mean. Maybe I’m going colour blind, but they really don’t look the same to me…. The Veuve Clicquot label is described as a yellow-orange shade which corresponds to the colour Pantone 137C, and has been registered as a European Trade Mark. So, effectively, this has now lead to the LVMH group (owners of Veuve Cliquot) focusing their considerable wealth and resources onto this small Italian winery. Ciro Picariello, a family owned producer in Campania, makes only 3,500 bottles of this wine, and so it would appear that LVMH may have lost a bit of perspective (and perhaps their sense of decency) in this particular instance.

Having said that, I can completely empathise with the Italians, as only a few years ago Bodegas Castro Martin lost a similar battle with the mega-rich French mineral water producer Evian. We had legally registered a wine brand called Avian (relating to birds, not water), but the huge French conglomerate Danone took exception, and eventually simply out-muscled us into dropping the name. It was hardly a level playing field, so I know exactly how these poor Italians must be feeling. 

I have just read an article which has left me a bit nonplussed, about a fight between the mighty Veuve Clicquot, and a small Italian sparkling wine producer – a real David and Goliath battle. And the reason for this fight? The colour of their label! Apparently, it would appear, that Veuve Clicquot have now laid claim to wine labels using every shade of yellow! If you look at the picture you will see what I mean. Maybe I’m going colour blind, but they really don’t look the same to me…. The Veuve Clicquot label is described as a yellow-orange shade which corresponds to the colour Pantone 137C, and has been registered as a European Trade Mark. So, effectively, this has now lead to the LVMH group (owners of Veuve Cliquot) focusing their considerable wealth and resources onto this small Italian winery. Ciro Picariello, a family owned producer in Campania, makes only 3,500 bottles of this wine, and so it would appear that LVMH may have lost a bit of perspective (and perhaps their sense of decency) in this particular instance.

Having said that, I can completely empathise with the Italians, as only a few years ago Bodegas Castro Martin lost a similar battle with the mega-rich French mineral water producer Evian. We had legally registered a wine brand called Avian (relating to birds, not water), but the huge French conglomerate Danone took exception, and eventually simply out-muscled us into dropping the name. It was hardly a level playing field, so I know exactly how these poor Italians must be feeling. 

We recently received a review (and rating of 92 points) for our Castro Martin albariño from the UK’s highly regarded Tim Atkin MW, but this time it’s the turn of another of his associates in the United States. The wine writer Mary Gorman-McAdams MW has just recommended one of our wines on the Kitchn website (no, I didn’t misspell the name). Our A2O 2012 wine was very favourably described as follows:

“Produced by the Bodegas Castro Martin, A20 is sourced from a plot of about 25 acres within the family vineyards. Very lively and refreshing showing a tasty contrast of zesty citrus and honeyed stone and yellow fruit with notes of dried herbs and a balsamic spiciness delicately woven through the flavors. Juicy, energetic finish.”

Naturally we are quite proud when any journalist (or customer for that matter) praises any of our wines, but clearly when that individual holds the title of MW, then this simply adds a little gloss to the endorsement.

We recently received a review (and rating of 92 points) for our Castro Martin albariño from the UK’s highly regarded Tim Atkin MW, but this time it’s the turn of another of his associates in the United States. The wine writer Mary Gorman-McAdams MW has just recommended one of our wines on the Kitchn website (no, I didn’t misspell the name). Our A2O 2012 wine was very favourably described as follows:

“Produced by the Bodegas Castro Martin, A20 is sourced from a plot of about 25 acres within the family vineyards. Very lively and refreshing showing a tasty contrast of zesty citrus and honeyed stone and yellow fruit with notes of dried herbs and a balsamic spiciness delicately woven through the flavors. Juicy, energetic finish.”

Naturally we are quite proud when any journalist (or customer for that matter) praises any of our wines, but clearly when that individual holds the title of MW, then this simply adds a little gloss to the endorsement.

Whether we like it or not our daily lives are all heavily influenced by the success or failure of the world banking and financial systems. I’m sure that most people would argue that they have a lot to answer for. More or less every industry is impacted, including the wine industry, whether this be caused directly, by a drop in consumption, or perhaps less obviously, by investment in wine futures or properties.

A few months ago we read dramatic headlines concerning a world shortage of wine – demand for wine had actually outstripped the supply, or so we were lead to believe. It transpires however, that upon closer investigation we may have been misled….. by the Australian research division of an investment bank…… with a vested interest in the wine industry!!!! All the news reports were apparently based on a single study carried out by Morgan Stanley, and closer inspection revealed that the report was actually promoting an Australian wine company as a top stock pick to buy.

It is said that one of the most effective ways of persuasion in investment banking is to come up with a thesis which might, in turn, create big attention-grabbing headlines such as ‘There’s a world shortage of wine’. Inevitably such a dramatic claim will attract lots of press coverage, and in the short term at least, grab the attention of the world. It seems however, that the “research” may have been flawed and based on some slightly distorted, or perhaps even manipulated information, in order to achieve the desired effect. In reality there were probably very few (in the wine industry) who believed it, and perhaps the number of failing wine businesses in France and Spain might go some way to supporting this opinion. 

Whether we like it or not our daily lives are all heavily influenced by the success or failure of the world banking and financial systems. I’m sure that most people would argue that they have a lot to answer for. More or less every industry is impacted, including the wine industry, whether this be caused directly, by a drop in consumption, or perhaps less obviously, by investment in wine futures or properties.

A few months ago we read dramatic headlines concerning a world shortage of wine – demand for wine had actually outstripped the supply, or so we were lead to believe. It transpires however, that upon closer investigation we may have been misled….. by the Australian research division of an investment bank…… with a vested interest in the wine industry!!!! All the news reports were apparently based on a single study carried out by Morgan Stanley, and closer inspection revealed that the report was actually promoting an Australian wine company as a top stock pick to buy.

It is said that one of the most effective ways of persuasion in investment banking is to come up with a thesis which might, in turn, create big attention-grabbing headlines such as ‘There’s a world shortage of wine’. Inevitably such a dramatic claim will attract lots of press coverage, and in the short term at least, grab the attention of the world. It seems however, that the “research” may have been flawed and based on some slightly distorted, or perhaps even manipulated information, in order to achieve the desired effect. In reality there were probably very few (in the wine industry) who believed it, and perhaps the number of failing wine businesses in France and Spain might go some way to supporting this opinion.