The essence

New Ecological Project

By on noviembre 22, 2013 / Leave a comment

It has been a while since new posts have been added but that does not mean that I have been idle, check out www.thewineplace.es – this project has been and is much more focussed on using social media to communicate with members. A brief report about a new venture that we are working on this …

My day as a Sailor

By on septiembre 23, 2012 / Leave a comment

I was invited to be ‘guest sailor’ on the Audi All4One  boat in the Valencia Cup 2012 TP52″ Super Series.  The helmsman was Jochen Schumann (3 Olympics golds, two Americas Cup plus loads of other stuff).  The team was made up of America’s Cup and Olympic gold medalists from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and just for …

Friday 13th July, 39 ºC

By on julio 14, 2012 / Leave a comment

  Friday 13th July, 4pm, 39ºC and it is hot, very hot here in the vineyards beside the Torre Oria winery in Requena.  Healthy, well set bunches of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are given shade and protection from the burning sun and hot breeze by layers of large bright green leaves.  The vine are 50cm above …

What is Driving the Price of Wine?

By on julio 04, 2012 / Leave a comment

While Spain is desperate for cash and loans from the EU, unemployed touching 25%, the economy stuck in recession, many medium sized wineries are either bankrupt or at best struggling, the story with Spanish wine exports could not be more different. In the first quarter of 2012 total wine exports are up in value by …

A Dry Winter

By on junio 14, 2012 / Leave a comment

Mid June and the vineyards are looking in Requena and Valencia are a vibrant green.  However, while on the surface things look pretty good the key element effecting this crop was the lack of rainfall during the winter.  Volumes are going down by at least 10%, on current predictions. Curiously, while the Spanish economy teeters …

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