Regions
Burgundy, Loire, Rioja, Jerez. Per region: terroir, grapes, taste.
1 · Regions
Côte des Bar: Champagne's southern outsider
The Côte des Bar in the Aube sits 100 km south of Reims on Kimmeridgian marl. Pinot Noir-driven and the epicentre of grower Champagne.
Vallée de la Marne: the Meunier bastion of Champagne
The Vallée de la Marne follows the river west from Épernay. Meunier dominates on clay and marl, with the grower revolution as a constant thread.
Wine Restaurants Amsterdam: Six Honest Picks
Guide to wine restaurants in Amsterdam: Italian, French, natural wine and bistronomy. Wine list focus, price range and atmosphere per address.
Champagne region and terroir: four subregions, one AOC
Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Bar. The four subregions of Champagne, their soils and what Grand Cru means.
The Sherry Triangle: Jerez, Sanlúcar, Albariza
The sherry triangle between Jerez, Sanlúcar and El Puerto. Marco de Jerez DOP, white albariza chalk and Atlantic winds, in one guide.
Champagne: Grapes, Region and Styles
Complete guide to Champagne wine: grapes, appellations, styles from blanc de blancs to rosé, grower champagne versus the grandes maisons, and what cuvées mean.
Crémant vs Champagne: What's the Difference?
Crémant vs champagne compared: production method, lees aging, grapes, and price. Find out which sparkling wine to choose and when.
Chablis: Grape, Region and Flavour Profile
Everything about Chablis wine: Chardonnay from northern Burgundy. Grand cru vs premier cru, how it compares to other Burgundies, and practical buying tips.
Pouilly-Fumé: Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire
Everything about Pouilly-Fumé wine: Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. Flavour profile, Sancerre comparison, top producers and why it is not Burgundy.
Loire Valley: Wines, Regions and Grape Varieties
Everything about the Loire Valley wine region: from Muscadet to Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Franc. A guide to the white, red and sparkling wines.
Saint-Véran: Appellation, Flavour and Buying Tips
Everything about Saint-Véran wine: Chardonnay appellation next to Pouilly-Fuissé. Flavour profile, best producers and why this wine deserves more attention.
Mâconnais: Region, Wines and Appellations
Everything about the Mâconnais wine region: Chardonnay appellations from Mâcon-Villages to Pouilly-Fuissé, key producers and what to buy.
Bourgogne Blanc: What It Is and What to Buy
Everything about Bourgogne Blanc wine: Burgundy's generic white appellation explained. What the label tells you, which producers matter, and when to buy it.
Les Riceys: Champagne's Best-Kept Secret
Les Riceys lies at the southern edge of Champagne, near Burgundy. This village legally produces three different AOC wines, including the rare Rosé des Riceys.
Rioja Wine: Tempranillo, Oak and DOCa Rules
Dive into the heart of Rioja, where centuries-old traditions meet modern winemaking. Everything you need to know about Spain's most iconic wines.
This is the reference. For reviews, opinion and podcast conversations about regions: see the blocks below.
Regions on Sparks (podcast)
Conversations featuring regions. 8 episodes.