SPAIN and PORTUGAL

Spain and Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula. As ancient and rich in its wine story as are Italy, France, and the rest of Europe, but, for geographic and political reasons, it sometimes feels more remote. It hasn't always been so. Portugal's long friendship with England made Port wine one of the very first export commodities; in fact Port is one of the world's first wine appellations, in our modern understanding of the word. After phylloxera struck Bordeaux, winemakers flocked to Spain seeking grapes to make wine, and brought French traditions like aging wine in barrique along with them. The peninsula went "insular" in the 20th century when dictators assumed authority and sought to promote self-sufficiency that engaged in far less trade with the rest of the world. When Franco finally died in 1976, Spain began to re-blossom and the great, creative energetic movement, "La Movida," that was born in those times lives on today. 

Things are pretty interesting now. Centuries-long contracts are expiring in the Douro. The richness that is Iberia's great treasure trove of indigenous grapes are coming into view. Vineyard management is increasingly responsible, and many producers are moving towards low, or no interventionist methods in the cellar. Unique traditional practices, for example those used in making Sherry, or Port, are being preserved and ever more appreciated. We cannot wait to see what is around the corner.