How much Rioja has changed!

Been coming since the Seventies but … over the last 10 years or so there has been a revolucion! Before, it was just 'Big Bodegas do Big Blends'. Now, there's this sprouting of small, arty new bodegas that have given so much work to the world's wildest architects. (Planning consent? Isn't any. The wackier the better).

But most good bodegas are now busy combing the hills for tiny ancient vineyards to be made into micro-cuvee 'specials' (something I asked for 15 years ago and just could not get). 'Lost' grape varieties are being found and resuscitated. It’s dynamic. It’s all 'go'. Or was until the you-know-what crisis thingy. Now? Well, we remain hopeful.

Feeling surreal. Sleep deprivation or what? Got to bed at 2am. to be woken at 6, I can't sleep, I'm in a Hollywood dream. I'm in room high in a castle, a NEW castle! Very comfy castle. in the middle of nowhere. Vines all around. Then desert. It’s Inaqui's dream. He produces films. Made 'Basic Instinct'. (Says Sharon Stone was the first to sleep in this bed! Mmm!) Built his castle, planted his vineyard, dug a winery, asked Jean-Marc to consult and just got the biggest haul of medals and trophies in modern times! Thanks to Jean-Marc we got here first.

Look out for details next month. A 'not-to-be-missed'!

Two hours later ... as the sun comes up I'm standing in the freezing vineyards trying to look like a film star while Yves takes a million shots! Sharon not here tho'. Pity. Then with Inaki we hope to do this deal about free trips for customers to stay here and get giant bottles. It's all surreal I tell you.



Amazingly, we just caught the train; 'La Vinguardia' (a beauty) to Barcelona. Still surreal tho'.