Behind the label with Bodegas Mateos, Rioja Oriental
Formerly known as Rioja Baja, the most easterly sub-region of Rioja never seemed to carry much weight. The word "baja" translates as "lower" and the area was named as such because the altitude in that part of the Ebro Valley doesn't quite reach the heights of siblings Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa to the west.
A day in the Médoc
Sitting on Bordeaux's Left Bank, the Médoc covers just over 16,500 hectares of prime wine real estate. The region covers eight named appellations: the Médoc and Haut-Médoc, as well as the more famous Saint-Éstephe, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Listrac-Médoc and Moulis. Interestingly, although the wines from these appellations come at a variety of different price and quality levels, they are appellations for red wine only.
Behind the label: Rothschild wines with Sarah and Georgie of Waddesdon Wine
My electronic calendar puts an image of a pair of trainers - you know, like running shoes - against OWC staff training. If only it knew! I suppose, though, we are on a kind fitness programme - reinforcing the basics and keeping up with latest developments. Today's session was a perfect example - revision on Bordeaux as part of our month's Médoc promotion, and an introduction to Rothschilds' Bordeaux, courtesy of Waddesdon Wine.