Are you one of those people who enjoy organizing meeting with friends and family at home, but always doubt about the right amount of wine you need to buy? It might help you to know that the international standards are 6 glasses of wine per bottle. But you must consider some specificities in order to please all your guests.

The Albariño grape from Galicia and Portugal has exciting possibilities in California, and more specifically in the Russian River Valley. This vineyard seems to prosper in their harvest and Marimar Torres, from Bodegas Torres states that they have great expectations.

Confronted to the vast choice of wine available on the market we often have to take difficult decisions when it comes to choose one. Don’t forget the original flavours of the sweet and fortified wines! These are two options to consider when you are facing the wide (and wild?) world of wines.

Spain is one of the countries of the world in which the quality and variety of wine is more prominent internationally, especially since, in recent decades, local producers, institutions and numerous appellations of origin have taken care of these areas, traditionally reserved to a few varieties.

Apart from the famous wines -reds and whites- of Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Penedes, to name just a few appellations, the sweet, fortified or 'generous' wines have always been placed among the most consumed varieties, especially Sherry, thanks to the success they have had for centuries in the British Isles and other European countries. 

The world of gastronomy is increasingly linked to actors or singers who decide to have their own cellars to make wine or elaborate spirits or sell them under their name. 

It is always an important marketing strategy that makes many people to buy this drink always under the name of a famous person. We have some remarkable examples, such as Marilyn Manson, known for leading the industrial rock band of the same name, which promoted a famous absinthe liqueur. 

Although Italy is renowned for its red and rosé wines, it produces also white wines. His most recognized appellations of origin produce high quality white wines, fresh, full-bodied and with a light touch of spicy flavor that usually fascinate the most demanding palates.

French producers are concerned, and rightly so, because -apart from other problems related to competition and appellations of origin- they are seeing as, in recent years, their countrymen are drinking less and less amount of wine. In fact, according to a recent study made by FranceAgriMer, under the French Ministry of Agriculture, the average consumption is just one glass a day when traditionally it was much higher.

According to the affirmations of many wine-growers",  Rioja, which is one of the most important wine regions of Spain, is becoming more polarized in what is concerning the quality of their wines.  "The region has become more divided. On the one hand, in the extreme south they produce wine in big quantities, while in other parts they focus more on good quality rather than on quantity.

There are wine-growers that damage the image of the Rioja wine when they place Gran Reserve wines at the market at the price of only 8 pounds (12 euros)",  Jesús Madrazo, head of Viñedos del Continuo, told Uvinum during his last visit to London.  

As a big fan of Asian countries and lifestyle in today's post I want to talk about drinking in the oriental hemisphere. Many of us have visited Asian countries and confess to be addicted to local food but what about drinking alcohol in this part of the world?

Are there any drinks in Asia people are fund of that have not been exported to other countries yet? Or let's say any drink that should be taken just on one specific spot and nowhere else.

Spain has exceptional wines in each of its provinces. Alicante could not be less, and the DOP Alicante ensures enhancing its wines and expanding its sales and popularity.

We're talking about wines elaborated thanks to a wide variety of climates, where the Mediterranean is one of the highlights. The style of the wines of Alicante is one of their values, and the winemakers from this area struggle everyday for it. Its wide range of wines offers different tastes, so there's one for every type of consumer. Choose yours!