Those are strawberries, not uva fragola...

Not me, but I do have a friend who broke two toes falling over his dog while playing a game of chase with it while drunk.

And such a great region to be writing about right now. A renewed sense of optimism, dynamic young producers and some truly stonking wines at ridiculously low prices.

I think there may have been considerable bottle variation. The 1989 poured at the back of the room was still looking pretty vibrant.

Ooh, sounds interesting. I’ll recommend it to my students

Done! (The triumph of optimism over experience...)

I've been out at restaurants with my husband/friends and literally had the somm stand between our chairs and body block whoever I'm with because he (and it's always a he) wants to face me and chat with the MW. Doesn't make for a relaxed, convivial dining experience

Totally! I’m a second-generation Brit, brought up to think of myself as European , and I’m fucking furious that a key part of my identity has been ripped away from me.

I'd probably want to spend 3 days in SS, but that's mainly because I know it less well than Bilbao. Might also depend on whether you have a car and are able to get out and explore...

Depends on whether you want a foodie holiday or a mixed foodie/culture break! (If the former, SS3).

Agreed. It's a shame, as you put in so much effort (MWstudyfacts was a brilliant resource), but the site has become toxic, both in terms of content and ownership...

Glad you're safe. Hope everyone you know is too. What a terrible thing to happen...

Thank you!

Go and read some of my pieces, or attend one of my consumer events. It would be immediately clear that I don’t write/talk/communicate about wine/AOP regulations or anything like that. I have made a point throughout my career of trying to make wine as accessible as possible