Forgive me for replying in English, rather than Spanish, but I can express

Forgive me for replying in English, rather than Spanish, but I can express myself more clearly in my own language.

I'd like, fist of all, to thank all the people who have commented on the link to my classification. I'd also like to point that it's only one of 88 pages in an in-depth report!

It was not my intention to compare Rioja to Bordeaux, Burgundy, or anywhere else. Or to comment on the pan-regional, "negociant" model versus vineyard-focused wines in the classification. It's just my way of listing the people I think are doing the best job.

It made me laugh that someone described this is a "money making venture". How, exactly? It's just a way of drawing attention to the revolution that is happening in Rioja and getting people talking about the place rather than just drinking £5.47 Gran Reservas....

It's only my opinion, but it's based on a lot of tasting and nearly 30 years' of visits to Rioja. I certainly expected the classification to generate some comments, as it has done, but isn't that what good wine writing should do. There will be a new classification next year and bodegas will rise and fall. I haven't tasted wines from all 600 Riojan bodegas, but I will taste even more widely next year.

Un saludo desde Inglaterra. Tim