From Cava to Priorat: The Catalan Pursuit
Nota Bene: Wine Lines’ Old World vino correspondent Tom Madrecki is traveling through Spain’s Catalan region from March 11-17 for the annual Cava “assemblage.” Check back regularly for his latest updates from overseas.
March 11, 2012
Plane departs in … less than 24 hours. Viva la fiesta! Spain, here we come!
March 12, 2012
Just checked in at the Casa Torner i Guell in Penedes, 45 minutes by car from Barcelona. Wow, is all I’ll say for now — gorgeous room, modern lighting, the works. And already sipping a bottle of Segura Viudas sparkling rose — a great preview to what is to come this week during the annual assemblage. To add more to Glen’s review … I’ll say the “steely-gunflint edge” reminds me more of yeasty bread and green tea. But one thing’s for sure: It’s a solid value at the price and a perfect match for a big bowl of ripe strawberries…
More later!
March 13, 2012
Things that are amazing:
– The fact that Spaniards have gone crazy for gintonics, a fascinating trend that has given rise to whole bars full of gin and extensive artesian tonic water selections.
– The views from the mountain vineyard slopes of Segura Viudas winery, overlooking the sun-kissed peaks and pine-oak forests of the countryside.
– Legs of jambon
– Siestas
– Fiestas
– Calzote feasts
– Legs of jambon … wait … already said that. Oh and the wonderful hospitality of the Segura Viudas staff. Gloria Collell and Toni Domenech are knowledgeable and surprisingly in-tune with American consumers, showing a passion for wine balanced with an acute business sense. One of the issues I will continue to explore in future posts about Segura Viudas is that they’ve correctly positioned the brand as the “smart buy,” strategically putting them in a position to succeed abroad. That the winery experienced 17 percent growth in America and 10 percent overall growth last year says enough.
– The pending assemblage today!
Things that aren’t so amazing:
– The fact that I have some amazing photos to share, but that my computer absolutely stubbornly refuses to upload them.
– The fact that I’ve barely had time to put a glass down, let alone write anything meaningful. Expect me to return to these posts often over the next two weeks.
– That we’re leaving Cava in a few hours … am I the first person to ever “complain” about going to Priorat?
More soon!
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RATINGS EXPLAINED
80-84 points: A sound wine that shows varietal character. 85-89 points: An unflawed wine that shows some depth and concentration of aromas and flavors. 90-93 points: A Gold Medal wine of its type, showing balance, depth and secondary flavor profiles found in the best of its style. 94-97 points: Hedonistic pleasure in a glass. Remarkable balance, aromas, flavor and length. A pure expression of the varietal or type. 98-100 points: A wine for the ages! Will drink sublimely for decades. Learn more here!
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