guns2gewurztraminer
menu
guns2gewurztraminer

Cataluña

with-m-torres
With Miguel A Torres at Torres’ Mas Rabell restaurant

Cataluña (Catalunya) is an autonomous community of Spain, located on the northeastern extremity of the Iberian Peninsula with the Pyrenees mountain range separating it from France. Cataluña is a major wine producing area  of Spain with several famed denominated regions viz. Penedès, Conca de Barberá, Costers del Segre Priorat and Cataluña itself. The region is famously recognized by its native Parellada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo grape varietals that go into Cava production, as also unique terroir application to international varietals.

I was invited by Torres S.A. the famed wine producer of Spain to visit their facilities in Cataluña and La Rioja. Torres family is universally acclaimed as single-handedly  reviving the fortunes of wine trade in  the all-important Penédes  region. It was these efforts  that led to the region’s recognition as a DO (Denominación de Origen) in 1976 under the Appellation  regulations. The Torres Family has since then ventured much beyond Penédes owning  more than 2,400 hectares of vineyards, most of which are located in Spain apart from the ones in Chile and California. These wines are exported  to more than 160 countries across the world-  including India.

dsc02857
Torres winery in Pacs del Penedès
Mas Rabell vineyards
Experimental vineyards at Mas Rabell to revive ‘lost’ grape varietals

Right from Barcelona, the capital of Cataluña and radiating outwards to the wine sub regions, I had the opportunity to visit the various wine properties of Torres, learning about their cultivation methods, interacting with winemakers, visiting the wineries, sampling some outstanding food-wine pairings and sharing lunch with none other than the iconic Miguel Torres himself!

Mas Rabell entry
Entry of Mas Rabell restaurant
Park Guille Barcelona
A panoramic view of Barcelona city from Park Guille

Right from Barcelona, the capital of Cataluña and radiating outwards to the wine sub regions, I had the opportunity to visit the various wine properties of Torres, learning about their cultivation methods, interacting with winemakers, visiting the wineries, sampling some outstanding food-wine pairings and sharing lunch with none other than the iconic Miguel Torres himself!

cataluna-map

The random images can probably not do justice to the adrenalin rush that I experienced during my visit to Cataluña but will hopefully convey the excitement that the region holds for wine lovers.