spaswinefood: Costa Daurada: Great wine, food, and history

When the #winelover community met in Costa Daurada (Golden Coast) in Catalonia, Spain on February 14-18, 2018, we came to celebrate our 6th anniversary. From our base in the old Roman city of Tarragona we did excursions to DO Tarragona, DO Conca de Barberá, DO Montsant, and DOQ Priorat. Besides learning about the Costa Daurada wine areas we were introduced to the local history and culture, and wonderful Catalan cuisine.

Vinyes Domènech, DO Montsant © Spaswinefood

Wine Tasting, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood

We soon discovered that Costa Daurada is home to amazing wines, wineries, and vineyards. Before writing about each of our experiences this Spaswinefood enthusiast will share an overview.

Wine Tasting and BYOB
Our first evening in Tarragona began with a wine tasting led by Josep Pelegrin at Casa Joan Miret. It was a blind tasting of the Catalan grape varieties sponsored by INCAVI.

Catalan Grape Varieties © Spaswinefood

The six grape varieties were Black Grenache, Carignan, Macabeu, White Grenache, Sumoll, and Trepat.

Catalunya Wine Regions © Spaswinefood

We were introduced to each grape variety by representative wines. All the wines were tasted blind, without revealing the producer.

Tasting Catalan Grape Varieties © Spaswinefood

I appreciated having the opportunity to not only learn about the grape varieties but also to meet Josep Pelegrin, Sommelier.

Josep Pelegrin, Sommelier © Spaswinefood

For me it was very helpful to begin with an introduction to the significant Catalan grape varieties.

The blind wine tasting was followed by a BYOB dinner. It is custom at #winelover gatherings to bring a wine to share. There were indeed many special wines shared that evening.

BYOB Dinner © Spaswinefood

Indeed our first evening in Tarragona was an awesome kick-off for the next three days.

Day One: DO Tarragona and DO Conca de Barberá

Bright and early the next morning we were off on a guided cultural and historical tour of Tarragona.

#Winelovers Tour Historic Tarragona © Spaswinefood

Touring Tarragona © Spaswinefood

We ended our walking tour overlooking the Roman amphitheater at seaside. I enjoyed learning about the walled city during Roman times, and viewing it in today's context is quite impressive.

Roman Amphitheatre, Tarragona © Spaswinefood

Nulles Wine Cathedral, Alt Camp was our first wine stop. Here we toured the winery, learnt about the cooperative's history, and tasted wines.

Nulles Wine Cathedral, Alt Camp © Spaswinefood

Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood

After the tour we were introduced to DO Tarragona wines.

Wine Tasting, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood

Next, it was onto Padro & Company for a Vermouth experience.

Padro & Company © Spaswinefood

Here our winery tour focused on how vermouth is made. Afterwards we returned to the courtyard for a mid-morning snack and a vermouth tasting.

Padro & Company © Spaswinefood

Over a Calçotada lunch in the village of Barberá de la Conca we were introduced to wines from DO Conca de Barberá.

#Winelovers, Barberá de la Conca © Spaswinefood

We participated in a Catalan gastronomic tradition that is usually celebrated January to April. Calçots, a type of scallion or onion, are grilled over a fire. Grape wines are most commonly used as a fuel. Grilled meats and sausages are commonly served with the Calçots, which is dipped in romesco sauce. This gastronomic event is accompanied by wine of course. Dessert is typically oranges with cava.

Grilling Calçots @Spaswinefood

Three DO Conca de Barberá wineries (Cava Andrea, Vega Aixala, and Success Vinicola) shared their wines with us over a most delightful and insightful lunch.

DO Conca de Barberá Winemakers © Spaswinefood

After such an awesome day we returned to Tarragona.

Day Two: DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant
Upon arrival in Priorat we did a tour of Cartoixa d’Escaladei and Cellars Scala Dei.

Entering Cartoixa d’Escaladei © Spaswinefood

Leaving Cartoixa d’Escaladei © Spaswinefood

The Carthusian Monastery, founded in 1163, is located in the heart of the Priorat region.

We concluded our Priorat visit with lunch at Clos Figueras. Over lunch we tasted wines from four of the Priorat Singular wineries.

After an amazing visit to Priorat our wine country day concluded with wine tasting and dinner at Hostal Sport in Falset. This wine tasting was a complete Montsant zone tasting.

After the wine tasting we ate dinner with Montsant wines.

Being introduced to both Priorat and Montsant wines was indeed a rewarding vine-filled day.

Day Three: DO Montsant, Wine Tasting and Dinner at El Seminari, Tarragona
On our last day we returned to DO Montsant for a winery visit and lunch at Vinyes Domènech.

Our final #winelover 6th Anniversary event at El Seminari was quite a finale. The event began with Costa Daurada DO wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. There was a Tarragona Blues band during the tasting. The evening concluded with dinner.

I left Costa Daurada with the most wonderful #winelover memories.

Costa Daurada #Winelover 6th Anniversary certainly provided us with an amazing overview of the five wine Denomination of Origin (DO Conca de Barbera, DO Montsant, DO Penedes, DOQ Priorat and DO Tarragona), as well as part of Cava’s Denomination of Origin, or the Catalunya Denomination of Origin. This #winelover would like to thank our host Sinisa Curavic, SweetEasy and all the sponsors of Costa Daurada #Winelover 6th Anniversary. The organization was truly outstanding. I invite you to join me in my explorations of Costa Daurada and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

February 2018
Tarragona, Spain

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Note: I would like to note that part of the expenses for local events was covered by the sponsors. All other expenses (travel and lodging) was covered by Spaswinefood.

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Friday, February 23, 2018

Costa Daurada: Great wine, food, and history

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