There are some days that freeze in your memory forever. One such day was when #winelovers returned to DO Montsant to visit Vinyes Domènech. Here over a very special lunch we experienced DO Montsant gastronomy at its best. Our Vinyes Domènech adventure included a very special wine pairing with nature. It will be hard to beat our last #winelover adventure in Costa Daurada wine country.
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| #Winelover Moments, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
The Domènech family winery is committed to maintaining a wine estate that is expressive of the landscape and its unique biodiversity. Their DO Montsant wines are not only rooted in a sense of place but also made with great care. The winery uses organic and biodynamic practises in the vineyard. DO Montsant takes its name from the Montsant Mountains. The DO forms a C shape, almost completely surrounding the DOQ Priorat. Previously known as the Falset subzone of the Tarragona wine region, DO Montsant was founded in 2001, with the first wines released in 2001. DO Montsant consists of six wine zones. Given each of these zones have been defined by factors, such as their unique physical geography, soils, and climatic variations then Vinyes Domènech has a very special uniqueness in this region.
The Uniqueness of Vinyes Domènech
Upon arrival at Vinyes Domènech we were greeted by the Domènech family and Chef Iolanda Bustos. Soon we began to experience what makes this place special.
Before tasting the wines we did a walk in the vineyard with the owner and his sons.
While touring the vineyard in February with Mr. Grenache, as the owner is affectionately called, I could not help but notice that some of the trees were already in bloom.
During our walk there were many things to see.
Even in February the vineyard was so inviting.
The older vines surely caught my attention.
After the vineyard walk we briefly checked out the forest surrounding the property.
Wine and Food Paired with Nature
Upon returning to the winery I took a seat near the window.
There I joined #winelover friends for lunch.
It was the perfect seat to take in the vineyard views, and observe the wine tasting.
Our lunch was introduced by Chef Iolanda Bustos, Calendula Restaurant, Regencós, Girona. Chef Bustos uses flowers and herbs from the vineyard landscape in her cooking. Inspired by the flowers and herbs, she experienced as a child growing up in this area, these plants are now apart of the cuisine she creates. She is committed to using the finest seasonal products in her culinary creations.
Lunch at Vinyes Domènech was an affair to remember. We began with an introductory tasting of their white wines.
During lunch we were joined at our table by winemaker, Andrea Fernandez Asens.
I very much enjoyed chatting with the winemaker about the wines we tasted. Let's take a look at Catalan gastronomy at its best.
Wine Pairing with Nature
Vinyes Domènech white wines that I tasted included:
1. Vinyes Domènech, Bancal Del Bosc White 2016
This white wine was paired with sword razor with sorrel juice, oxalis, fennel and white rocket.
The vegetarian version was equally as impressive.
2. Vinyes Domènech, Rita 2016
Rita was paired with white garlic soup, which included marinated amberjack, grapes, yellow flower petals, burnet leaves and alyssum flowers. The food presentation was impressive to say the least.
Let me not forget the vegetarian version.
In this case the food presentation was equally as amazing.
Can I say enough about the excellence in taste and presentation of these dishes. Next, I will share the Vinyes Domènech red wines that I tasted.
3. Vinyes Domènech, Bancal Del Bosc Red
The wine was paired with duck fois minuet with strawberry tree berry compote and balsamic wild herbs.
The veggie option was delicious.
4. Vinyes Domènech, Furvus 2014
While I tasted my first Furvus at Cellarer, Barcelona it was a special moment to revisit this elegant wine.
Then next course, fermented beet carpaccio with creamy cheese, champion and elderberry vinaigrette with lavender was not only was skillfully prepared but also visually appealing.
5. Vinyes Domènech,Vines Velles De Samsó
This wine was paired with apple and Catalan sausage cannelloni with herbal pesto and vine flowers.
6. Vinyes Domènech,Teixar 2014
The last course was veal tatami with carob praline, truffle, hazelnuts and aromatic flowers. This course was paired with Vinyes Domènech,Teixar 2014.
Now for the vegetarian option, pepper with carob praline, truffle, hazelnuts and aromatic flowers.
Dessert was equally as spectacular in presentation and taste. I delighted in tasting the flower infused cream with cherries, orange sponge cake with violet syrup and almond petals.
Desert was paired with a sweet Grenache.
7. Vinyes Domènech, Garnatxa Dolça 2011
Prior to visiting Vinyes Domènech we did a a complete Montsant zone tasting, and dinner at Hostal Sport, Falset. Our visit to Vinyes Domènech was indeed "the icing on the cake" for our visit to DO Montsant. Sharing this very special experience with #winelover friends from around the world can not be topped.
These are the moments that get etched in your memory forever.
Visiting Vinyes Domènech during for our Costa Daurada #Winelover 6th Anniversary certainly set a high standard against which to judge DO Montsant wines. This #winelover would like to thank Sinisa Curavic, SweetEasy and the hosts of this event. I invite you to join me in my explorations of Costa Daurada and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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| Vinyes Domènech, DO Montsant © Spaswinefood |
Upon arrival at Vinyes Domènech we were greeted by the Domènech family and Chef Iolanda Bustos. Soon we began to experience what makes this place special.
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| Joan Ignasi and Rita (owners), and Chef Iolanda Bustos (center) © Spaswinefood |
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| Mr. Grenache, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Blossoms, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| February Blossoms, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Vineyard Flowers, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| February Vineyard, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Old Vines, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
After the vineyard walk we briefly checked out the forest surrounding the property.
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| Off to the Forest, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Vineyard & Forest View, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
Upon returning to the winery I took a seat near the window.
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| Tables Waiting, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Table Waiting, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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Best of Friends, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood
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Celebrating Costa Daurada,Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood
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| Menu Presentation, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Glasses Ready, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Blossoms and Wine, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Winemaker Andrea Fernandez Asens, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
Wine Pairing with Nature
Vinyes Domènech white wines that I tasted included:
1. Vinyes Domènech, Bancal Del Bosc White 2016
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| Bancal Del Bosc White DO Montsant 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Sword razor with sorrel juice, oxalis, fennel and white rocket © Spaswinefood |
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| Vegetarian Option, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Rita DO Montsant 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Rita DO Montsant 2016 (back label) © Spaswinefood |
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| Marinated amberjack, grapes, yellow flower petals, burnet leaves & alyssum flowers © Spaswinefood |
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| White Garlic Soup, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Grapes, yellow flower petals, burnet leaves & alyssum flowers © Spaswinefood |
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| Grapes, yellow flower petals, burnet leaves & alyssum flowers © Spaswinefood |
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| Vegetarian White Garlic Soup, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
3. Vinyes Domènech, Bancal Del Bosc Red
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| Bancal Del Bosc Red DO Montsant 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Bancal Del Bosc Red 2016 (back label) © Spaswinefood |
The wine was paired with duck fois minuet with strawberry tree berry compote and balsamic wild herbs.
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| Duck fois minuet, strawberry tree berry compote & balsamic wild herbs © Spaswinefood |
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| Cheese, strawberry tree berry compote & balsamic wild herbs © Spaswinefood |
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| Bancal Del Bosc Red in the Glass © Spaswinefood |
While I tasted my first Furvus at Cellarer, Barcelona it was a special moment to revisit this elegant wine.
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Furvus DO Montsant 2014 © Spaswinefood
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| Fermented beet carpaccio © Spaswinefood |
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| Vines Velles De Samsó (Center) © Spaswinefood |
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| Apple & Catalan sausage cannelloni with herbal pesto & vine flowers © Spaswinefood |
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| Apple & veggie cannelloni with herbal pesto & vine flowers © Spaswinefood |
6. Vinyes Domènech,Teixar 2014
The last course was veal tatami with carob praline, truffle, hazelnuts and aromatic flowers. This course was paired with Vinyes Domènech,Teixar 2014.
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| Teixar DO Montsant 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Pepper with carob praline, truffle, hazelnuts and aromatic flowers © Spaswinefood |
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| Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
7. Vinyes Domènech, Garnatxa Dolça 2011
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| Garnatxa Dolça DO Montsant 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Lunch with Friends, Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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| Thanks Vinyes Domènech © Spaswinefood |
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