Our wine country adventures began in Tarragona, a port city founded in 5th century BC. Besides getting to know nearby wine country we were introduced to the local history and culture, and wonderful Catalan cuisine. It was quite fitting that our first stop, before beginning our #winelover explorations, was the historic walled city of Tarragona.
Once inside the entrance we met our guide.
He took us on a walking tour through the alley ways of Old Town. I loved the colorful street poles.
The light was just perfect that February day. Some #winelovers took selfies along the way.
It was hard for me not to think of checking out Spaswinefood interests, even when I am on an historical sight seeing walk.
During our Old City tour we stopped at Tarragona Cathedral, and the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona.
The final stop on our walking tour was a vista overlooking the Roman amphitheater at seaside. I enjoyed learning about the walled city, and viewing Roman ruins. Moreover, viewing Old City in today's context is quite impressive.
Our tour was indeed a great introduction to Tarragona's history.
After discovering some of Tarragona's rich history we were off to wine country. Come along with me on our DO Tarragona wine country outing.
Nulles Wine Cathedral, DO Tarragona
DO Tarragona Nulles Wine Cathedral, Alt Camp was our wine stop. Vinicola de Nulles is one of the best examples of modernist architecture. This emblematic building was designed by Cesar Martinell.
While waiting to enter the winery I spotted a large wine press on display.
While touring the winery we learnt about the cooperative's history, and tasted wines. Prior history centers on Nulles inhabitants creating the cellar in 1917, with the production of the first harvest in 1920. The winery despite many challenges in the past has managed to re-emerge. 100 partners share 400 hectares of vineyards that are used in the production the Adernats brand since 1987. With the growth in enotourism the winery now offers enoexperiences.
Upon entering the winery some old wine bottles caught by my attention.
While touring the winery our host, she shared some of the winery's past architectural and viticultural history. We also learned about recent exciting enotourism developments.
I quite admired the cathedral ceiling at the winery. I could not help but take peek out the windows.
Yes, it was a beautiful February day.
Just a closer look at the countryside reminded me why I love a Mediterranean climate.
While on the second level of the winery some of their wine bottles were on display. I could not resist taking photos.
Adernats Tempus Fugit
Adernats Xarel-lo Vermell
Adernats Reserva Rosat Cava
Adernats Tempus Fugit
I admired the unique construction of parabolic arches in this winery.
After the tour we were introduced to Adernats wines and cavas.
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| Tarragona Wine Reflections, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
Tarragona city is located just an hour's train ride from Barcelona. Just like Barcelona, Tarragona is not only a city but also a province. Tarragona Province in eastern Spain is the southern most autonomous community within Catalonia (Catalunya). Some know the area, not by its provincial name, but as Costa Daurada (Golden Coast) because of its fishing villages and seaside towns along the Mediterranean Coast. Tarragona Province, known for its gastronomic attractions, is home to amazing wines, wineries, and vineyards.
Without doubt the history of wines in Catalonia is ancient. Ancient Greeks probably were the first to bring wines here. The Romans who followed are known to have produced wines. Today Catalonia is home to 12 appellations, with six of those in Tarragona Province. DO Tarragona is one of those, and it is where we began our wine country explorations. While 70% of DO Tarragona wines produced are white wines the appellation does also produce red wines, sparkling wines and dessert wines. The authorized white grapes are Macabeu, Grenacha Blanca, Pedro Ximénez; whereas the red grapes are Garnacha tinta, Carignan, Tempranillo (Ull de Lichre), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Let's Begin in Historical Tarragona
Bright and early that first day we were off on a guided cultural and historical tour of Tarragona. Arriving at the entrance to walled medieval Old Town we toured Tarragona's living history.
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| Catalunya Wine Regions © Spaswinefood |
Let's Begin in Historical Tarragona
Bright and early that first day we were off on a guided cultural and historical tour of Tarragona. Arriving at the entrance to walled medieval Old Town we toured Tarragona's living history.
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| Entering Tarragona's Walled City © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelovers Tour Historic Tarragona © Spaswinefood |
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| Street Poles, Tarragona's Old City © Spaswinefood |
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| Old City, Tarragona © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelover, Posing with Tarragona Street Poles © Spaswinefood |
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| Food Spotting, Tarragona © Spaswinefood |
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| Touring Tarragona's Old City © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelovers, Old City Tarragona © Spaswinefood |
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| Roman Amphitheatre, Tarragona © Spaswinefood |
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| Tarragona's Living History © Spaswinefood |
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| Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
Nulles Wine Cathedral, DO Tarragona
DO Tarragona Nulles Wine Cathedral, Alt Camp was our wine stop. Vinicola de Nulles is one of the best examples of modernist architecture. This emblematic building was designed by Cesar Martinell.
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| #Winelovers, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Press, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
Upon entering the winery some old wine bottles caught by my attention.
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| Earlier Wine Labels, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| Earlier Cava Labels, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| Earlier Cava Label, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| Nulles Wine Cathedral, Alt Camp © Spaswinefood |
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| 2 Level, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| Through the Window, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| A Window View, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| A Closer View, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
Adernats Tempus Fugit
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| Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Tempus Fugit © Spaswinefood |
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| Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Xarel-lo Vermell © Spaswinefood |
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| Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Reserva Rosat Cava © Spaswinefood |
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Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Tempus Fugit © Spaswinefood
Adernats Tempus Fugit
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| Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Tempus Fugit © Spaswinefood |
I admired the unique construction of parabolic arches in this winery.
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| Tank Area, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Tasting, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
The wines I tried that day included:
Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Seduccio
Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Brut Reserva Cava NV
Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Essencia (100% Xarel-lo)
Accompanying the Adernats wines were some delicious local bread and olive oil to try. My understanding is that this is part of their enotourism experience.
During our #winelover's visit to Nulles Wine Cathedral we learnt about its history and wines. Learning about the history of winemaking at Nulles was a delightful intro to DO Tarragona wines. Later that day we would visited Padro & Company for a Vermouth experience, followed by a fabulous gastronomic experience in DO Conca de Barberá. After such an awesome day we returned to the city of Tarragona. This #winelover would like to thank our host Sinisa Curavic, SweetEasy and the sponsors of these Costa Daurada #Winelover 6th Anniversary events. The organization was truly outstanding. I invite you to join me in my explorations of Costa Daurada and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Seduccio
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| Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Seduccio © Spaswinefood |
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Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Cava © Spaswinefood
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| Vincola de Nulles, Adernats Brut Reserva Cava NV © Spaswinefood |
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| Adernats Brut Reserva Cava NV (Backlabel) © Spaswinefood |
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| Vinicola de Nulles, Adernats Essencia © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelovers, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
During our #winelover's visit to Nulles Wine Cathedral we learnt about its history and wines. Learning about the history of winemaking at Nulles was a delightful intro to DO Tarragona wines. Later that day we would visited Padro & Company for a Vermouth experience, followed by a fabulous gastronomic experience in DO Conca de Barberá. After such an awesome day we returned to the city of Tarragona. This #winelover would like to thank our host Sinisa Curavic, SweetEasy and the sponsors of these Costa Daurada #Winelover 6th Anniversary events. 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
Tarragona, Spain
© Spaswinefood
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| Spaswinefood, Nulles Wine Cathedral © Spaswinefood |
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