GREAT WINES You Should Know
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2023
- In today’s video, Bob Paulinski Master of Wine discusses the wines of Catalonia. In terms of the range of grape varieties grown and wines styles, this is one of most diverse places in the world. I’ll discuss the region, types of wines, what you can expect in your wine glass, along with a tasting of four wines that provide a good cross section of what the region has to offer. Included will be wine shopping recommendations as well.
Catalonia is in northeast of Spain, with the Mediterranean Sea to the east, at the heart of the region is Barcelona, second most populous city in Spain. A favorite tourist area, home of some of the world’s greatest restaurants. The region produces ¼ of all the wine made in Spain. Over 8500 winegrowers.
The wines types and styles include a broad range sparkling, whites and reds, made from varying grape varieties, some indigenous, some international. Parts are distinctly med climate, others more continental, with a high degree of soil diversity. 12 origin denominations. I’ll focus on three that have I feel are particularly noteworthy: Cava, Montsant, and Priorat. Cava is the largest player, at least in terms of volume. Montsant is highly underrated a region that surrounds the third area to be discussed Priorat which is well know for reds, but I’ll doing some great things with whites, both a white and red will be in the upcoming tasting.
The wine producer with the broadest international reach and one of the world’s great wine family’s is Torres. Miguel Torres Jr is a longtime friend. I’ve visited them a few times over the years. For a one stop source from the region they cover all of the bases with good international distribution. In recent years, they’ve been instrumental in work on reviving ancestral grape varieties like Forcada which is currently made at just a few hundred cases per year, but with plans to expand the production.
Within Catalonia, Cava represents about ½ of the production of the region. Unlike Champagne or the various Cremants from France, Cava is not restricted to a specific region of Spain, it comes from a number of places, although most is from Penedes within Catalonia. The most important part, with all Cava, the second fermentation is in the bottle (traditional method). It’s a big differentiator over like priced Prosecco or other similar options that are made by the bulk charmat process.
Traditionally made from: Macebeo, Parellada and Xarelo-lo form the core of many Cava blends, but many others can be used, including Chard, PN. The styles range from bone dry to sweet. Base level cava is aged nine months, not enough to show the full advantage of aging on the lees. Reserva is aged a min 18 months, here’s the best value. This is Cava at an elevated level. And the one I chose for tasting in this video. There’s also Gran Reserva with a minimum of 30 months aging. There are still more options that can be difficult to find like or Corpinnat which is separate from Cava. The last few are pricier, on par with Champagne.
Posted below are some Catalan wines that I've tasted over the last year and recommend
APPROX COST USD
CAVA
Segura Viudas Reserva Brut $12
Bohigas Cava Brut Reserva $14
Insito Reserva Brut $16 (tasted in video)
Gramona Gessami $19
Roger Goulart Organic Reserva Brut $19
Agusti Torello Mata Brut Reserva $21
Still Wines:
2020 Can Blau - Montsant $13
2020 Pallas - Montsant $16 (tasted in video)
2018 La Cartuja - Priorat $18
2020 Sindicat La Figuera - Montsant $22
2022 Alvaro Palacios Camins del - Priorat $26
2020 Venus La Universal Dido Tinto - Montsant $27
2018 Cellers Unio Senorio de Convey - Priorat $27
2020 Torres Purgatori - Costers del Segre $33
2021 d'Scala Priorat Blanc "les Notes Iugiter" $33 (tasted in video)
2018 Mas Martinet "Martinet Bru" - Priorat $38 (tasted in video)
2018 Torres Salmos - Priorat $45
2018 Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon - Penedes $79
#winelife #winetasting #catalonia #catalan #wset #masterofwine #spanishwine #bobpaulinski #cava #redwine
Rockin the barca shirt. Nice
It felt like the right thing to do!
Nice touch with the Barça jersey. Now I have to seek out some white Priorat (or perhaps some other Catalan whites).
Old jersey, seemed like the right thing. Nice, look into the Catalan wines. Cheers!
Thank you. I very much enjoy the “other” wine areas you showcase. Will look for that garnacha Blanca and Martinet Bru. Cheers.
Hi Carl, there’s no point in doing the same videos as everyone else. The wine world is big, explore it! Cheers!
This video was so nicely timed for me, I recently arrived at Tarragona as a Wintour Erasmus student and I will be visiting all of the DO's of Catalonia.
Recently I found that Martinet Bru at El Corte Ingles for around 30 Euros, might have to grab a bottle of that soon!
Very fortunate timing! Sounds like you'll be drinking well. Safe travels!
Fantastic video Bob! We get precious little Spanish wine here in Australia, and fewer still from Catalonia.; Cava almost doesn't exist here! You've motivated me to get out and do some hunting for a decent drop of it. As always thankyou for these videos, the information you give freely here truly is invaluable.
Thank you for the good word. Much appreciated. I lived in Australia a few years ago, I know the Spanish wine offering is thin. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers!
I enjoyed this but would have liked to see you taste the wine and a food pairing with table setting would make this dynamic - opening a 25yo Bordeaux is a BIG occasion (for Brits) and you really underplayed it
I appreciate your comment. Opening an old Bordeaux is an occasion for me as well. Occasionally, I’ll include a food pairing, since I was solo while shooting this video, it was not included. Cheers. 🍷
😂😂😂you don't remember being so snug in it 😂😂😂😂 you made me laugh big time! 😆
Thanks for this video Bob, I'll try to find your recommendations 😊
😂
Thanks for another interesting video. I appreciate the (lower) price points on the suggested cava and wine.
Thank you. Then, you should like the one coming out next week!
Tease, LOL. Sounds great. Thanks.
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine7234
Great video, Bob. I love Priorat but dont thunk I ever saw a white one. We'll be on a look out for it. Cheers!
As always, thank you Dmitri. The white version is not common, but it’s been getting some press. Here’s an interesting article about it. prioratwines.nl/en/stories/white-wines-priorat
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine7234 Thank you so much for sharing the article, Bob. Enjoy your weekend!
@@dmitrivassiliev15 It’s a good quick read. Beautiful weekend here, getting ready for more travel. I hope all is well.
Nice wrap-up of the lesser known region of Catalonia. This region's teeming with indigenous varieties, experimenting with styles and overall achieving great quality at reasonable price tags. Cheers!
Thanks. It’s a place that I’m very fond of, not only for the wine, but also for the food, the culture, people, etc. Cheers.
Great vid yet again.
I have only had cheap Cava, and boy i do not like it. Take it from some one who dosent really like Champange :)
The Martinet.. is a gem of a wine. As you said its a big wine, just insanly well made.
Thank you. If you’re not a Champagne fan, it’s doubtful that even the higher Cava will hit the mark. Montsant on the other hand, very worthwhile. And Martinet, 👍
@@bobpaulinskimasterofwine7234 I will have to explore it more, and thats the best part of it 😄
Priorat makes amazing wine that can compete with CDP
World class wines! Between the two, more times than not, I'd take Priorat. Cheers!
Great content yet again. I was in Barcelona 6 years ago and tasted through quite a bit of Priorat at a local wine bar there. Fantastic area with a lot more variety of styles than I think it gets credit for.
Thank you for the nice comment. It’s simple, Priorat is a rock star. I like some Priorat more than others, but most are off the charts expressive. And the white versions are every bit as good.
Way to rep Barca! So, is cava typically disgorged? Couldn’t tell if the cava was hazy or if it was condensation on the glass.
It was condensation, it’s disgorged. Had to rep Barcelona as it should be! 😂