My awareness of wine is dismal. Although it’s slightly improved over the last decade (mostly because my budget helps me avoid the hooch) I still am stupidly new at various blends and qualities.
In fact, last time I was in the Catalonia region of Spain, my then-boyfriend-now-husband and I only visited the Freixenet cava factory. While fun for new fans of the sparkling stuff, we definitely missed out on tons of other amazing wineries. And seven years later, so many more are earning awards, getting organic certified and offering variety throughout Catalonia.
Oh hey, 2010.
I wish I knew about something like Inn Travel’s self-guided driving tour through Catalonia when we took our road trip. It would have taken some of the guesswork out of sampling wines in the region that were good, not just the ones we happened upon. I think with my newfound knowledge it’s high time to return!
Although the next trip hasn’t happened yet, Inn Travel and the Catalonia Tourism Board were more than kind to ship me a ton of wine, from the area, or other options like a pinot noir wine, to try at home here in London! I invited a couple girlfriends over – including Corey the wine lover and Amy, who’s right in the middle of studying to be a big-time Sommelier. I knew they’d all have some good commentary, especially as the glasses just kept mysteriously filling back up themselves. Odd.
OK, It’s go time!
Codorníu Cuvée Barcelona Cava Brut
Bubbles! Cava is Spain’s version of champagne, made very similarly and often just as wonderful. This Codorníu Cuvée is made from three types of grapes (pandarella, xarello and macabeu), and they make it the old school way by aging it in barrels.
Amy: Lemon, crisp green apple and pear tasting notes. Almost a bread dough and pastry smell and taste as well. Creamy mouse that’s long lasting, it doesn’t fade it lingers in your mouth.
Corey: It’s really foamy. I’d make it into a floofy dessert cocktail, you could put ice cream in it.
Jane Ventura Rosat Seleccio
My friend Joy in Boston is a Rose queen, and has turned me onto a few of her favorites. The rose wine tasting I attended in London last year also introduced some classy blends to be palate, so I’m happy to give this kind a go now anytime. To be honest, this rose fell a little flat, but still not terrible. The Rosat Seleccio comes from a blend of grapes sources at 10 vineyards throughout Catalonia.
Amy: I taste candied strawberry, simple red fruits, cranberry and red raspberry. I can see myself sitting by the beach, one of those warm sunny days, easy drinking.
Corey: You could make sangria out of this!
Gran Vina Sol Chardonnay
Amazingly, this was my favorite. I usually avoid Chardonnays and blends of it ike the plague, because the oaky smell and taste reminds me of fish. But this was an unoaked version and tasted wonderful. It’s a blend of chardonnay and pandarella grapes and interesting enough to me that I’d drink more at a party with nibbles.
Amy: There’s notes of orange peel, stone fruits (peaches), a little apricot, like a smoky/toasted vanilla from the oak. This is a good food wine, perfect with a Sunday roast.
Corey: I think it smells like cereal, or cotton candy!
Albet i Noya Curious Organic Tempranillo
The Temrpanillo came at the home stretch. It’s paler than you’d think a red would be, but that doesn’t make the taste any less exciting. This brand stays true to the old school ways of making wine in Catalonia and is also organic. In this particular type, there’s less sulfur dioxide as well, which is better for avoiding hangovers. Great news!
Amy: There’s black currant and black cherry Also florals, like fresh cut violet. You can get tobacco notes from the aging.
Corey: I like it, you could have this at a party and drink the shit out of this wine.
Now after all this tasting (and polishing off the bottles the same day, let me honest), I have GREAT NEWS for you! I’m giving away a bottle of the Gran Vina Sol to one of you winos in the UK. Share around, spread the love, and good luck!
Sounds amazing! I’m a huge wine drinker.. a must visit to add to the bucket list.. 🙂
I love White and rose wine I only like red wine in cooking
Thanks! I enjoy Semillon Chardonnay, especially those from Southern Australia.
I love Portugiese rose wine.
I love white wine and my favourite is from Torres Vina Sol in Spain. I just adore chilled wine.
What a lively post, as a wine liver myself I feel like I should definitely include this in my next holiday to spain!
Oh wow this sounds like lots of fun! Definitely one to recommend to wine fans xxx
I live wine from Bordeaux, but to be honest I’m not that fussy
i love new zealand sauvignon blanc
Hahaha! Love this. It is quintessentially representative of our personalities. Such a fun day drinking some delicious wines.
I like a Bordeaux from France
argentina and a nice malbec
My favorite wine region is the Finger Lakes. I love semi-sweet wines.
I like French wine from Rhode region.
i love white wine and how good they can ship to the uk! will check them out soon!
I like wine from the champagne region 🙂 Champagne then 😛 x
I enjoy the occasional glass of wine and its usually pink and Californian, Hubby loves red wine and can always find a wine he enjoys no matter where in the world we are.
I tend to prefer white wine and always lean towards a maalborough Saugvignon Blanc. i like the elderflower and gooseberry tones x
I love champagne… so the champagne region…just love bubbles..
I’m not knowledgeable enough about wine to have a favourite region! I prefer drinking rose wine although I also like Chardonnay with seafood.
I love wine and will drink anything! But I love a Tempranillo
I love pink Canadian Champagnes. But they are a rare treat
I’m not knowledgeable enough about wine to have a favourite region! Haha my favourite wine is Rose
I love visiting vineyards for wine tasting. This place looks great and I’m sure the wines are lovely too.
I haven’t a clue about wine regions, although I am partial to pinot grigio and malbec varieties.
Im.not very clued up on regions or varieties…..if its there I drink it ha ha. Fab giveaway would love to be your lucky winner. Fingers crossed
I really like the wine from Wollersheim Winery which is in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. My favorite wine from the winery is the Pinot Noir.
I don’t have a favorite but would like to experience new ones to get a better knowledge for them! 🙂
I like Napa Valley. I couldn’t say what my favorite wine is – like you, I don’t have much experience with it
Love the wines from Sonoma!
A trip to Budapest widened my wine taste buds and I love the full rich fruity Hungarian red wines.
I love trying all kinds of wine!
My favorite wines are white and rose…….but red is good too. My favorite wine region is the Napa Valley.
I’m into Chillian wine at the moment and love a nice pinot noir
I love Riesling but not sure where it hails from
Originally it’s from Germany!
Beaujolais, love lot of red wines too though
I like Napa Valley. I couldn't say what my favorite wine is – like you, I don't have much experience with it.
I love red wine the most especially red wine from France
I love Rose or Pinot Grigio! Just starting to learn more about wine.
I love all types of wine I dont have a favorite at this moment.
It took forever but I’m starting to finally like reds. I’d love to visit Napa!
wine from southern france, lovely!
i love rose wine the best, australian is what i usually go for
I haven’t got a favourite so I’ll pick for my fiancé as he prefers sweet wine so Germany xxx
I adore New Zealand wines
Napa Valley for sure! Now I really want some wine! :p
I love win from Bordeaux
I do love a Provence Rose wine x
I love wine from Southern France
I like a med sweet white/red wine, don’t know regions
I love a good wine for many occasions or just because…I love a good French wine…
Mt favourite wine region is New Zealand and my favourite wine is Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc.
i like white wine, and never tried champagne yet.
There’s some great other bubbles that in my opinon, taste just as good as champagne! Keep an eye out for cheaper cava (Spain) or prosecco (Italy).
I love wine from Bordeaux
I love a Rioja from Spain, I have a friend that lives there
I love Reds from Bordeaux
I love red wine that is full bodied and fruity.
I do love my wine.
I really like Semillon Chardonnay from Southern Australia.
My absolute favourite win is a Sauvignon Blanc, particularly from the Oxford Landing Vineyard on the Murray River in South Australia.
Love the sound of this wine and would love to try it
I love red wine of any variety
I love Portuguese wine & rose
I’m quite partial to an Australian white or two!!!
I love wines from the Cape, South Africa. My favourite is cabernet sauvignon.
I do like a nice wine from italy or france but my fav has to be rosey I love it 🙂
well this is gonna be sad i have never had wine. so unfortunately I wouldn’t even know where to start.
I love Napa Valley wines!!
I’m not fussy wine glass and cheese if red wine and I am in wine heaven!!!!
I love Rioja, I like red, but also like the white rioja too
I love wine from Bordeaux
I love both red and white wines, I don’t have a favorite region because I’m not that educated in wine to know. I really love a good red moscato though, my favorite!
we tend to like italian pinot grigio wines
I like a californian zinfandel rose