Here I am, at the computer of the Hotel Vapor Gran, the "Great Vapor," the very best business hotel in Terrassa, Spain. As I may have mentioned earlier, La Cambra de Terrassa is generously supporting this business wine trip junket. Today, after a heartfelt, teleprompter style (just with typed remarks on paper subbing for the screen) heavily accented reading of opening remarks from one of the Chamber´s veeps, we were off to meet with many different wine producers representing the Penedes, Terra Alta and Costers del Segre regions. Filtered, heavily sulphured, correct yet anonymous, large (make that, HUGE) production wines were poured, one after the next. There were a few great values. Though I will yet again lose wine cool points for saying so, some of my favorites were the cheapest: wines made in very large quantities from primarily garnacha (for the reds) and garnacha blanca (white) grapes. Wines fermented with selected yeasts and lightly filtered prior to bottling. For just a few euros ex-cellar they are well worth the cost. Also, the young enologist who presented these wines was very well informed about the wine´s production process. No bullshit, just honest answers and explanations. Might see these in a K&L store or website at some point.
Apart from the day´s meetings and the disappointing, lackluster performance that led to the Barça defeat at the hands of the Milanese, the clear highlight so far has been linking up with Gabriella Opaz of Catavino fame. She lives in Terrassa and told me all about it: the city´s construction boom over the last 4 years, the discovery of dinosaur bones and ensuing delay of the construction of the Metro station, and the annual jazz fest that is Spain´s best. Definitely owe a huge "gracias" to Gabriella for meeting me and adding such valuable local perspective my first night staying in Terrassa.
Tomorrow, more junket. Friday, Raventos i Blanc. Saturday, natural wines at Vega de Ribes and Mendall. Sunday, hanging out with the Peciñas in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Rioja. Then more Rioja next week. Just so you know what to expect in the days ahead, or what to skip out on if you prefer when I write about non-Spanish stuff.
Hasta pronto, queridos lectores....
4 comments:
'Livin large, Joe.
Nice pic.
Best, Jim
Wish I'd been more forward about a certain Terrassa (Tarrassa?) reference...there's supposed to be a Museum of Techonlogy, back in '99 a buddy's ex-wife & friend, Montserrat Bofill, was associate curator...have no news since, couldn't locate her when I was in town in '03.
Also, don't know much Catalan, but I get the idea the hotel's name may translate into a somewhat jokey, 'The Old Steamer'...Catalanes have a peculiar, bone-dry sense of humor to rival the Brits...man do I envy you! have a great time!
Glad you're having an incredible time! And to be honest, the pleasure was all mine. Rarely do we get the opportunity to have guests in our neck of the woods :) Enjoy your trip, and if we ever be of help, please never hesitate to drop a line :)
Jim - Work will not allow me to do the various importer trips but trade missions are fair game. Can't take credit for the pic, google images....
DJRS - Thanks for the background on the Old Steamer! Trip was fun, though sadly I did not get to the Museum of Technology or the other museum where they had a Miro and Calder exhibit.
Gabriella - again a pleasure to meet you in person and thanks so much for the referrals. Hasta el proximo viaje.
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