#Malvasia, #Macabeu, #Cartoixà de Marina, Ull de Llebre (#Tempranillo) tasting session at Celler Sanromà and Celler del Cesc (Tanca els Ulls). All wines are made in the hills of the Alt Camp, north of #Tarragona.

What defines these wines is the rustic dry Mediterranean salinity which comes from the local calcareous, sandy soil, a reminder of the ancient seabed that once covered this area.

#Catalunya #WineTasting

The selection of the glass bottle is unfortunate and the label could do with a rehash BUT... this Vi Ranci made by Josep Dasca i Alba Vives is an absolute sensorial joy.

Vi Ranci is something totally unique and traditional which connects to the past; it was the best #wine of the house, jealously guarded by the grandfather and only offered to guests on very special occasions.

This dry and cloudy Ranci, made from #Macabeu and #Cartoixa, is part of the contents of a 220 litre oak barrel left behind in the 70's by Josep Dasca's grandfather and replenished using the Solera method. Only 200 bottles are released every year.

A mere sniff will brig up notes of cedar, fresh bread, orange marmalade and pressed olives, and this before it hits the palate where layers of toasted walnuts, long cured ham, campfire, arabica coffee and that singular zingy salty Mediterranean acidity congregate in one big choir.

Ideal as small a pre lunch / dinner drink as it make you crave food like an addict.

Easy #Autumn #walk through the rolling #vineyards of the Alt Camp this afternoon. Most of the vine here are of the #Cartoixà, #Macabeu, #Parellada variety. Traditionally mass planted to supply the #Cava production in #Penedès. All this is now changing with each variety being appreciated in it's own right.

#Catalonia #Wine #Terroir #WineMaking #WineCountry #PhoneShot #DOTarragona