#Catalonia does not have the stunning palette of #Andalusian #Jerez / #Sherry oxidized and fortified #wines but it has Vi Ranci. I have posted about a nice example earlier (see https://epicure.social/@sandswimmer/109439489249627542) and here is a more humble version, picked up on yesterdays road trip to the Terra Alta. It comes from the Cooperativa Agricola de Caterra in a humble one litre plastic container (never throw those away, just refill). There is no info to be found to the grape and ageing that made this wine so this is just going to be a nose and palate job: the aroma is all tertiary notes: toasted nuts, bitumen, marmalade. On the palate it has a complex peaty smokiness that unfolds into bitter oranges, burnt and buttered toast, a round lively acidity that tells me that red Grenache grapes may have something to do with this. I cannot overstate de mind blowing complexity of Vi #Ranci that is traditionally served with toasted almonds and hazelnuts, at the end of a nice dinner.