Thursday, May 29, 2014

Recommended Wines from Catalana by Philip S. Kampe

                              El Cellar de Can Roca in Spain's Catalan region

In the northeast corner of Spain, lies the number one rated restaurant in the world (2013), El Cellar de Can Roca. The restaurant is known for combining local Catalan cuisine with avant-garde and experimental dishes.

Roca is also known for its 60,000 bottle wine cellar. According to Sommelier Josep Roca, one of the three brother owners of El Cellar de Can Roca, the comprehensive wine list is the size of two telephone books. At a recent visit to the famed restaurant, I found several wines that are Catalan classics, affordable and distributed in America.
                           Head chef Joan Roca explains how the kitchen operates
                                One of Chef Josep Roca's signature dishes

                                   The upscale Miquel Torres Winery
                                               Miquel Torres Winery
The wines that pair well with the varied dishes of El Cellar de Can Roca can be sampled on June 4th at the Cervantes Institute in Manhattan. Avinicola Catalana is sponsoring the tasting for only qualified trade and press. (Contact Melanie@TheConnectedTable.com for an invitation)

Wines of interest that will be poured on June 4th from Catalana and can be found  at ElCellar de Can Roca include:
Vilamau Brut Rose NV
Torello Brut Reserva Special Edition
Agusti Torello Mata Kripta 2007
Gran Codomiu Xarel-Lo Finca La Nansa
                    Wines from Catalana make you strong, says author Philip S. Kampe

Cervoles red 2007
Abadal Seleccio 2007
Pinord Mas Blanc +7
Torres Grans Muralles 2006

Wine brands of interest from Catalana  include:
Abadal
Agusti Torello Mata
Castell del Remei
Cervoles
Codorniu
Giro del Gorner
La Fou
Mas Blanc
Pinord
Rexach Baques
Torello
Torres
Trias Battle
Vilarnau

Isn't it time to drink the 'Wines from Catalana' ?

Philip S. Kampe
Philip.Kampe@TheWineHub.com





2 comments:

Krista J. said...

What a fun and educational article. I will follow your recommendations and purchase wines from Catalana.

Ricard Z. Isanda said...

Hi Philipe and Kirsta,

I am a Catalan myself, employed by some family run wineries for export markets, and I would say you might be better saying wines from Catalonia, or indigenous, Catalunya (like in Portuguese Catalunha).
It is a small country, a rich territory of many different soils, and more names could be added to the list, especially for their good value:

VINYES DELS ASPRES - DO Empordà
CELLER DE L'ENCASTELL - DOQ Priorat
CELLER ARDEVOL DOQ Priorat
CASTELLROIG DO Penedès & Cava
L'OLIVERA DO Costers del Segre

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