I had an awesome day of wine and olive oil tasting in Catalonia.
If I could go back in time, I would travel more extensively around each country I lived in. I have always privileged exploring faraway destinations over local places.
Now that I live in Barcelona, I have decided to take every opportunity to go around Catalonia in particular and Spain in general. It makes all the more sense as Catalonia really is home to some stunning and diverse landscapes like the Priorat region.
Exploring the Priorat region
Priorat is a region in the south of Catalonia where wine and olive oil are produced. We had a private bus rented especially for our group.
The route we took was spectacular with hills and terraced fields. Well, I assume it was spectacular from what I managed to see. The road was so winding, I had to focus on a point because of motion sickness. Get some medication from the pharmacy if you are as sensitive as me. Then you would be able to enjoy the road trip better.
Destination: Scala Dei
We headed to the village of Scala Dei. This village is fascinating becauseit is also the home of a Carthusian Monastery, “the” first Carthusian Charterhouse of the Iberic península, in addition to being a place for wine and olive oil tasting.
It was build by French monks at the Montsant mountain range’s foothills. The monks also constructed mills and taught various farming techniques, including planting vineyards on the steep slate-based slopes of the region. Thanks to these monks, the Priorat gain recognition for its wine.
The charterhouse
We learnt that the monks spent their lives in silence in the charterhouse. The monk cell that was reconstructed in the compound testified that they were also living a solitary life.
Apart from this room, the monastery is now simply a collection of ruins. In the movie Pretty Woman, when describing her hotel room to her friend, Julia Roberts said that the bathroom only was bigger than the Blue Banana club. Well, this monk’s cell is as big as my apartment.
These monks might be quiet, but they were pretty well set, and the place is beautiful. I highly recommend this visit. A full photo gallery is available on my Facebook page.
Wine tasting in Priorat
Following our tour of the Charterhouse, we went for some wine tasting further up the village, towards La Conreria d’Scala Dei.
Introducing the new generation of Priorat wine
The wine cellar was exclusively opened for our group. Someone once told me that Priorat wine was bad. I could not fully understand why we bothered visiting this wine cellar.
Then we entered the showroom and saw their countless international awards! The confusion was cleared during the visit: Priorat wine was not historically of great quality. But the newer wine is on the rise. Priorat wine is now one of the best in the world.
No more talking. Let’s taste the wine. This small winery only produces one white and three reds. They focus on quality, hence the higher price. The white wine was excellent. The two reds were full bodied. I will say no more. Go and taste them!
A traditional dessert
We had lunch in one of the local restaurants serving catalan cuisine. I tried there a traditional Reus dessert called menjablanc made out of almonds, cinnamon, lemon zest and sugar. The texture is similar to one of a thick cream.
After lunch, we had our third activity of the day: the olive oil tasting!
Olive oil tasting in Priorat
The tasting took place in a shop. The place was set up with tables full of local cheese, sausages and four different types of olive oil. Of course! And guess what? This place also won awards!
A ritual
Each one of us grabbed a cup containing oil. Until that day, I did not know that there was a special ritual for oil tasting too.
First, you warm up the covered cup by swirling it in your hands. Then you stick your nose in the glass and inhale deeply. You breathe it. Then you slurp a mouthful of oil and swallow it focusing on the flavour. This one was spicy in my throat. Each oil has different flavour and characteristic.
We were so ecstatic, most of us bought something from the shop owner. It was not difficult. She had a range of fantastic artisan products from biscuits to olive oils that were screaming “I am delicious, buy me!”
Another great day in Catalonia!
That was another great day here in Catalonia. If I had to do it again, I would sample the olive oil before lunch. I was so hungry after the two-hours drive, the visit to the Charterhouse, and the countryside walk. The wine and olive oil tasting would be our aperitive and since I would not have a full stomach, I would be able to appreciate the shop’s delicacies even more.
The Carthusian charterhouse: Cartoixa de Scala Dei
The wine cellar: www.vinslaconreria.com
The olive oil tasting: www.molideloli.com