Cellar Tours Newsletter
July 2004

Think of Spanish Wines and your first thought will probably be of oaky, red Riojas. Spain has been well known to wine lovers worldwide for years as a reliable source of good value rich, red wines. But until recently if you asked a non-Spaniard to name a Spanish white wine region, you'd be hard pressed. However, huge investment, a growing economy, increased confidence and a new generation of young winemakers have brought massive changes to the Spanish wine industry as a whole
More: www.in-spain.info

Cellar Tours is pleased to introduce an exiting new option for VIP wine loving visitors to Spain. In conjunction with the fabulous 5* Hotel Villa Jerez in the midst of Sherry wine country, we are launching new chauffeured visits to elite wineries by classic car. Our local bilingual food and wine specialized guide will accompany you to some of the most beautiful and historic wineries in Europe, where you will receive deluxe tastings of the full range of Finos, Amontillados, Olorosos, Palo Cortados and the unctuous Pedro Ximenez based wines. You will sleep in one of the unique suites at palatial Villa Jerez (a converted mansion), one of the most charming hotels in Spain, where the chef will prepare you a special "Taster Menu". This VIP wine tour is for lovers of the good life. Visit Spain in style! Contact us for more info on Classic Car wine tours on info@cellartours.com

This tour of Portugal's up and coming, beautiful white wine region, known for its "green" (which implies "young") wines, takes in visits to lovely gardens at a prestigious Quinta farm, gourmet dining and cultural visits to historic Guimarães. The day begins when you are collected at your Oporto hotel by luxury vehicle and English speaking Chauffeur (Mercedes for 2 pax, Minivan for 4 and 6 pax) and transferred to Penafiel. Your first stop is the Quinta da Aveleda, where you will see the gardens and vineyards and continue your tour with a delightful Vinho Verde wine tasting
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Laguardia is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in Spain. It is also located right in Rioja wine country and is the perfect base for your wine tour of Spain's most well known red wine region. Laguardia is a medieval hill hamlet (called "villa" in Spanish), reminiscent of Tuscan hilltop villages. It is surrounded by an ancient wall, and has a delightful jumble of cobblestoned streets lined with "Tabernas", wine shops, palaces, and cafes. Laguardia was founded in the year 1164 by King Sancho Abarca, and the spectacularly preserved wall dates back to the 15th century. The entire village became protected as Patrimony of Spain in 1964. The name "Laguardia" originates from "La Guardia de Navarra", the "Guard" of Navarra, referring to its strategic importance in the kingdom of Navarre.
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Although the official name of the winery is Costers del Siurana, it is principally known by its famed Priorat wine brand, Clos de l'Obac. Clos de l'Obac is a powerful red wine, made with a blend of five grape varieties, and with grapes from fifty year old Garnacha and Cariñena vines. This leading winery is located in the pretty wine village of Gratallops, right next to Rene Barbier's Clos Mogador. Clos de l'Obac is run by the visionary Carles Pastrana. Carles Pastrana is passionate about his wines and he is one of the most charming wine personalities in Spain. Carles is credited with being one of the first in the region, along with Alvaro Palacios, Rene Barbier and Josep Lluis Perez, to realize the enormous potential of Priorat as a wine region. This was in the 1980's. However, Carles Pastrana's family was already in the region in the '70's, discovering old vines and doing experimental viticulture.
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Salt Cod, Bacalhau, is essentially the national dish of Portugal. Sold in the abundant markets everywhere from Lagos to Oporto, salt cod is fervently consumed in huge amounts. There is a fascinating history behind Bacalhau in Portugal. In the 16th century, not long after Columbus's arrival to the Americas, Portuguese explorers discovered cod in Newfoundland. There are even maps dating back to the 1500's that call Newfoundland "Terra da Bachalaus". The cod was dried and salted to be able to last on long sea journeys. Salted cod was eaten by many of the great Portuguese seamen and explorers including Vasco da Gama. Today, you can still see the fishing wives at Nazaré, sun drying the cod on traditional slabs (this sun drying technique on the slabs dates back 500 years)….
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Located on a high plateau in the mountainous area of Huesca (known for its ski resorts), the wine region of Somontano lies at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains. The name Somontano actually means "Under the Mountain". The region is gorgeous with green fields and hills, wildflowers, medieval hamlets, and lonely hilltop monasteries. The principal wine town is Barbastro, with most of the wineries close by. The climate in this part of Spain is continental with snowy winters and hot summer months, and extremely sudden changes in temperature when the seasons change. There are roughly 2,700 hours of direct sunlight per year, optimum growing conditions. There are about 3,000 ha under vine registered by the local regulatory council, and the region is dominated by less than 5 top wineries (namely Enate, Bodegas Pirineos and Viñas del Vero)
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Mas de Torrent is without a doubt, not only one of the most exquisite hotels in Europe for gourmet travellers, but one of the most fabulous hotels in the world. Mas de Torrent offers their guests a whole food and wine experience, rather than just a hotel room. The hotel is actually a converted Catalan villa surrounded by spacious gardens, dating back to the 1700's. It has been lovingly restored, using quality fabrics and furniture and giving guests plenty of space. Today, it is a member of the prestigious Relais Chateaux group. The garden suites have enormous rooms with beautiful Mediterranean style décor and private swimming pools, a treat when you just want a bit of peace and quiet. Only an hour and a half from Barcelona, 10 minutes from the dramatic beaches of the Costa Brava and the wine region of Empordà, Mas de Torrent features on our wine tours of Catalonia.

The best thing about Mas de Torrent apart from the beautiful surroundings, though, is the cuisine. The restaurant is superb, and considered by publications like "Gourmet Tour" to be one of the best culinary experiences in Spain. Here is a sample tasting menu we organize for our guests at Mas de Torrent: First course-Aperitivo 3 tapas; Second course- Carpaccio de setas con vinagreta de piñones (Wild mushroom carpaccio with pine nut vinaigrette, paired with Odysseus PX 2002, Priorat; Third Course- Ravioli de cigalas con trufas (Squid ravioli with truffles) paired with Remelluri 2001, Rioja; Fourth course- Huevo poché con espárragos (Poached egg with asparagus) paired with Cava Torelló Gran Reserva Brut Nature ' 98; Fifth course- Turbot con parmentier de arbequinas (Turbot with olive crust) paired with Torres Milmanda 2001, Conca Barberá; Sixth course- Cordero asado (roast lamb) paired with Flor de primavera 2000, Capçanes (one of Spain's only Kosher wineries, located in Montsant)- Irish Coffee break before finishing off magnificently with Coulant de chocolate con helado de Bourbón (Chocolate puff with Bourbon ice cream) paired with an old vine dessert wine. Mas de Torrent is a must on your luxury food and wine holiday of Catalonia!

Contact Details for - Hotel Mas de Torrent

Tel +34 972 303292
Fax: +34 972303293
Address: E-17123 Torrent. Girona, Spain
Web: www.mastorrent.com
Email: reservas@mastorrent.com