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La Catalogne et son Histoire Viticole : Entre Héritage et Excellence
La Catalogne, berceau de traditions millénaires, incarne une terre de vignobles où l’histoire, la géographie et le savoir-faire se conjuguent pour produire des vins uniques. Au fil des siècles, cette région au nord-est de l’Espagne a su s’imposer comme un acteur clé de la viticulture méditerranéenne, grâce à son dynamisme et son sens de l’innovation.
Une Histoire Ancrée dans l’Antiquité
La culture de la vigne en Catalogne remonte au 6ᵉ siècle avant J.-C., lorsque les Grecs introduisirent cette tradition sur les côtes méditerranéennes. Les Carthaginois poursuivirent cet héritage, mais ce sont les Romains qui lui donnèrent son premier élan de prospérité. En 200 avant J.-C., la région devient un centre viticole majeur de l’Empire romain, exportant ses vins jusqu’aux tables des Césars. La DO Alella, connue pour ses vins délicats, témoigne de cette époque où la vigne et Barcelone étaient déjà au cœur d’un port stratégique du commerce du vin.
Les Méandres d’une Histoire Mouvementée
Après la chute de Rome, la Catalogne connut une succession d’invasions. Les Wisigoths, les Alains et, au 8ᵉ siècle, les Maures marquèrent la région. Si la présence musulmane freina temporairement la production de vin, l’arrivée de Charlemagne, qui intégra la Catalogne dans son empire, relança la viticulture.
Aux 9ᵉ et 12ᵉ siècles, la région consolida son identité sous les comtes de Barcelone et lors de son union avec le royaume d’Aragon. Finalement, l’union avec la Castille en 1479 ouvrit la voie à l’émergence d’un empire espagnol où la Catalogne devint un acteur clé de la production vinicole.
La Révolution du Cava : Une Pionnière de la Modernité
La véritable révolution viticole catalane arriva au 19ᵉ siècle, avec l’invention du cava. En 1872, Josép Raventós produisit le premier vin effervescent espagnol selon la méthode champenoise dans son domaine de Codorníu, dans le Penedès. Ce fut un succès retentissant, plaçant le cava parmi les meilleurs vins effervescents du monde.
D’autres grands noms comme Torres et Celler Perelada apportèrent des innovations majeures, jetant les bases de la viticulture moderne en Espagne. Grâce à ces pionniers, la Catalogne gagna ses lettres de noblesse et s’imposa comme une région incontournable sur la scène vinicole internationale.
Des Sols Variés et des Conditions Idéales
La richesse viticole de la Catalogne repose sur sa diversité climatique et géologique. Le climat méditerranéen des zones côtières, avec ses étés chauds et ses hivers pluvieux, contraste avec le climat continental de l’intérieur des terres, plus rude et marqué par des hivers rigoureux.
Les sols, eux aussi variés – argiles calcaires, ardoises, roches volcaniques et quartz – permettent la culture de nombreux raisins. Cette diversité offre une palette de saveurs et d’arômes qui font la spécificité des vins catalans.
Une Région de Vins et de Traditions
Aujourd’hui, la Catalogne compte 52 000 hectares de vignobles , où sont produits des vins emblématiques. Le cava demeure le joyau de la région, mais les rancios et vins doux traditionnels continuent de perpétuer l’héritage ancestral. Par ailleurs, la Catalogne est un leader mondial dans l'élaboration de bouchons en liège, un autre signe de son importance dans l’univers viticole.
Les Cépages Autochtones de Catalogne : Une Diversité Méditerranéenne Unique
La Catalogne, riche d’une tradition viticole millénaire, se distingue par ses raisins rouges et blancs autochtones, qui incarnent l’essence de ses sols méditerranéens. Qu’ils soient rouges ou blancs, ces raisins reflètent l’identité culturelle et géographique de la région, offrant des vins aux profils variés, typiques de ce coin du nord-est de l’Espagne.
Cépages Rouges Autochtones Garnacha ( Grenache )
L a garnacha , ou grenache , est l’un des raisins rouges emblématiques de la Catalogne. Polyvalente, elle produit des vins rouges et rosés aux arômes fruités (cerise, fraise), avec des tanins modérés et une structure généreuse. Grâce à sa résistance à la chaleur, le grenache prospère sur les sols pauvres et caillouteux du territoire, offrant des vins souvent utilisés en assemblage pour équilibrer puissance, douceur et même créer des vins doux
Carignan (Cariñena ou Samsó)
Le carignan , connu localement sous le nom de "samsó," est un raisin rouge robuste aux racines catalanes profondes. Il donne des vins rouges puissants, avec une couleur rouge intense, une acidité marquée et des tanins fermes. Bien qu’il soit souvent assemblé pour atténuer son caractère parfois austère, il excelle dans des vins rouges structurés et complexes qui vieillissent admirablement.
Monastrell ( Mourvèdre )
Raisin rouge Cultivé sporadiquement en Catalogne, le monastrell apporte une touche unique aux assemblages grâce à ses arômes de fruits noirs, ses tanins prononcés et son excellent potentiel de garde. Ses vins rouges catalans sont profonds, avec des notes épicées et parfois terreuses, parfaitement adaptés aux sols ensoleillés du territoire.
Cépages Blancs Autochtones Macabeu (Macabeo ou Viura)
Le macabeu , cépage blanc phare de la Catalogne, est la clé de nombreux vins blancs et effervescents, notamment le cava. Résistant à la chaleur, il donne des bouteilles aux arômes floraux et fruités, bien qu’il manque parfois d’acidité. Souvent associé au xarel-lo et à la parellada, il apporte fraîcheur et élégance à ces assemblages, avec des notes subtiles de fruits blancs et de fleurs.
Xarel-lo
Le xarel-lo , cultivé presque exclusivement en Catalogne, est l’un des piliers du cava. Il se distingue par sa structure, sa fraîcheur et son caractère unique. Vinifié seul ou en assemblage, ce raisin blanc donne des saveurs terreuses et équilibrées entre douceur et acidité, avec une texture généreuse et une bonne résistance aux maladies, ainsi que des notes minérales marquées qui enrichissent son profil, faisant de lui un excellent vin blanc.
Parellada
La parellada est un raisin délicat, principalement utilisé pour le cava, où il est assemblé avec le macabeu et le xarel-lo. Il apporte finesse et légèreté aux crus , avec des arômes subtils de pomme verte, d’agrumes, de fleurs blanches et de notes fruitées, offrant un vin blanc rafraîchissant.
Une Tradition Viticole à Préserver
Les raisins rouges et blancs autochtones de Catalogne ne sont pas seulement des témoins de son histoire, mais aussi un levier pour la création de vins authentiques, profondément enracinés dans leur terres. Ces raisins offrent aux amateurs une palette d’expériences gustatives qui célèbrent la richesse et la diversité de ce territoire exceptionnelle.
Les Vignerons Catalans : Une Sélection de Passion et d’Authenticité
La Catalogne, avec ses terres variés et son climat méditerranéen, est un territoire où le vin se vit comme une véritable culture.Dans notre boutique, nous avons le privilège de travailler avec une sélection de vignerons passionnés, chacun représentant une facette unique de l'approche viticole catalane. Parmi eux, Cyclic Wine , Émilie Mutombo , Clot de les Soleres , Laureano Serres , se distinguent par leur respect de la terre et leurs pratiques durables.
Cyclic Wine (Barcelone, Espagne)
Cyclic Wine vignoble basé à Barcelone, est un pionnier dans l’art des fermentations mixtes. Spécialisé dans la production de vins naturels et de bières artisanales, ce domaine met en avant des processus respectueux de l’environnement et une philosophie de terroir. Utilisant uniquement des raisins locaux cultivés biologiquement, leurs vins sont fermentés naturellement avec les levures indigènes présentes sur les peaux. Depuis 2018, Cyclic explore avec audace les frontières entre vin et bière, créant des synergies uniques à travers la macération des peaux de raisin. Une production authentique qui incarne l’essence du terroir catalan.
Émilie Mutombo (Bonastre, Catalogne)
Émilie Mutombo, installée à Bonastre, est une vigneronne inspirante qui mêle passion et créativité. Originaire de Bruxelles, Émilie a trouvé sa vocation dans le vin naturel après une carrière dans l’événementiel. En 2017, elle crée sa première cuvée, et depuis, elle n’a cessé de perfectionner son art. Travaillant avec des raisins locaux comme le Garrut, le Cartoixa Vermell et le Xarel-lo, Émilie produit des vins vibrants et authentiques, sans additifs ni filtration. Ses étiquettes artistiques, conçues par son frère, reflètent l’âme de ses créations : vivantes, uniques et profondément enracinées dans le terroir catalan. Grâce à son travail minutieux, son domaine est devenu un exemple d’engagement envers la viticulture naturelle.
Clot de les Soleres (Piera, Anoia, Espagne)
Clot de les Soleres incarne l’élégance et la durabilité dans la viticulture. Situé à Piera, en Catalogne, ce domaine produit exclusivement des vins naturels à partir de raisins cultivés biologiquement. Avec une histoire remontant au XVIe siècle, le vignoble allie traditions ancestrales et techniques modernes pour créer des vins purs et vibrants. Chaque bouteille du domaine reflète la richesse des terroirs calcaires et le soin méticuleux de Carles et Montse, les vignerons passionnés derrière ce projet. Leur engagement envers la biodynamie et leur respect pour la nature font de Clot de les Soleres une référence en matière de vins authentiques.
Laureano Serres (Vilalba dels Arcs, Catalogne)
Le Domaine Mendall, dirigé par Laureano Serres, est un exemple parfait de viticulture naturelle. Sur 5 hectares de vignes en altitude, Laureano crée des vins sans soufre ni additifs, véritable miroir de leur terroir catalan. Utilisant des matériaux variés comme des amphores et des fûts, chaque vin exprime avec pureté les caractéristiques du vignoble d’origine. En remplaçant les méthodes conventionnelles par des pratiques durables, Laureano transforme chaque cuvée en une expérience authentique. Les vins du Domaine Mendall, à la fois complexes et accessibles, sont une célébration du travail artisanal et de l’amour de la nature.
Nos Vignerons Phares de Catalogne : Clos Lentiscus et Partida Creus Clos Lentiscus : L'Excellence Biodynamique du Garraf
Parmi les grands vignerons catalans que nous mettons en avant, Clos Lentiscus est sans doute l’un des plus emblématiques. Dirigé par Manel Avinyo, ce domaine est un véritable modèle d’agriculture biodynamique, situé dans le parc naturel du Garraf, en Catalogne. Les vignes, cultivées sur des terres en calcaires riches en fossiles marins, sont travaillées de manière totalement naturelle, suivant les cycles lunaires, et avec une attention particulière pour la faune et la flore locales. Les vins produits dans ce domaine, qu’ils soient des cavas ou des vins tranquilles, se distinguent par une finesse et une minéralité exceptionnelles, typiques de ce terroir unique. La passion de Manel pour la biodynamie et son respect de la nature transparaissent dans chaque bouteille, offrant une expérience authentique et sincère à tous les amateurs de vins.
Partida Creus : Un Retour aux Sources Authentiques
Le domaine Partida Creus est un autre pilier incontournable de notre sélection. Fondé par Massimo Marchiori et Antonella Geroz , ce projet est né de leur passion pour la nature et leur désir de renouer avec les racines viticoles de la Catalogne. Situé dans le Baix Penedès, Partida Creus s’est spécialisé dans la production de vins naturels à partir de raisins autochtones presque oubliés. Leur approche, entièrement artisanale, privilégie une viticulture respectueuse du terroir et de la biodiversité. Chaque vin est le fruit d’un travail manuel minutieux, sans produits chimiques, avec une fermentation spontanée qui permet aux vins de s’exprimer pleinement. Partida Creus est un hommage à la pureté et à l’authenticité du terroir catalan, offrant des vins qui racontent l’histoire d’un lieu et d’une passion.
Ces deux grands vignerons, Clos Lentiscus et Partida Creus, sont bien plus que des producteurs de vin : ils incarnent une vision durable et respectueuse du monde viticole. Grâce à eux, nous avons le privilège de proposer des vins catalans d’une qualité et d’une singularité exceptionnelles, véritables ambassadeurs du patrimoine vitivinicole du territoire.
Les Vins Phares de Catalogne
Si vous êtes à la recherche d’un vin typique de Catalogne, ne manquez pas les rouges puissants et corsés de la zone de Priorat. Ces vins se distinguent par des saveurs riches de fruits rouges et noirs, accompagnées de tanins audacieux. Ils sont principalement élaborés à partir de cépages locaux tels que la Garnacha (Grenache) et la Cariñena (Carignan), qui leur confèrent une structure et une profondeur remarquables. Ces vins intenses et complexes sont parfaits pour les amateurs de vins robustes et pleins de caractère.
La Catalogne est bien connue pour ses vins exceptionnels, et l'un des plus célèbres est le Cava de la zone du Penedès. Ce vin pétillant, souvent comparé au Champagne, est un incontournable de la culture catalane. Fabriqué selon la méthode traditionnelle, le Cava est un vin blanc sec produit à partir de raisins autochtones comme le Macabeo, le Xarel-lo et le Parellada . Ce mélange unique lui confère des bulles fines et une grande fraîcheur, tout en offrant une élégance et des notes raffinées qui en font un excellent choix pour toute occasion festive.
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228 products
228 products
VY Vinyater Vlanc 2017, Partida Creus
Made from old vines (sixty years old) of the Catalan vinyater grape variety on clay-limestone soil, aged in 50-liter demijohns, this is a fresh and seductive white wine that excels with seafood, grilled white meats and sweetbreads, but it can also seduce without any accompaniment or pretext. Rounded, buttery, expressive and mineral. The nose is all white fruits and white flowers. Lemon zest, a little beeswax. On the palate, volume, body, a very long finish.
Natural wine without added sulfites.
AA Anonimo Ancestral Rosé Sparkling 2017
Partida Creus
Anonimo Ancestral is a natural sparkling wine obtained by the method of refermentation in the bottle with aging for twelve months on fine lees. No filtration, no added sulphite. It results from a blend of several traditional Catalan grape varieties which differ depending on the color: for example xarel lo, macabeu, parellada, moscatel and ull de llebre. It pairs well with Mediterranean dishes, particularly those containing garlic, raw or cooked, such as snails Burgundy, romesco sauce, cod aioli, etc. It is a friend of all grilled dishes, including fish. This creamy and mineral wine with a superb texture and wonderful freshness should be drunk very cold (8-10°C) in a tulip or Bordeaux glass.
Natural wine with no added sulfites
MUZ Vermouth 2024,
A unique artisanal vermouth, blending tradition and creativity
The MUZ Ver 2024, created by Partida Creus, is much more than just a vermouth. A meticulous blend of natural red wine, oxidative white wine, and young wine, it is enriched with a maceration of herbs based on a family recipe dating back to 1870. This sweet and spicy spirit is a vibrant tribute to the winemakers' Italian roots and their passion for natural wines.
Tasting: Between sweetness and complexity
The nose reveals a unique aromatic richness, blending notes of citrus, dried flowers, medicinal herbs, and sweet spices. On the palate, the initial sweetness is balanced by a subtle bitterness and a long, complex finish. MUZ Ver is a sensory experience in itself, with a perfect balance between tradition and modernity.
A refined aperitif or cocktail ally
Served chilled, between 6 and 8°C, this vermouth is ideal as an aperitif, neat or over ice, accompanied by a twist of orange. It can also be used to create refined and original cocktails. At the table, it goes wonderfully with strong cheeses, seafood, or grilled vegetable dishes.
XLC Xarel Lo Culinaries White 2022
Partida Creus
Culinaries Exclusive! This fruit of our collaboration with our favorite Catalan-Piedmontese, Antonella and Massimo, is a superb dry white from Catalonia, a unique and rare cuvée, and we are proud to present its first vintage. Classified as Vino de Mesa (table wine) and composed entirely of the indigenous Catalan Xarel·lo grape variety, this Culinaries cuvée is modeled on the estate's XL Xarel·lo, with notable differences. The wine is aged for a longer period and is done in demi-muids (large 500-650 liter barrels), which provides micro-oxygenation that enhances its complexity and fullness. It is therefore an "augmented" version of the XL, and it already tastes admirably, with a promise of great stability. Smoky, mineral, this Vino de Mesa (table wine) is already a classic, offering a pure and typical expression of xarel·lo. You can pair XL Xarel·lo Culinaries with the best of seafood, fish, white meats, roasted, grilled or cooked poultry in sauce...
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Partida Creus is an important estate, both in terms of wine and history – we are talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont – and even coming from the Langhe region, where they know a lot about wines – first pursued a career as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug tickles them, and soon they abandon the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they find a quantity of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties, which they passionately revive to save these varieties – and their wines – from oblivion. For them, it's not just a matter of heritage rescue, no: it's a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will never stop making from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to produce their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic viticulture, entirely manual and natural to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, subirat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel·lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel·lo: Partida Creus is a veritable conservatory of native Catalan grape varieties. It also grows moscatel, grenache, merlot and cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with the winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single-variety wines are common among them, alongside extensive blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that denote the vintage. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush yet always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, exude life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.
Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs Malvasia Sparkling White 2020
Clos Lentiscus
This sparkling cava from Catalonia is unrivaled in its distinction and stands up to even the most respectable champagnes, despite being classified as a Vino de Mesa (table wine). Made entirely from Malvasia, an ancient Mediterranean grape variety that thrives particularly well on the limestone soils of Sitges, this festive wine offers fine, creamy bubbles and a pale gold color, deeper than most wines of its style. Its olfactory notes of white fruits and lemon peel, its creamy, intense, and fresh flavor with tropical accents have everything to seduce. Its aromatic persistence is remarkable. It can be tried with foie gras, for example, but also with so many other delectable things!
To find out more
Purity, elegance, and a crisp minerality due to limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when it is felt, does not dominate the tasting, and the wines are never deviant. The cavas are known for being exuberant, but those of Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white, and rosé. Located in Sitges, Catalonia, Clos Lentiscus is a winery in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park. Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, renamed Clos Lentiscus by Manel. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking and the immersion in nature is total: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, mastic tree which gave its name to the estate, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, Manel and Joan Avinyo's family has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but as soon as the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming replaced conventional practices, the entire harvest goes into the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to regain its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Very quickly, Manel received a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for vinifying cavas, these sparkling whites characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from indigenous varieties for which Catalonia holds the secret: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia of Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat of Alexandria. The vines are old, some of them centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding, and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, is responsible for working the soil.
Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Malvasia Sparkling White 2017
Clos Lentiscus
In Sitges, Catalonia, Clos Lentiscus is a winery located in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park. Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, which Manel renamed Clos Lentiscus. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking and the immersion in nature is complete: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, and the mastic tree, which gave the estate its name, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, the family of Manel and Joan Avinyo has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but since the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming has replaced conventional practices, the entire harvest goes into the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to reconnect with its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Very quickly, Manel received a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for vinifying cavas, these sparkling whites characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from native varieties for which Catalonia holds the secret: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia of Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat of Alexandria. The vines are old, sometimes centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, is responsible for working the soil.
Purity, elegance and a crisp minerality due to limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when it is felt, does not dominate the tasting and the wines are never deviant. Cavas are known for being exuberant, but those of Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white and rosé.
Made entirely of Malvasia (Malvasia), an ancient Mediterranean grape variety that thrives particularly well in Sitges, this cava offers fine, creamy bubbles and a pale gold color, deeper than that of most wines of its style. Its olfactory notes of white fruits and lemon peel, its creamy, intense and fresh flavor with tropical accents have everything to seduce. Its aromatic persistence is remarkable. It is worth trying with foie gras.
GT Garrut Rouge 2017, Partida Creus
A Catalan cousin of Mourvèdre, the Garrut grape variety forms the basis of this wine with its intensely purplish color, a journey to the depths of black fruits, notably blackberry or bramble: intense, brilliant, earthy, completely atypical. It evokes the family vine, artisanal and free wine, the garrigue and fig leaf. Will accompany bellota ham, the best cured meats and terrines, spicy dishes, Chinese cuisine. Should be served fairly chilled (15 °C).
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
UL Red 2019
Partida Creus is a winery located in Catalonia, founded by two Piedmontese natives from the Langhe (where wine is well-known), Antonella Gerosa and Massimo Marchiori. They initially pursued careers as architects in Barcelona, but the wine bug bit them, and they soon abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There, they found a wealth of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties, which they passionately revived to save these varieties—and their wines—from oblivion. For them, it's not just a matter of heritage rescue, no: it's a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will continue to make from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to give their best juice. This is why their estate is as important from a winemaking perspective as it is from a historical perspective - we are talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia.
Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic viticulture, entirely manual and natural in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, subirat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel.lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel.lo: Partida Creus is a veritable conservatory of native Catalan grape varieties. It also grows moscatel, grenache, merlot and cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with the winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single-variety wines are common among them, alongside extensive blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that denote the vintage. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits exclamations of joy. This new red from Partida Creus is based on the ancient and indigenous grape variety called ull de llebre, which, you guessed it, means “hare’s eye.” What you might not guess is that this is the Catalan name for Tempranillo. It’s actually an old local version of this very Iberian grape, which Massimo and Antonella have nurtured in their own way. The wine is highly original: behind the minerality, the (black) fruit, the blueberry, and the freshness, we notice very fine tannins and aromatic herbs. A serious wine, a little grave, but did you know that serious wines make you joyful? Its length on the palate is astonishing. Decanting is highly recommended so that this wine can play its own unique music, down to the finest notes.
Ull de Llebre Sumoll Red 2019,
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of friends from Barcelona, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, are available in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines - because the second part is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. As merchant winemakers, Alberto and Joshua themselves harvest by hand from organic wineries throughout Catalonia and bring the harvest to their winery-brewery workshop in La Sagrera (Barcelona). There they sort the grapes, tread them under foot and vat the must using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Depending on the type of wine, skin maceration takes place on the skins and stems for between one and three days for the whites and between six and fifteen days for the reds. The free-run juice is then transferred without pressing into stainless steel tanks where fermentation continues before bottling. The skins and stems, and sometimes part of the juice, are then used for the maceration of saison beers: an interesting synergy between beer and wine. No sulfites are added during vinification; nothing is added or removed from the wine, which is never filtered. The harvest and other viticultural operations are decided according to the lunar calendar.
At the time we tasted this red wine, it was still searching a little, but at the time of writing, it must have found its place and be resting comfortably on its balanced tannins and fruity complexity. It is a well-balanced wine between body presence and lightness, round and aromatic. It is a blend of Catalan grape varieties Ull de Llebre (70%) and Sumoll (30%) harvested by hand in Torrelavit (Upper Penedès) and Mas Llorenç (Lower Penedès) on limestone and clay soils. The Ull de Llebre vines are young (fifteen years old) and the Sumoll vines are very old (up to one hundred years old). The altitude of the plots is between 230 and 260 meters. The harvest, entirely manual, is sorted, and then ten percent is trodden by foot. A semi-carbonic maceration follows for twenty-seven days, after which the wine completes its fermentation in stainless steel vats.
VNRA Vinel lo Rouge 2018
Partida Creus
VN, Vinel·lo Ancestral Red, is a natural sparkling wine resulting from a blend of indigenous grape varieties: Samsó (Cinsault), Garrut (Mourvèdre), Trepat, Ull de Perdiu, Queixal de Llop, Sumoll, and Grenache Noir, harvested from predominantly limestone soils. After crushing, the musts from the different grape varieties ferment one after the other and are gradually added, thus extending fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation completes in the bottle, for ten months, on fine lees. No filtration, no additives, and no added sulfites. A fruity, very fresh sparkling wine with floral and yeasty notes. Very long finish.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.
Xarel lo Macabeu White 2019
Xarel lo-Macabeu is, as its name suggests, a blend of equal parts Catalan Xarel lo and Macabeu grape varieties grown in Pla de Penedès (Alto Penedés) on clay-limestone soils at an altitude of between 200 and 230 meters. The vines are between 35 and 45 years old. The grapes are sorted, crushed, and macerated with the stems and skins, two days for the Xarel lo and one day for the Macabeu. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and the two grape varieties are blended after alcoholic fermentation. The wine is fragrant, dry, aromatic, mineral, with balanced acidity and a touch of controlled oxidation.
Learn more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, come in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines - because the second side is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. As merchant winemakers, Alberto and Joshua personally harvest by hand from organic wineries throughout Catalonia and bring the harvest back to their brewery-cum-winery workshop in La Sagrera (Barcelona). There, they sort the grapes, tread them by foot, and ferment the must using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Depending on the type of wine, skin maceration takes place on the skins and stems for between one and three days for whites and between six and fifteen days for reds. The free-run juice is then transferred without pressing into stainless steel tanks where fermentation continues before bottling. The skins and stems, and sometimes part of the juice, are then used for the maceration of saison beers: an interesting synergy between beer and wine. No sulfites are added during vinification; nothing is added to or removed from the wine, which is never filtered. The harvest and other viticultural operations are decided according to the lunar calendar.
Kikiriki Black Red 2018
Elegance, purity, and a crisp minerality due to the limestone characterize the productions of Clos Lentiscus. The note of controlled oxidation, when present, does not dominate the tasting, and the wines are never deviant. The cavas are renowned for their exuberance, but those from Clos Lentiscus never have more than two grams of residual sugar per liter. The estate also produces still wines, red, white, and rosé.
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This Cocorico (in Catalan) is a red made from a blend of Tempranillo and Cariñena (Carignan). Aromatic and light, it comes in a one-liter bottle and is not a luxury: this distinguished gurgle, at the table and as an aperitif, will go well with everything. A very good wine for tapas and al fresco dining.
It is in Sitges, Catalonia, in the heart of the Garraf Natural Park, that Manel Avinyo and his brother Joan took over the family estate, renamed Clos Lentiscus by Manel. Even though Barcelona is only a half-hour drive away, the beauty of the landscape is striking and the immersion in nature is total: Mediterranean forests rub shoulders with Catalan scrubland (thyme, rosemary, rockrose, mastic tree which gave its name to the estate, etc.). The Penedès region also has a long winemaking history. Nestled in its gentle hills is Clos Lentiscus, in the Penedés appellation, on twenty hectares of sandy and clay-limestone soils facing due south at an altitude of 225 meters. According to historical documents, the family of Manel and Joan Avinyo has been established there since at least the 14th century. For a long time, the grapes were sold to local cooperatives, but since the two brothers took over the estate, organic and biodynamic farming has replaced conventional practices, the entire harvest goes into the house vintages, and organic and biodynamic practices have allowed this beautiful property to reconnect with its former prestige: in the 19th century, its wines were sold in France and as far away as the Americas. Manel quickly earned a nickname: The Bubbleman, a tribute to his talent for making cavas, the sparkling white wines characteristic of the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, from native varieties that only Catalonia has the secret to: sumoll, ull de llebre, xarel·lo, malvasia from Sitges, cartoixà vermell, cariñena (carignan), accompanied by tempranillo and muscat from Alexandria. The vines are old, sometimes centuries old. No synthetic additives are used in the vineyard, and operations such as planting, pruning, de-budding, and harvesting are dictated by the lunar phases. Pollination is facilitated by the presence of beehives; sheep contribute to fertilization and control of the plant cover. Ringo, the white horse, is responsible for working the soil.
VNB Vinel lo Blanc 2020
Partida Creus
Beautiful maturity, sharp character and acidity characteristic of the Partida Creus estate. Made for seafood, this very fresh white, easy to drink (ten degrees of alcohol), results from a very light maceration of native Catalan grape varieties: garnatxa blanca, macabeu, moscatell, vinyater, xarel·lo, parsé and parellada.
To find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both in terms of wine and history – here we are talking about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont—and even from the Langhe region, where wine is well-versed—first pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug tickled them, and they soon abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they found a number of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties, which they passionately revived to save these varieties—and their wines—from oblivion. For them, it's not just a matter of saving their heritage, no: it's a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will never stop making from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to produce their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic, entirely manual and natural viticulture in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, ceciat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel.lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel.lo: it is a true conservatory of the native Catalan grape varieties that Partida Creus cares for. There is also Moscatel, Grenache, Merlot and Cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast of growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single varietals are common among them, alongside very rich blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that indicate the cuvée. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.
Digresion '20 Beer 2020, Cyclic Beer Farm
Cyclic Beer Farm
Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone can satisfy their thirst, the beers from the Barcelona-based brewery Cyclic Beer Farm play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, in the Catalan style. Based on classic principles and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewer-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, and macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables, and grape skins from Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors reminiscent of an unidentified drinkable object (OBNI). Whether they assert themselves through balance or a certain controlled dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential during the summer heat, served well chilled.
This saison-style cuvée has an alcohol content of 5.5%. It is the result of a complex blend: 28% mixed saison fermentation for six months, 28% mixed saison fermentation for eighteen months, 22% tangy saison, and 22% mixed saison fermentation aged for six months in oak barrels. The resulting blend is aged for eighteen months. At this stage, we can almost speak of alchemy, even numerology. The result is as complex, while remaining accessible, as its composition. Disgresión ("Digression") was created in relation to a social context, that of Covid 19. It is the result of a collaboration between Cyclic Beer Farm and several local breweries (Cobeer-19 project). 19% of profits are donated to charitable causes. The beer itself is fresh and classic, with a good bitterness and balance.
Xarel-10 Wine Beer 2020, Cyclic Beer Farm
Cyclic Beer Farm
Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone can satisfy their thirst, the beers from the Barcelona-based brewery Cyclic Beer Farm play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, in the Catalan style. Based on classic principles and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewer-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, and macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables, and grape skins from Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors reminiscent of an unidentified drinkable object (OBNI). Whether they assert themselves on balance or on a certain controlled dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential in the summer heat, served well chilled.
Xarel·10, with 6.7% alcohol, is part of the Cyclic Beer Farm 2020 Wine Ales series, which also includes Carignan, Garnatxa and Trepat. They are fermented with the skins of local grape varieties. All the grapes are organic and hand-picked before being pressed or macerated for winemaking. The resulting marc (skins and stems) is then added to already fermented and aged beers, selected for each type of grape variety. A maceration of one to six months follows to allow the residual sugar to complete its fermentation and the character of the grape variety to be communicated to the beer through infusion. Before bottling, brewers decide whether or not to add beer to achieve the desired flavors, based on acidity, the natural taste of the grape variety, tannins, complexity, and drinkability.
Brewers choose beers from three bases: their saison, their sour base (fermented from their blend of lactic acid bacteria and their blend of indigenous yeasts), and their "funky" base (indigenous yeasts and a cocktail of brettanomyces yeasts). After blending and bottling, the beers referment and refine for varying lengths of time.
Here, maceration is done on the skins and stems of the famous Catalan grape variety xarel·lo. The result is floral, moderately acidic, and delicately vinous.
Grisette Beer 2022,
Cyclic Beer Farm
Low in alcohol, light, refreshing, and not very full-bodied, Grisette is a session beer, the little cousin of Cyclic Beer Farm's Saison. It offers notes of citrus and tropical fruits balanced by traditional hopping that gives it a moderate bitterness. It's designed to be drunk chilled, but its brewing with the house's brett cocktail ensures it ages comfortably. Perfect for quenching thirst when the sun is shining. Grisette is 3.7% ABV.
To find out more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, come in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines — because the second side is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone can satisfy their thirst, the beers play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, Catalan style, without forgetting to dare the beer with wine, of course. On classic bases and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewers-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables or grape skins of Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors that are reminiscent of the Obni (unidentified drinkable object). Whether they assert themselves on balance or on a certain managed dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential during the summer heat, served well chilled (like their creators).
Witty Fool Beer 2022,
Cyclic Beer Farm
A German-style wheat-based wheat beer (Witbier), but more tart and fruity than the classic model. Refreshing, it's extremely comforting and an aperitif in the summer heat. And good in any other season... Its flavoring includes Indian coriander seeds and the juice and zest of oranges harvested at the family estate in Alt Empordà (Catalonia). Witty Fool has an ABV of 5.5%.
Find out more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, come in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines - because the second side is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone can have something to satisfy their thirst, the beers play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, Catalan style, without forgetting to dare to make beer with wine, of course. Based on classic principles and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewers-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, and macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables, and grape skins from Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors reminiscent of the Obni (unidentified drinkable object). Whether they assert themselves through balance or a certain controlled dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential during the summer heat, served well chilled (like their creators).
Jamaica Beer 2022,
Cyclic Beer Farm
Funkin' for Jamaica, sang Tom Browne (search it on YouTube if you don't know it, you won't regret the click). If possible, accompany this listening with a refreshing glass of this deliciously sweet, floral, and fruity vermillion beer. This 2022 vintage boasts a particularly orange-lemon aroma and a more pronounced acidity: a true fountain of youth for spring, summer, and the lingering summer. The composition of this beer includes, in addition to the hibiscus flowers that give this fantastic red-orange color, the zest and juice of organic oranges harvested on the family farm in Alt Empordà (Catalonia). Jamaica is 7% ABV.
To find out more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, come in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines—because the second side is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone can satisfy their thirst, the beers play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, Catalan style, without forgetting to dare the beer with wine, of course. On classic bases and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewers-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables or grape skins of Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors that are reminiscent of the Obni (unidentified drinkable object). Whether they assert themselves on balance or on a certain managed dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential during the summer heat, served well chilled (like their creators).
Pomelo del Huerto Beer 2022,
Cyclic Beer Farm
A great addition to Cyclic Beer Farm's flavored beer repertoire, Pomelo del Huerto is a tangy beer made from the peel and juice of organic grapefruit from the brewers' family estate in Alt Empordà, Catalonia. The brew also includes coriander seeds, sea salt, and a light dry hopping with the Simcoe variety. This vintage is particularly complex and interesting. Pomelo del Huerto has an ABV of 4.2%.
Find out more
Cyclic Beer Farm is a duo of Barcelona-based friends, Alberto and Joshua. Based in the Catalan capital, they have two sides to their business: beer (Cyclic Beer) and wine (Cyclic Wine). The beers, inspired by the Belgian model, are available in surprising and colorful ranges where expertly measured yeast cocktails and house brews combine with varied macerations of fruits, vegetables, herbs and grape marc from traditional Catalan varieties, the latter taken after the fermentation of their wines - because the second part is the wine, made exclusively from native Catalan grape varieties. Packaged in 75 cl bottles so that everyone has something to satisfy their thirst, the beers play between classicism and flights of inspiration, in a contrasting and creative way, Catalan style, without forgetting to dare the wine beer, of course. Based on classic principles and a Belgian fermentation model, the two brewers-winemakers Joshua and Alberto play with ingredients, aromas, and macerations, between cereals, fruits, vegetables, and grape skins from Catalan grape varieties, to achieve flavors reminiscent of the Obni (unidentified drinkable object). Whether they assert themselves through balance or a certain controlled dissonance, these beers will never leave you indifferent and will reveal their full potential during the summer heat, served well chilled (like their creators).
VY Vinyater Blanc 2019,
Partida Creus
Made from old vines (sixty years old) of the Catalan Vinyater grape variety on clay-limestone soil, aged in 50-liter demijohns, this is a fresh and seductive white wine that excels with seafood, grilled white meats, and sweetbreads, but can also seduce without any accompaniment or pretext. Rounded, buttery, expressive, and mineral. The nose is all about white fruits and white flowers. Lemon zest, a touch of beeswax. On the palate, volume, body, and a very long finish.
Find out more
Partida Creus is an important estate, both from a winemaking and historical perspective—we're talking here about the history of the vine in Catalonia. Massimo Marchiori and Antonella Gerosa, originally from Piedmont—and even from the Langhe region, where wine is well-versed—first pursued careers as architects in Barcelona. But the wine bug tickled them, and they soon abandoned the big city and its sophistication for the vineyards of southern Catalonia, in Bonastre in Baix-Penedés. There they found a number of abandoned vineyards planted with a dizzying diversity of traditional Catalan grape varieties, which they passionately revived to save these varieties—and their wines—from oblivion. For them, it's not just a matter of saving their heritage, no: it's a matter of taste and nature. Of natural wines, which they will never stop making from now on on these sandy, poor, clay-limestone or clay-gravel soils, poor and poorly irrigated, where the vines suffer to produce their best juice. Massimo and Antonella practice organic, biodynamic, entirely manual and natural viticulture in order to give new life to these wines. Vinyater, sumoll, garrut, monastrell, ull de perdiu, ull de llebre, sumoll, queixal de llop, cariñena, trepat, ceciat parent, maccabeu, parellada, pansé, vinel.lo, bobal, cartoixà vermell or xarel.lo: it is a true conservatory of the native Catalan grape varieties that Partida Creus cares for. There is also Moscatel, Grenache, Merlot and Cabernet (among others). Few wineries can boast of growing so many different grape varieties. The wines reflect this diversity, with winemakers striving to best convey the signature of the soil and the grape variety: single varietals are common among them, alongside very rich blends, all in the styles dear to Catalonia: still wine, "ancestral" sparkling wine, and even vermouth. The bottles themselves are works of art: bare glass, simply marked with two large stenciled initials that indicate the cuvée. The wines, fresh, vibrant, lush but always straightforward and impeccably juicy and fruity, breathe life. The arrival of a Partida Creus at the table always elicits cries of satisfaction.
