Hola and welcome to day 4.
Last night’s catch-up: dinner at the beautiful Hotel Mas Collet. It was very fancy, French influenced food. We all agreed it was very good, but really what we want to eat here is Spain’s heart & soul, made by the people who live where the products are found or grown. None of that comida plastica (as Salvador at Lo Golero would say).
Hotel Mas Collet, where we are currently staying in Capsanes
Today was about the love affair between Rene Barbier and Gretchen, which was a wonder to behold and to, by association, reap the benefits of. Any one of you who works with us at Barcelona should understand that Gretchen is the reason that Laurona wine is still being produced. Seriously! Rene Barbier told us himself that they were on the verge of closing down the project when Gretchen began to direct import it for us. His gratitude for this came out by his giving us one of the most enchanting days you can imagine.
Laurona Vineyard
We started at the Laurona vineyard. Instead of the usual wine tasting at the winery, Rene wanted to have us taste the wine at the spot where the grapes are grown, smell the herbs and flowers that grow in the vineyard, and experience the soul of the wine. This was a brilliant idea! For the rest of the journey with Rene, let’s use pictures…
The tasting room at Laurona Vineyards
Arriving at Laurona with Rene for the tasting
Again, with Rene at Laurona
Opening Laurona 2006, with the smell of herbs in the air...
Rene & Gretchen
Espectacle! There is magic here.
Espectacle! A view from where the angels dwell.
Espectacle!
Espectacle! These 150 year old vines out-produce all of the much younger vines in Rene's other vineyards. Nobody can explain it. It truly is mystical.
Tasting Clos Mogadar at Rene's house (no really... at his house) with almonds, olives & eggs... all from his property.
The rest of the afternoon with Rene was consumed by a wonderful lunch at his son’s restaurant, Irreductibles. It was exquisite.
Since I’m a little fried at this point, and at a loss for words, I’m going to introduce your guest Blogger for the day, and let Chef Bly sign this one off…
Ola from España…t’was a very long day of vineyards and wine with a little food in between. Rene was a god and Sandra was sassy. One more day of vino and then it is FOOD! Can’t wait…
Cheers, Bly