A taste of Catalonia: Priorat

Donald and I are heading off to Barcelona for our honeymoon, and will be visiting some of the wine regions of Catalonia, including Penedes and Priorat.  Priorats are a blend of grape - Garnacha, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, etc  - full-bodied, well made, fruit forward wines that tend to be on the expensive side. 

Currently, a value priced Priorat is available - Camins del Priorat 2011, priced at $22.95, at LCBO.  The maker, Alvaro Palacios, is famous for making wines that usually cost around $800.

Lots of rave reviews, and a great opportunity to get a feeling for this wonderful wine.

 

Hola, Espana!!!!

Our fabulous hosts, Tanya and Erik, raised the bar yet again with an incredible evening of wine, food, and tons of cheeses, all Ibericanly inspired.....

Below are the names and associated links of the 7 bottles that so kindly gave up their lives for us:

2007 Burgans Albariño Rias Baixas ($18.95 at the LCBO)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rías_Baixas

2004 Fontal Crianza La Mancha ($14.94 at the LCBO) http://www.intowine.com/la-mancha-spain-s-largest-wine-region

We all enjoyed the food - from Spanish cheeses to local Ottawa ones made chez Tanya (see her blog for more details), olives, jamon, potato tortilla, grilled tuna with tapenade....

2006 Arrocal Ribera del Duero ($17.95 at the LCBO) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribera_del_Duero

2003 Los 800 Priorat ($19.95 at the LCBO)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priorat_

(DOQ) 2001 Bodegas LAN Reserva Rioja ($20.95 at the LCBO) http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1039408

http://www.bodegaslan.com/en/vinedo.htm

1999 Baron de Ona Rioja Reserva (purchased in Spain)

http://www.skurnikwines.com/prospects.cgi?rm=view_prospect_detail&prospect_id=448



1999 Los Molinos Gran Reserva Valdepenas ($14.95 at the LCBO) http://www.catavino.net/region/wines-of-valdepenas/

Good company, fun stories about our various travels in Spain, cheesey anecdotes....
So which wines were our favorites? Check out the comments and add yours...