C A T A L U N Y A

Hello from Litchfield-by-the-Sea!

I'm taking a few days off with the immediate family, bearing the heat on the coast, but to also re-charge before we enter the final push to get Park Road open this Fall.

This week we are excited to bring to you the captivating world of Catalan Wine! Join us for a remarkable tasting journey through Spain's Catalunya region, where robust reds and elegant whites unveil the region's rich heritage and artistry. After all, this is the land of Salvador Dalí & Antoni Gaudí!

We will kick-off the $18 Tasting Flight of four wines with a delightful Cava that is equally delicious over brunch as it is with tapas. Next up, a crisp 100% Xare-lol Blanco that has gained popularity as the go-to on the beaches of the Balearic islands. The reds start with a Merlot/Cabernet blend and then finish with a rich example of beautiful 2016 Priorat. It's a perfect tasting from Catalunya.

So escape the heat and visit with us this week as we explore the nuanced flavors, terroir, and grape varietals that define Catalan winemaking. The flights start today at both locations!

For more information about our tasting room hours, a Catalunya overview, and additional information on the featured wines, please continue reading below.

Adéu i fins aviat

Mark

EMAIL YOUR CHATEAU MINUTY 2022 ROSÉ WISHES TO: Jeremie@petitphilippe.com !

Catalunya, Spain

A brief history of the region... Catalunya is an autonomous wine region in northeastern Spain. 

Though not independent, Catalunya has its own flag and its own language (Catalan). It’s worth noting that Catalan is distinct — it’s not a dialect of Spanish. Catalunya has experienced varying degrees of autonomy throughout its history. 

After the War of Spanish Succession (somewhat of a yawn in World History textbooks), Catalunya lost its sovereignty. And then it got worse — Catalunya found itself on the losing side of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). As a result, Catalonian culture and language were all but crushed during the reign of Ferdinand Franco (1939-75).  

Under Franco, it was illegal to use the Catalan, although it was still spoken (softly) in private homes.

When Franco died in 1975, a democratic constitution for Spain recognized Catalunya’s autonomy and language. Today, calls for Catalonian independence are back on the table in a big way — change is in the wind...

Winemaking

Making wine is not new to Catalunya — wines have been made in Catalunya for thousands of years.  Catalunya has absorbed the influence of numerous cultures throughout its history, and wine has either ebbed or flowed in tandem. 

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Phoenicians introduced winemaking to the region several hundred years before the Romans arrived there. Catalunya wine flourished under the Romans, vines were neglected under the Moors, and the Christians shepherded a vineyard resurgence during the Middle Ages. 

Incidentally, Franco was no friend to wine. During his reign, a lot of vineyards and grapes were neglected or uprooted altogether. The theme in modern Catalonian winemaking is resurgence. Since the 1980s, Spanish wineries have been making a push to modernize.  And with modernization came cutting-edge wine making equipment, and an influx of young, motivated, well-educated wine makers — who are just beginning to put Catalunya wine on the world’s wine map.

Main Red Varietals:

• Garnacha
• Cariñena
• Monastrell
• Tempranillo

Main Wine Regions in Catalunya

Priorat: 90 miles southwest of Barcelona. The wines are largely based on old-vine Garnacha, Carignan and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. These are predominantly big, dark, powerful wines with minerally depth derived from the region’s decomposed slate soils, known as llicorella. Alcohol levels usually exceed 15% abv, with flavors revolving around ripe black fruits, oak framing and a potent core of minerality.

Montsant: A mini Priorat, wrapping around the region like a horseshoe, with similar elevations and similarly composed soils. Montsant wines straddle the fence between power and precision. Because the reds are usually based on Garnacha, Carignan and Syrah, expect ripeness and high alcohol levels. But grown at elevations close to 2,000 feet in high-mineral, schist-based soils like those in Priorat, Montsant wines can be alluring, refined, minerally and should rank high on one’s Catalonian wish list.

Terra Alta: As its name implies, this is the highest winemaking region in Catalunya, with elevations up to 3,000 feet. It’s also the denominación de origen (D.O.) that’s furthest inland, where schist and llicorella give way to chalk-based soils. In Terra Alta, red grapes are mostly Garnacha, Carignan, Syrah and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Morenillo, a grape that’s akin to Pinot Noir, but is nearly extinct and doesn’t exist outside of the region. These are mostly full-bodied red wines with freshness fostered by elevation. Because the region is just now emerging, pricing is attractive.

Penedès: The vinous pride of Barcelona province is the Penedès, home to the lion’s share of Spain’s Cava industry as well as a handful of notable still-wine producers. One of Spain’s highest yielding regions, thanks to the huge volume of white grapes needed for Cava.

>> Tasting Flight Hours:

MYERS PARK:

4:30 - 6:30pm Wednesday

4:30 - 7:30pm Thursday & Friday

1:00 - 7:30pm Saturday 

SOUTH END: 

5:30 - 9:00pm Wedn - Thurs - Friday

1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday

1:00 - 5:30pm Sunday

>> Tasting Flight Offerings:

VallDolina

Cava Reserva Brut Nature 2019

Alt Penedès, Catalunya, SP

$26 btl/retail

The name Valldolina [vai-doh-LEE-nah] is a description of the landscape. Dolines are depressions formed in areas that rich in limestone soils (karst), while 'vall' is Catalan for valley. Thus, Valldolina = valley of dolines.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: A blend of Xarel·lo, Macabeu, Parellada, & Chardonnay that are hand harvested, fermented in stainless steel, and the resulting wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, where it then ages on its lees for more than 24 months.

TASTING NOTES: Dry, crisp, and creamy. Vivacious aromatic complexity. White flowers, and stone fruits. Dry and elegant on the palate, harmonious and balanced with fresh acidity and minerality, and a long finish.

PAIRING: The perfect pairing to your favorite tapas that feature white asparagus, and artichokes. Also, the timeless "gambas al ajillo" is a classic pairing for this delicious Cava.

Alemany i Corrio

"Principia Mathematica" Penedès Blanca 2021

Penedès, Catalunya, SP

$28 btl/retail

This is only 12.3% alcohol and comes through as fresh, sharp and floral, with citrus notes; it's very drinkable and reflects a cool vintage with freshness. The finest Principia Mathematica ever! 

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: 100% Xarel-lo from a 2.8-hectare vineyard planted 55 years ago and wants to show the variety and zone.

TASTING NOTES: This exceptional white captivates the senses with its crisp white fruit and apricot bouquet, complemented by a delicate nuttiness and a luxurious, Meursault-like butteriness. As it unfolds, the aroma deepens, offering a perfect balance of richness and complexity. The palate reveals a delightful fusion of mineral-infused, grassy white fruit with hints of apricot and nuts, supported by a dry, soft, yet refreshing acidity.

PAIRING: Though a natural companion to seafood, the Principia Mathematica transcends traditional pairings with its versatility. Try it with grilled pork!

Finca Malaveïna

Empordà 2019

Empordà, Catalunya, SP

$32 btl/retail

Finca Malaveïna (“Bad Neighboor”), a curious name whose origins are lost in time) is a vineyard designed to make extraordinaire wines. It covers an area of 19 hectares of red clay slopes, and enjoys an amazing vista of both the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: Merlot (63%), Cabernet Sauvignon (17%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Garnatxa Negre (6%). Aged for 22 months in new Bordeaux barrels of Allier French oak, rest in bottle.

TASTING NOTE: Cherry red color with a high layer. Powerful aroma, remember the black fruits, with a background of spicy and toasted notes. The palate is round, fleshy and structured. The acidity is very fresh and the tannins are very round, giving a feeling of creaminess. It has an excellent balance, with a good step of mouth and long aftertaste. It is a wine with a marked personality of the farm from which it comes and has a great potential for aging.

PAIRING: Does well with risotto-styled rice dishes with mushrooms, and with appetizers that feature Manchego cheese.

Cesca Vicent

"Lo Piot" Priorat 2016

Priorat, Catalunya, SP

$38 btl/retail

Cesca Vicent is a unique property located in the heart of Priorat, in the town of Gratallops. It is owned and ran by Francesca Vicent (better known as Cesca), a fifth-generation producer. Her family has been farming grapes in this area since the 16th century, she has a little 'street cred' in the area!

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING:  40% Carignan, 25% Grenache, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

TASTING NOTE: On the nose, it entices with aromas of ripe dark berries, such as blackberry and black cherry, intertwined with hints of dried herbs and a touch of spice. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with a seamless integration of fruit, tannins, and acidity. Flavors of blackberry jam, plum, and dark chocolate tantalize the taste buds. Subtle notes of licorice, tobacco, and a hint of minerality add layers of complexity. The well-structured tannins provide a velvety texture, and the wine culminates in a long, satisfying finish, leaving a lingering impression of dark fruit and a touch of savory spice.

PAIRING: Pairs well with grilled meats, hearty stews, or aged cheeses. Its depth of flavor and elegant structure make it a perfect choice for special occasions or moments of indulgence.

We Will Have Your Order Ready for Pick-up at either Myers Park, or South End Store Locations!

 704.332.9910 (Myers Park) | 704.332.9913 (South End)

 mark@petitphilippe.com | www.petitphilippe.com

Wine Emergency? text us at 415.306.4283

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