Around the world in seven glasses of wine

“Here I’d like to suggest a different journey, with a wine-lover’s suitcase full of everything you need to discover new places (and wines!) without leaving home.”

We all share photos of our travels on Facebook, especially anything involving food and drink. Putting our “cheers” moments on display is now central to our concept of holidays.

Here I’d like to suggest a different journey. With a wine-lover’s suitcase full of everything you need to discover new places without leaving home:

1) MILMANDA.CONCA DE BARBERÀ

The castle ofMilmandais home to wines originating from theConca de Barberàregion.This unique historical and geographical setting,with Iberian, Greek Phoenician and Roman ruins, has been a fortified farmstead since time immemorial.

Milmanda is a Chardonnay wine produced by the Torres family, fermented in oak barrels and with all the flavours of a mediaeval landscape that never goes out of fashion.

2)MANSO DE VELASCO.CHILE

Manso de Velascois a Cabernet Sauvignon from centuries-old vines and aged in French Nevers oak barrels over a 16 month period inValle Curicó.Chileis the world’s wine paradise, a place that due to its natural frontiers has never succumbed to phylloxera. Located in the southern hemisphere, harvesting takes place between February and May.

3)MAS CAVALLS.CALIFORNIA

We travel next toRussian River Valley (California)to enjoy a very special Pinot Noir,Mas Cavallsfrom Marimar Torres, with its delicious bouquet of cherries and rich tannins combining to offer a complex and mysterious red wine. Perfect for sampling the cold currents of the Pacific and the Californian sun in the same glass.

4)RIBERA DEL DUERO

A place that is not usually frequented by tourists but scores highly in tastings isRibera del Duero. RollingCeleste Crianzaaround your mouth you’ll notice the opulence of a wine with plenty of fruit, body and colour, ideal for evenings in search of refreshment.

And if we want to experience all the warmth and vivacity of the Verdejo grape our next port of call is the neighbouring district ofRueda,where notes of tropical fruit will whisk us away to an exotic beach.

5)PRIORAT

This brings us the fifth stop on our journey, where we seek peace, meditation and silence… an important plus on holiday that are all to be found inPriorat. You’ll also have the chance to enjoySecret del Priorat, a sweet, late-harvest red that is available in limited quantities, made from the Cariñena and Garnacha varieties in what is, alongside Rioja, the only certified protected Appellation of origin in Spain.

6)RIOJA

A fine barbecue in the open air befits a toast withAltos IbéricosTempranillo, the Bodegas TorresRioja D.O.C. The colour of the skies accompanying your drink is neither here nor there, because the palate pays no heed to languages or geography, only to sensations. When all is said and done, travelling is more a state of the mind than of the body.

7)PENEDÈS

To round off our tour we uncork the equilibrium of thePenedèsas embodied byViña Sol, “the white wine accompaniment to paella that never fails”, capable of turning any working day into a holiday.

Don’t forget to share your souvenirs with your nearest and dearest when you get back so they can “LIKE” your personal cellar.

Meritxell Falgueras