Wine Notes: Bell Cros in Cataluña

BELL CROS

DREAM TEAM IN CATALUÑA

By Cassie M @Wineposter

Bell Cros is the name of the vineyard and the wine, and the beautiful valley in DO Montsant, Tarragona (Cataluña). It derives from “Bell”, which is Catalan for beautiful, and “Cros”, an old local Catalan word for valley. Bell Cros is a combined effort by a real dream team: Ann and Peter Skoglund, Swedish entrepreneurs who have assembled a group of local enthusiasts headed up by renowned winemaker Joan Asens. Their shared goal is to put DO Montsant more firmly on the map. Tarragona a lies just south-west of Barcelona, and if you head due west into the mountains you reach Comarca Priorat with its main town of Falset. The county (“comarca”) of Priorat comprises two intertwined wine districts – DOQ Priorat in the middle surrounded almost entirely by DO Montsant.

Romans and Monks The earliest traces of wine production in the region were discovered at Marça, the village closest to Bell Cros. Shards of amphorae have been unearthed there in what was once a Roman settlement. But it was in the Middle Ages that hectares of vines were planted by monks who introduced new agricultural techniques that created an environment in which the vines flourished. ranean Sea, but there are continental features too. Hot, dry summers are followed by cool winters with rain and the risk of hail and frost. The vineyards are between 50 and 700 metres above sea level. It is a barren and harsh environment where the red-tinged soil contains elements of chalk, granite, silica and sand.

Local Grapes The main focus for Bell Cros are Garnacha and Carinyena grapes. They are typical of DO Montsant and neighbouring DOC Priorat.

These are three of their wines… L’Amic 2021 L’Amic – Friend. The best way to drink and enjoy this rosé wine is with friends, old and new, comfortably seated in tranquil surroundings or in a vibrant setting watching people pass by. Put the wine in an ice bucket, take your time, sip and enjoy. Wine Type: Rosé Grapes: Hand-picked; 100 per cent Garnacha Negra Winemaker: Joan Asens Average Age of Vines: 27 to 68 years Tasting Notes: Pink crystalline salmon colour. Aromatically fresh with citrus,

orange grapefruit and red fruit notes, such as cherry, and aniseed nuances. Serving Suggestions: Fish, seafood, white meat, salads (without vinegar), pasta and rice. Serve at a temperature of 8°C.

El Mirador 2018 El Mirador is the vantage point that gives a stunning view of the whole of the Bell Cros vineyard. Wine Type: Red Grapes: Hand-picked 60 per cent Garnacha Negra and 40 per cent Carinyena Winemaker: Joan Asens Average Age of Vines: 46 to 70 years Tasting Notes: Ruby red in colour. Aromatically fresh and delicate with flavours of lilac flowers, plums and citrus. A long finish that seduces you to drink more. Serving Suggestions: Preferably paired with white or red meat together with pasta, rice and vegetables. Serve at a temperature of 16-17°C.

L’Addició 2019 Historically, more than 95 per cent of grapes grown in Montsant are red, and this is also the case in the Bell Cros vineyard. In recent years, white wines made from the Garnacha Blanca grape have been rediscovered and appreciated as fantastic wines. The name of the wine is L’Addició, an addition to the red wines. Wine Type: White Grapes: Hand-picked; 100 per cent Garnacha Blanca Winemaker: Joan Asens Average Age of Vines: 26 years Tasting Notes: Mid-colour wine with bright yellow-green tones. Aromatically dense and complex, dominated by citrus, aniseed and white flowers. On the palate it is opulent and fresh, with good acidity and volume. Serving Suggestions: Fish, seafood, white meat, salads (without vinegar), cheese, pasta and rice. Serve at a temperature between 10 and 14°C.

Wines from Bell Cros are available at the Vinoteca Barolo wine shop and bar: Urb. Doña Lola, Local 23 Calahonda (Mijas Costa) Reservations: (+34) 666 324 214 info@vinotecabarolo.com www.vinotecabarolo.com Instagram: @Vinotecabarolo @Wineposter