The Master of Wine and British journalist Tim Atkin, one of the most prestigious international prescribers, will explain on Wednesday in the framework of a tasting at the fourth edition of the Barcelona Wine Week trade fair which Catalan wines and producers have surprised him the most. With the support of the Catalan Wine Association and his collaborator Fintan Kerr, he has covered a good part of Catalan production. He will publish his results in his Special Report at 2 p.m. on Wednesday on his website (www.timatkin.com).
As the best white wine they ranked the most elegant and fine Xarel Nun Vinya dels Taus by Enric Soler to date, the one from the 2022 vintage (Penedès without DO), and as the best red the finest Garnacha from the DO Qualificada Priorat Les Manyes 2021 by Dominik A. Huber, from Terroir al Límit. As mejor rosado they have ensalzado al también DO Ca. Priorat Clos Mogador Vi de Vila Gratallops Rosat 2021 by René Barbier Meyer, and as mejor dulce in DO Costers del Segre Castell d’Encús Majjan 2014 from Castell d’Encús (Raül Bobet). The best generous wine was Marfil Generós Sec Solera 1976, the red with the best quality-price ratio the Dos Germans 2022 (DO Terra Alta) and the white with the best quality-price ratio the DO Conca de Barberà Abadia de Poblet 2019.
They also distinguished Marta Casas de Parés Baltà as best oenologist (DO Cava, Penedès, Priorat and Ribera del Duero), Roc Gramona as best young oenologist (for the Enclòs de Peralba project in Penedès that he shares with his cousin Leonard) and as best technical director to Miquel Palau de Celler Abadal of the DO Pla de Bages. Celler Capçanes (DO Montsant) has been crowned as the best cooperative winery, and the career of the founder of Clos Mogador: René Barbier Ferrer, has been recognized as a “legendary” viticulturist-winemaker.
Tim Atkin, who also writes for Harpers and Decanter, acknowledges in statements to La Vanguardia’s ‘Comer’ channel that “to be honest, I never thought that the wines of Catalonia were so diverse.” He adds that the quality is very high and that “Catalonia has a lot to talk about and be proud of.” He assures that “it has been a pleasure to discover Terra Alta, as well as some of the new styles that emerge from regions such as Priorat and Montsant.”
He has no doubt that Grenache Blanca is a variety with a very promising future in Catalonia. He also admits that he “loves” Cariñena, Trepat and Garnacha Tinta. But the grape that really excites him most at the moment is Xarel·lo, especially from old vines. He goes so far as to assure that the white and native xarel·lo “is a winning Catalan card.”
Regarding the international projection of Catalan wines, he affirms that the sparkling wines are known, although he does not fail to point out that “the message is a little confused due to the variety of quality and price levels, not to mention the associations and groups of producers. ”. He also believes that Montsant is gaining presence “partly due to its fame associated with Priorat.” The rest of Catalonia’s production is understood to be less known, “except for some prominent brands such as Familia Torres.” At the same time, Tim Atkin believes that “there is a lot of work to do to communicate the diversity of Catalan wine, but also its quality and history.”
