Success at the Vinum Nature fair, the first fair for ecological wines in Catalonia

The Vinum Nature fair was held in Barcelona yesterday, the first fair in Catalonia dedicated to ecological, natural and biodynamic wines.

We couldn’t miss it. We exhibited our wines and witnessed an enthusiastic public that showed much interest and curiosity about the elaboration of these wines and the differences that exist between them and conventional ones.
The interest wasn’t just shown by the professional sector, but also by the end consumers who want, more and more so, to be informed and to know about this category of wines that is setting trends.

Ecological mentalities, “green” thinking and respect for the environment are the worries that move this group of producers and consumers.

Catalonia is the leader regarding the number of hectares of ecological vines in the Spanish state and has over 100 producers of ecological wines.

A large number are growing and we hope that continues.

El Fanio 2011 by Albet i Noya, winner of the Xarel·los del Penedès Competition

 El Fanio 2011 was the winner of the Xarel·los del Penedès Competition that took place last week in Sant Pere Molanta.

Eighteen examples of xarel·lo were presented in this 6th edition organised by L'Aula de la Vinya i el Vi.

After a first blind tasting of the eighteen samples, eight went through to the final, where the verdict was given.

The highest score went to the Fanio 2011, by Albet i Noya, which the attendees enjoyed thanks to its subtleness and elegance. The second place went to Desig 2011 by Mas Candí, following a fresher line that stood out for its ripe fruit aromas and contrasted with the third placed, Nun Vinya dels Taus 2011, by Enric Soler, much more powerful and marked by its wood aging. Three very different examples of xarel·lo, but all of an exceptional quality.

The Aula de la Vinya i el Vi is becoming a reference in the Penedès. It is the first independent tasting centre in Catalonia and has been run by Raimon Sadurní since 1996, offering an integral vision of the world of wines.

The IV dry stone wall Course has just finished

Just yesterday the IV dry stone wall Course that we organise from the cellar finalised.

The two specialists who came from Mallorca, Pep Sastre Sardà and Jaume Ferrer Payer, were the teachers for a dozen attendees who came to learn the technique for this construction which is so widespread in Mallorca. The classes took place in the El Fanio estate, in Sant Pau d'Ordal, one of the oldest vineyards we have and where remains of these walls still exist.

The construction of these walls has many advantages. Not only are they built to optimize cultivation space and help feasibility, they also avoid a large part of land erosion and landslides after heavy rainfalls. The fact that cement is not used means that water can drain away naturally through the stones and, therefore, it does not accumulate in the crop land or force pressure against it. Apart from these obvious advantages, we want to keep this very nice, artisan tradition alive in our countryside.

Within a few months we will organise a second level course for those who participated in the first one and/or others who want to learn more. If you would like to participate you can now contact us and we will send you the information once we have the new dates. martacarbonell@albetinoya.cat / tel. 93 899 48 12