Gastronomy and wine tourism

The Catalan modernist bourgeoisie may have been nouveau riche, but they certainly knew what they were doing: they made summer residences, spas, art collections and haute cuisine fashionable. Nowadays, we can enjoy their approach to life for ourselves, especially in Vallès Oriental, a region where there are plenty of ways to make the most of your leisure time.

Enjoying culinary pleasures is one of the great attractions of travelling, but with it comes great responsibility, since the way in which food is produced can have a negative impact on the ecology and biodiversity of the places we visit. To ensure that our culinary choices don’t harm local natural resources or compromise the capacity of future generations to continue savouring top-quality ingredients, we should start asking ourselves the following question more often: Is it sustainable? Here are five simple tips that will help you answer it.

There are so many things to do in the five wine and cava designations of origin in the Barcelona region: learn to distinguish between a young wine and an aged wine, participate in the daily tasks of a winery, discover the different grape varieties, spend a night on a wine estate, etc. And if you like walking, you can also follow any of the many signposted itineraries that take you among vineyards. Can you think of a better way to spend a weekend?

To enter the domains of the Penedès DO is to open oneself up to a world of sensations where everything is possible. You can taste the elixir extracted from the xarel·lo grape variety, smell the numerous species of medicinal plants, enjoy a waterfall and thrill to the sight of a human tower being crowned by the enxaneta (typically, a child of about five years old). Accompany us on this route through Alt Penedès, a land that leaves its mark.

Winter is the time of year for soups, broths, potages and stews. Spoon dishes that warm the body and comfort the spirit with a much appreciated heartiness. In the regions of Barcelona, there are also other dishes to enjoy during the cold days of winter. Seasonal treats that will entice you with their intense flavours. Would you like to find out what they are?

The Catalan Wine Cultures Museum is housed in the former Royal Palace of Vilafranca del Penedès, on the Costa Barcelona. Better known as the VINSEUM, its fascinating collection appeals to the senses, vividly evoking memories and experiences. Come on in and prepare to be amazed!