Casa Mariol

 

Do you know your Syrah from your Chardonnay?

Well don’t worry, neither did we!

Thankfully, Porktie recently discovered Casa Mariol - a traditional Catalan vineyard that’s taking a fresh approach to ensure their wine appeals to a new generation of connoisseurs in Barcelona. Put down your cerveza and join us as we visit their flagship bodega in Sagrada Familia to sample some local vino.

Having launched their new collection of wines at the prestigious international wine fair in London earlier this year, Casa Mariol have been receiving plaudits from far and wide. But interestingly it’s what’s on the bottle as well as what’s in the bottle that’s got people talking.

In an attempt to market their 17 varieties of wines to a wider and more youthful audience, Casa Mariol recently embarked on a change of labelling. Each label has been stripped back to a more simple, informative design that includes a fool proof guide of everything you need to know to enjoy the contents of the bottle to the fullest.

Descriptions of the bouquet, aroma, taste and age are all included, as well as a useful suggestion that advises drinkers of which foods best accompany each particular wine. Each bottle even comes complete with a QR code so Iphone users can scan the bottle with their camera and find out further information. Now that’s definitely a wine bottle fit for 21^st century Barcelona.

Casa Mariol strongly believe in the importance of wine in a social environment – and recommend that you should always pop the cork in the company of good food and good friends.

Keen to spread their philosophy to others in Barcelona, Casa Mariol have recently hosted master-classes and dinners for their new found friends and enthusiasts to come along and enjoy their wines in the way they believe they should be enjoyed.

Having recently won Gold at the European Design Awards for one of their limited edition bottles, it’s clearly not just within Barcelona where Casa Mariol are making new friends. In fact, with plans to expand their products into the UK market in 2011, it seems that their reputation is being built a lot quicker than the big church next door! Not bad for a family run vineyard.

(Prices range from around 3 to 12 Euros per bottle)

 

More information on the vineyard:

·         Location: Terra Alta region (the southernmost tip of Cataluña)

·         Size: 40 hectares

·         Climate: below 0 in winter, above 40 in summer, 500mm annual rainfall

·         Varieties of grape:

Red - Garnatxa, Cariñena, Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot

White - Macabeo, Chardonnay , Moscat

·         Porktie tip:  For around 8 Euros you can enjoy a glass of wine with some local cheese and olives from the Terra Alta in Casa Mariol´s bodega in Sagrada Famila.

 

Website – http://www.facebook.com/casamariol 

Address - Calle Roselló 442, 08025