2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism

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2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
2016
      Year of
 Gastronomy
         and
Wine Tourism
2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
C ata l o n i a
2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
‘Come with me on a journey
              of discovery, cultural enrichment
         and enjoyment. You will get to know
          new people and places, learn about
         history, customs and traditions that,
           at times, will bring tears of emotion
         to your eyes but, most of all, you will
        have a great time. A journey on which
              you will experience the profound
            pleasure of a fine meal. I invite you
          to get to know Catalonia through its
             wines, its produce and its cuisine.
         This is a dish with many ingredients,
                     and you will love them all’.

                                                 Xavier Espasa,
                           Director of the Catalan Tourist Board

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2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
The Catalan Tourist Board has declared 2016
Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism. This
is an opportunity to focus marketing efforts
in Catalonia on specific and generic actions
linked to food and wine tourism experiences.
It is also an invitation to participate in a
journey of discovery that appeals to all the
senses. Discovering the cuisine, the wines,
the produce and the region. An opportunity to
enjoy a transversal tourism experience that
perfectly complements other forms of tourism.

                                                C ata l o n i a
2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
Contents

Catalonia, European Region of Gastronomy (CREG'16)              7

Food Tourism in Catalonia                                       8
The origins of Catalan cuisine                                  9
A region and landscape as diverse as its culinary traditions   10
A wealth of cuisines                                           10
A basketful of products                                        14
Products to savour in every season                             14
The gastronomic landscape                                      16
Gastronomic experiences                                        18

Wine Tourism in Catalonia                                      20
The culture of wine                                            22
Wine and cava denominations of origin                          22
Over 300 wineries to visit                                     26
The wine cathedrals                                            26

Showcasing Gastronomy and Wine Tourism                         28
Calendar of food and wine fairs and festivals                  29

Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism                            30
Action plan and targets. Highlights                            32
Participation of the Catalan tourism sector                    34

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2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
6   C ata l o n i a
2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
Produce

                                                                                    D i v ersity
                                                                                      I de n tity

                                                      Cuisine                                                              Region

Catalonia,                                    Catalonia has been named European
                                              Region of Gastronomy 2016, an honour
                                                                                               The aim of the award is to contribute
                                                                                               to a better quality of life in European

European
                                              that reflects the quality of its agricultural    regions, by highlighting distinctive food
                                              and culinary heritage and its tourism            cultures, educating for better health and

Region of
                                              industry, and highlights the excellence of       sustainability and stimulating gastronomic
                                              its produce, cuisine and traditions.             innovation. This is achieved through a
                                                                                               wide range of activities and events and

Gastronomy                                    The title identifies Catalonia as one of
                                              Europe's leading regions for food and
                                                                                               through a knowledge-exchange platform
                                                                                               supported by European regions and

(CREG'16)
                                              tourism. The great work done by Catalan
                                                                                               coordinated by an independent body
                                              producers, restaurateurs, research
                                                                                               which helps to gather and disseminate
                                              centres, schools, media, institutions and
                                                                                               the knowledge generated through the
                                              chefs has put Catalan cuisine and food
                                                                                               activities of the participating regions.
                                              products in the international spotlight.

                                              On 2 July 2015 Catalonia was officially          ‘Catalonia is gastronomy’
                                              named as European Region of Gastrono-
                                              my, together with Minho in Portugal.             Catalonia, European Region of
                                                                                               Gastronomy is an active, inclusive
                                              To achieve this award, the Government
                                                                                               project supported by a range of Catalan
                                              of Catalonia presented a candidature
                                                                                               institutions, businesses and individuals
                                              based on the three distinguishing features
                                                                                               working to promote Catalan gastronomy.
                                              of Catalan gastronomy: the region, its
                                                                                               The project's slogan is ‘Catalonia is
                                              cuisine and local produce, focusing on
                                                                                               gastronomy’.
                                              the part played by local agriculture and
                                              food products in the unique character of         This fundamental aim is reflected in all
                                              the region and as the basis for a cuisine        the measures planned for 2016 as part
Carme Ruscalleda,                             that contributes a special flavour to            of CREG'16, each of which reflect ‘the
CREG'16 Ambassador                            Catalan culture.                                 region, its cuisine and local produce’.
                                                                                               Throughout 2016 it will therefore be
The public face of this project is Carme      This pioneering European project is
                                                                                               possible to enjoy a wide range of activities
Ruscalleda, an internationally renowned       intended to generate, compile and
                                                                                               in Catalonia, including the production and
chef with three Michelin stars for her        publicise knowledge in order to contribute
                                                                                               preparation of quality agri-food products,
Sant Pau restaurant in Sant Pol de Mar,       to a better quality of life in European
                                                                                               fairs and markets, tourist routes and
two more for the Moments restaurant in        regions, by highlighting distinctive food
                                                                                               experiences, gastronomic festivals and
Barcelona's Mandarin Hotel, managed           cultures and stimulating gastronomic
                                                                                               campaigns and tasting session of dishes
by her son Raül, and another two for          innovation.
                                                                                               prepared by cuisine groups.
Sant Pau Japan in Tokyo. She is the           The European Region of Gastronomy is an
first chef in the world to accumulate so                                                       The project will thus help strengthen
                                              initiative set up by a platform of European
many Michelin stars and to remain at                                                           Catalonia's identity as a region
                                              regions and overseen by the International
the helm of the restaurants.                                                                   with a wealth of culinary traditions,
                                              Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts
                                                                                               landscapes and creative innovators,
Carme Ruscalleda is an enthusiast for         and Tourism (IGCAT). The title is awarded
                                                                                               raising the region's profile in Europe and
all three aspects of this initiative: Cata-   to 2-3 European regions each year
                                                                                               internationally.
lan produce, the region and its cuisine.      which, jointly or individually, organise a
She is a lover of everything her coun-        programme of events and partnerships to
try has to offer and is convinced of its      help them become more visible, viable,
potential.                                    socially cohesive and sustainable.

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2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
Food
    Tourism
    in Catalonia

8                  C ata l o n i a
2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
Gastronomy is a strategic sector for Cata­       Just like Catalonia's rich architectural      Escalivada, one of our most popular dishes, con-
lonia. Gastronomy is, and always will be,        and artistic heritage, Catalan cuisine is a   tains the aubergine we got from the Arabs and
one of the strongest identifying features of     tribute to the cultures that preceded us,     the red pepper that came from America.
Catalan culture. It is also vital for ensuring   showing great creativity in adapting to
the balanced development of the region,          their surroundings.
the countryside and the environment.
                                                 Oil, wheat and wine are the Mediterranean
Catalonia is a country with a long history       triumvirate that shapes our countryside
and its own language and culture. It has a       and they have formed part of our diet
mild, Mediterranean climate and unrivalled       since ancient times. They were first
natural wealth, combining stunning               cultivated, and, above all, traded by
mountain scenery with the intense light of       the Greeks and Romans. Later on
the seashore.                                    the Moors, who occupied the area
                                                 known as New Catalonia (broadly, the
Catalonia has a rich and vibrant culinary
                                                 triangular area stretching from the north
tradition which needs to be understood,                                                        What is pa amb tomàquet? A true icon of Catalan
                                                 west to the south), brought previously
appreciated and protected, and which has                                                       cuisine, easy to prepare, cheap and nutritionally
                                                 unknown ingredients, such as rice, sugar,
been influenced by many other cultures                                                         balanced, the addition of tomato and oil turns a
                                                 aubergines and saffron, cooking methods       simple slice of bread into a real treat. The concept
and civilisations.
                                                 and customs which are also reflected in       of culinary fusion is nothing new to the Catalans.
                                                 our cuisine. The discovery of America         We have always incorporated anything new and
The origins of Catalan                           brought abundant new foodstuffs which         good that comes our way.
cuisine                                          were gradually incorporated in our diet
                                                 from the 15th and 16th centuries onward.
Catalonia's culinary traditions go back to
                                                 We made these products our own, even
ancient times. The first cookery books writ-
                                                 coming to regard them as native to our
ten in Catalan of which we have a record
                                                 shores. We cannot now imagine cooking
date from the middle ages. The oldest con-
                                                 without tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and
served document is the Llibre de Sent Soví,
                                                 beans. Or chocolate, which we do not
a 14th century manuscript by an unknown
                                                 cultivate here but which we have used in
author. Three more recipe books appeared
                                                 our cuisine for centuries.
a short time later, the Llibre d’aparellar de
menjar, the Llibre de totes maneres de po-
tatges and the Llibre de totes maneres de
confits. Another mediaeval text is the Llibre
del coc, signed by Robert de Nola, chef                                                        Cannelloni, a dish brought by the Italian chefs
to King Ferdinand I of Naples, of the Arag-                                                    who settled in Barcelona in the 19th century, can
                                                                                               be found today on every family table at Christmas,
onese crown. while another book from the
                                                                                               and in restaurants all over the country.
same era, Lo crestià, by the cleric Francesc
Eiximenis, describes the correct way to
serve food and wines. These books reflect
the eating habits of the nobility, the classes
who had access to books in those days,
and they give us a great deal of information
on how people ate, even though the food
eaten on a daily basis by the less fortunate
classes would have been quite different.

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2016 Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism
‘Cuisine is                               A region and landscape
                                          as diverse as its culinary
                                                                                          A wealth of cuisines

landscape
                                                                                          Chefs from all over Catalonia invite you to
                                          traditions                                      enjoy a great meal in establishments of
                                                                                          every style.

in a pot’                                 Catalonia is a region of around 32,000 km2,
                                          approximately the size of Belgium. Locat-       The creativity of our best-known chefs,
                                                                                          sometimes pushing the boundaries of the
                                          ed in the north east of the Iberian penin-
                                          sula, its landscape is highly varied thanks     avant-garde, have put Catalonia and its
(quote attributed to Josep Pla, writer)
                                          to a wide range of geological factors. The      cuisine at the forefront of the international
                                          north of the region is dominated by the         scene, attracting visitors from around the
                                          imposing Pyrenees, with peaks of up to          world with the sole purpose of getting to
                                          3,000 metres, and with one valley, the Val      know it.
                                          d'Aran, whose rivers flow to the Atlantic       Our restaurants have headed the Res-
                                          and which has its own culture, language         taurant Magazine list of the world's best
                                          (Aranese) and political institutions.           restaurants in more years than any other
                                          We are bordered to the east by the Medi­        country's: El Bulli for five years and El
                                          terranean, which has brought us into            Celler de Can Roca for two years. Our
                                          contact with many other cultures over the       great chefs, led by Ferran Adrià, are the
                                          years, contributing to the development of       stars of a revolution that changed culinary
                                          our own. We are a Mediterranean nation.         ideas around the world in the last years of
                                          Each of our coastal regions, the Costa          the 20th century, with hitherto unthought
                                          Brava, the Costa de Barcelona (from El          of concepts and techniques.
                                          Maresme in the north to El Garraf, south
                                          of the capital), the Costa Daurada and,
                                          further south, the Ebro delta, has its own      Today we have a whole series
                                          strong personality reflected in its food.       of ‘food ambassadors’.
                                          Catalonia's geography also influences its       In addition to Ferran Adrià,
                                          culinary culture: traditional and innovative,   the Catalan chefs acclaimed
                                          rich in quality local products from the sea     by international critics and
                                          and the land.                                   food guides include Carme
                                          The landscape is the raw material of the        Ruscalleda, Joan Roca, Albert
                                          tourism industry. From the Pyrenees to          Adrià, Paco Pérez, Oriol Castro,
                                          the coast, from north to south, from dry to     Eduard Xatruch, Nandu Jubany,
                                          irrigated crops, from the high mountains        Carles Gaig, Ramon Freixa,
                                          to the sea, we have a unique range of           Jordi Cruz, and Sergio and
                                          possibilities.
                                                                                          Javier Torres.
                                          We have a common culinary identity, but
                                          each area has its own defining features,
                                          determined by its climate, geography,
                                          history, local products and economic
                                          activities.

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In Catalonia there are 50 restaurants
with 60 Michelin stars between them

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The promoters of the Cuina Catalana Brand
     have launched a campaign to have Catalan
       cuisine included on UNESCO's Intangible
              Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

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In Catalonia we have worked for years           seal. Every day more restaurateurs choose     There are over 25 cuisine groups throughout
to develop a tight-knit network of              to use ingredients produced locally and in    Catalonia, groups of chefs or restaurateurs and,
partnerships between farmers, fishermen,        optimum conditions.                           in some cases, agri-food producers. whose
                                                                                              cuisine is based on local produce and customs.
wine-growers, markets and shops,
                                                For visitors who want to combine the
artisans and food manufacturers and
                                                pleasures of the table with relaxation,       Live and eat without rushing. The slow food
finally, restaurants, bars, cafés and eating
                                                there are over 40 hotels throughout           movement, founded by Carlo Petrini to counter
establishments.
                                                Catalonia specialising in Catalan cuisine     the fast food trend, is a worldwide initiative
There are cuisine groups throughout             and local produce which bear the Catalan      aimed at protecting diversity in products and
                                                                                              flavours, encouraging respect for the rhythm of
Catalonia. These are groups of chefs            Gourmet Hotels seal. Tasting these
                                                                                              the seasons and caring for the environment.
dedicated to promoting a particular region      ingredients in the place they come from
and its cuisine. Each of these regions has      allows us to discover our roots through
one or more flagship products and dishes        our food. In these hotels, relaxation is      Food prepared with quality local ingredients,
                                                                                              typical of the region, with protected
which frequently feature them. Chefs            as important as the desire to produce
                                                                                              designation of origin (PDO) or protected
may highlight a dish from the traditional       excellent food, with traditional dishes
                                                                                              geographical indication (PGI).
repertoire or give a demonstration of           updated to reflect each chef's own style.
developments in culinary techniques.
                                                This seal of approval is awarded to family-   Don't forget the bars and restaurants that offer
Fairs, campaigns, festivals and markets
                                                run hotels with a warm personal style,        snacks and tapas, a fun, informal and original
are held in Catalonia throughout the
                                                ranging from five-star hotels to charming     way to dine. And don't miss an opportunity to
year where these groups showcase their
                                                guest houses (with a maximum of 60            sample the widespread custom of sipping an
strengths, allowing visitors to learn and                                                     aperitif on a bar terrace, or to try a traditional
                                                rooms and 120 beds).
enjoy themselves.                                                                             vermouth, usually taken before lunch.
                                                Finally, there are the inns known as cases
Meanwhile, the Institut Català de la Cuina
                                                fonda, which provide accommodation and
has awarded its Cuina Catalana seal to
                                                food throughout Catalonia's tourist areas,
around 170 restaurants whose menus
                                                offering meals with a more traditional
feature traditional dishes listed in the
                                                flavour and close links with the local
Corpus of Catalan Culinary Heritage. This
                                                natural environment and culture.
exhaustive work, with over 1,200 entries,
is the fruit of years of fieldwork throughout   We must also recognise the efforts of the
Catalonia by researchers, chefs and             restaurateurs guilds to improve the quality
anonymous contributors. The use of              of Catalonia's restaurants and inns.
local products is also taken into account
                                                It would not be possible to promote our
when the Cuina Catalana seal is awarded,
                                                quality products without the efforts of all
with the aim of ensuring this heritage is
                                                our Michelin-starred restaurateurs, cuisine
preserved for the future.
                                                groups, slow food establishments and
Good, healthy and fair. The Catalan             those awarded the Cuina Catalana and
restaurants that subscribe to the slow          Gourmet Hotel seals of approval, and
food philosophy believe in combining            those of all the professionals who strive
the enjoyment of food with responsibility,      daily to ensure our ever-more demanding
sustainability and being in tune with           visitors are not disappointed.
the environment. The slow food
movement gives the ‘km 0’ seal of
approval to establishments that use fine,
local sustainable products. But their
commitment goes beyond obtaining this

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Protected designation of origin (PDO)           A basketful of products                         The excellent cheeses from the
                                                                                                Pyrenees, L’Alt Urgell and La Cerdanya,
Ebro delta rice                                 A pantry that varies with the seasons. The      reflect this traditional method for
Oil from El Baix Ebre-Montsià
                                                countryside is an ever changing calendar.       conserving milk, conjuring up the scent of
Oil from La Terra Alta
                                                Visitors can see this for themselves in         the mountain pastures where the Friesian
Oil from Siurana
Reus hazelnuts                                  any of the permanent or weekly markets          cows graze. Our livestock farmers give
Oil from Les Garrigues                          held in towns and villages throughout           us chicken and the capon of El Prat,
Lleida pears                                    Catalonia.                                      llonganissa cured sausage from Vic and
Butter from L'Alt Urgell and La Cerdanya                                                        veal from the Pyrenees, top-quality meat
                                                We have many products whose quality
Cheese from L'Alt Urgell and La Cerdanya                                                        that can be accompanied by the region's
Ganxet beans                                    and unique personality have been
                                                                                                many varieties of mushroom, or by snails,
Oil from L'Empordà                              recognised with the official European
                                                                                                two exquisite-tasting traditional products.
Santa Pau beans                                 protected designation of origin (PDO) or
                                                protected geographical indication (PGI)         For our liquid gold, extra virgin olive
Protected geographical indication (PGI)         certifications. Both certifications are given   oil, we have five regions with protected
                                                to typical products originating in a region     designation of origin (PDO) certification,
Clementines from Les Terres de l’Ebre
                                                which gives them a specific character and       each with a different climate. Although
Potatoes from Prades
                                                unmistakeable flavour.                          the arbequina olive, mainly grown in the
Valls calçots (variety of spring onion)
Agramunt nougat (traditional Christmas sweet)                                                   Siurana and Les Garrigues areas, is the
                                                The wetlands at the mouth of the great
Veal from the Catalan Pyrenees                                                                  most famous, all are equally fine.
                                                southern river, the Ebro, are the source
Catalan rustic bread (Pa de pagès)
                                                of the top-quality Ebro delta rice. In this
Llonganissa (cured sausage) from Vic
Chicken and capon from El Prat                  uniquely beautiful natural environment          Products to savour
Girona apples                                   you can enjoy rice dishes such as paella,       in every season
                                                rossejat and arròs a banda, dishes which
                                                can be prepared in a thousand different         Our basket is full to overflowing all year
                                                ways.                                           round. Apart from products with the EU
                                                                                                DOP and IGP certifications, we have many
                                                The Camp de Tarragona region is home            others that are both unique and delicious.
                                                to the Valls calçot, a barbecued onion          In spring the pantry bursts with the colour
                                                eaten with great gusto by all who try           of peas and strawberries. When the cold
                                                it. Potatoes from Prades and the                passes, snails appear, which we stew or
                                                beans known as mongetes (or fesol)              roast, and mussels. Sardines and other
                                                del ganxet are a meal in themselves             oily fish fatten in this season: it is the
                                                or a delicious side-dish. Fruit orchards        time to eat them grilled. The summer sun
                                                also play an important role in Catalan          brings sweet fruit and the finest market
                                                cuisine, both in desserts and as an             garden produce, with tomatoes, peppers,
                                                accompaniment to traditional tasty roast        aubergines and green beans. Autumn
                                                meats. Pears from Lleida, apples                is the time of olives and oil, chestnuts
                                                from Girona and the sweet, vitamin-rich         and many varieties of mushroom. Winter
                                                clementines of Les Terres de l’Ebre             means calçots and curly endive, the
                                                that fill the countryside of the south with     base for xató, a winter salad found in the
                                                aroma and colour; hazelnuts from Reus           regions south of Barcelona.
                                                are ideal for making the paste known as
                                                picada, for delicate desserts or as the
                                                main ingredient, together with almonds, of
                                                Agramunt nougat.

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The gastronomic                               monds), arbequina olive oil (DOP Siurana),    A plate of xató
                                              romesco peppers, tomatoes, garlic and, if
landscape                                     the sauce is for dipping, vinegar.
The range of fish dishes found in Catalonia   The traditional pastries of Les Terres de
is extraordinary: visitors to any quayside    l’Ebre retain a Moorish character which
along the coast will be able to see the       has been little influenced by modern
wealth of our seas. Restaurants on the        culinary trends. A wide range of pastries,
Costa Brava serve suquets, casseroles         unique to this region, can be found in its
of the finest rock fish, and renowned surf    cake shops, bakeries and homes.
‘n’ turf dishes combining fish and seafood
with all types of meat in a stew containing   Inland we find market gardens, dry farming
the Catalan staples of sofregit and picada.   areas, mountainous and volcanic regions,
These dishes vary widely according to         high plains and sierras, such as that of El
the fish selected by the chef and the         Port, in the south, or Montseny, with the     Pastries from Les Terres de l’Ebre.
complexity of the other ingredients. They     highest peaks of the coastal sierras, and
are cooked, as they have always been,         the magical, majestic Montserrat, our most
in an earthenware or cast iron dish,          spiritual mountain. Catalonia is a country
or in accordance with the canons of           of forests, and that means mushrooms.
nouvelle cuisine. They may include exotic     Mushroom collecting is a national hobby.
ingredients, such as sweet sausages or        At all times of year, but most especially
chocolate in the picada, but they form        autumn, we can find delicious mushroom
part of our oldest and most established       dishes throughout Catalonia, particularly
traditions.                                   in inland regions. The range of mushroom
Further south, in El Maresme region, we       recipes is extensive, they are stewed,
find stuffed fruit, such as peaches and       served with eggs, or simply grilled, and
apples, and cuttlefish with peas, to name     are an excellent accompaniment for all
just two of the area's traditional dishes.    kinds of meat and, in autumn and winter,
Superb fish are landed in the towns and       game. They are unbeatable paired with
villages of this coast, which combine         botifarra, our fine pork sausages.
sublimely with the fruit and vegetables       Deep inland, the cassola de tros (a pork
                                                                                            Fish suquet.
from the fertile fields nearby, such as the   casserole) and coca de recapte (flatbread
exquisite Maresme peas.                       with various toppings) of the Ponent
The areas south of Barcelona, El Garraf       region are delicious dishes typically made
coast and, especially, the Costa Daurada,     with the ingredients at hand.
are famous for their distinctive romesco      Products from two inland mountain re-
sauces. Fish (and meat) casseroles, are       gions are especially noteworthy: black
cooked with romesco to thicken them, or       peas (stewed or fried) and escudella
it can be served as a sauce to accompany      de blat de moro escairat (a meat and
calçots or curly endive in a xató salad.      corn casserole) from El Berguedà in the
There are also many variants of romesco       pre-Pyrenees, and a range of distinctive
sauce depending on how it is used and         crops from the volcanic Garrotxa region,
who makes it. But the secret is always to     such as the potatoes of La Vall d'En Bas,
make it with the finest local ingredients:    beans from Santa Pau (DOP), buckwheat
the best hazelnuts (or sometimes al-          and corn.

16                                                                                                                                C ata l o n i a
We Catalans are creative. With just a humble mortar
              and wooden pestle we grind and combine the
            ingredients that give our traditional dishes their
             flavour and texture. The mortar is also used to
           combine oil and garlic to make one of our staple
                                          condiments, allioli.

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Gastronomic experiences                        Markets                                         gold. They also organise all kinds of activi-
                                                                                               ties for visitors to learn to smell oil, taste it
Catalan gastronomy can be enjoyed in           Markets tell us about the character of a        and differentiate all its nuances.
many ways, delighting the senses before        place and its people. Take a stroll round
                                                                                               Production techniques have evolved
and after a good meal. Take a look at          the stalls, buy a few items and chat
                                                                                               over the years, but in Catalonia you can
the stalls in one of our markets; enjoy a      to the stallholders to learn about Catalan
                                                                                               travel back in time to find out how oil
day’s fishing with the professionals; learn    gastronomy from the experts.
                                                                                               was produced centuries ago. There are
to cook traditional dishes; visit artisan
                                               In Catalonia there is an important network      more than 40 oil mills you can visit, where
makers of cheeses and cured meats or oil
                                               of municipal markets offering fresh locally     you can learn about early techniques for
mills; get to know wine cellars from inside,
                                               produced foodstuffs and many towns and          producing oil. And if you want to know
visit museums, or specialised exhibition
                                               villages hold weekly or monthly markets         what the landscape of olive trees looked
and research centres – all of these options
                                               for farmers and artisan producers to sell       like centuries ago, you'll find a gem in
are available to those who wish to enjoy
                                               their wares.                                    Ulldecona: the largest concentration of
gastronomic tourism in Catalonia.
                                                                                               thousand-year-old olive trees in the world.
                                               Fishing tourism
                                                                                               Museums
                                               Fishing tourism allows you to spend a
                                               day with professional fishermen, enjoy a        Museums are a showcase for our culture,
                                               fish meal with the crew and experience          and our gastronomy. You can learn more
                                               the whole fishing process: from sailing,        about the history, traditions and customs
                                               casting the net and bringing it in to sorting   related to wine and food by visiting
                                               the catch and unloading it.                     cultural facilities such as the Vinseum
                                                                                               wine museum in Vilafranca del Penedès,
                                               Learn to cook                                   the Fishing Museum in Palamós, and the
                                                                                               Chocolate Museum in Barcelona. Other
                                               Many restaurants and cookery schools in         centres include the Museum of Rural Life
                                               Catalonia offer courses and workshops           in L'Espluga de Francolí, on the Cistercian
                                               at different levels to teach you how to         route, which takes in the wineries known
                                               prepare typical dishes. They also organise      as ‘wine cathedrals’.
                                               visits to markets to buy ingredients and
                                               offer cookery demonstrations and pairing        The Alícia Foundation is a centre focusing
                                               sessions with Catalan wines.                    on research applied to the gastronomy
                                                                                               of excellence. This leading institution
                                                                                               works to raise awareness of the cultural
                                               Olive oil tourism                               and educational importance of food,
                                               In Catalonia, more and more people              providing workshops, organising regional
                                               are attracted to oil tourism, a way to          development projects and carrying out
                                               immerse yourself in Catalan culture             studies of ways to make people eat better.
                                               via one of the key elements in the              The Foundation is located in the Món Sant
                                               Mediterranean diet.                             Benet tourist centre and has the support
                                                                                               of top international chef Ferran Adrià.
                                               There are about a hundred producers
                                               around the country, many of whom open
                                               the doors of their production facilities so
                                               that you can learn the secrets of this liquid

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Wine Tourism
 in Catalonia

20              C ata l o n i a
‘Follow us to grottos where barrels and bottles lie sleeping:
          we call them cellers or caves. Learn how grape juice is turned into wine.
            How it matures. Then taste it and you be the judge. As you learn how
               important the land and the vagaries of the climate are for the wine,
           you will understand better the person who makes it, who may even be
                                          the same person who shows you round’.
                                                                            Xavier Espasa,
                                                      Director of the Catalan Tourist Board

Vineyards cover extensive areas of our land, from north to south.
Grapes are adaptable and can be grown on the harshest terrain.
In Catalonia there are beautiful vineyards by the sea, on the steepest
slopes of the Costa Brava, and on the hillsides of El Priorat,
inaccessible to machines and where harvesting is still done by
hand. From the Pyrenees to the ports of Tortosa and Beseit, vines
thrive on an enormous range of different terrains. We can also be
proud of our wine. Wines from our 12 denominations of origin are
recognised as being among the best in the world, as is our cava.
Over the years, people in the world of wine have overcome many
difficulties. In the late 19th century, viticulture suffered the worst
crisis imaginable, the phylloxera plague.
Wine producers had to reinvent themselves: cava was born.

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DO Alella                                        DO Conca de Barberà
The culture of wine                            The DO closest to Barcelona                      Art nouveau wineries
                                               Just outside Barcelona, between the              A region with personality that combines
Remains found at the Font de la Canya          coast, with its 50 km of beach, and the          heritage, culture and wine. This DO is on
prehistoric site in Avinyonet del Penedès      coastal hills, excellent white wines are         the Cistercian route, with the monastery
include grape seeds, showing that wine         made with the Xarel.lo variety. The area’s       of Poblet, a UNESCO world heritage site,
was already being produced at this Iberian     wine-making history is explained in Cella        art nouveau wine cellars and the medieval
settlement in the 7th century BC as a          Vinaria Archaeological Park, with the            town of Montblanc. The best known wines
result of contact with the Phoenicians.        remains of a Roman winery.                       are those made from the local trepat
                                                                                                variety.
                                               DO Alella wine tourism
                                               DO Alella covers seven municipalities            www.doconcadebarbera.com
Wine and cava                                  in El Vallès Oriental, eight municipalities in

denominations                                  El Maresme and the DO Alella regulatory
                                               council.                                         DO Costers del Segre
of origin                                      www.doalella.cat
                                               www.doalella.org                                 From the plain of Lleida to the
Tourism companies and agri-food                                                                 Pyrenees
producers work together to offer activities                                                     The vineyards in this extensive DO stretch
related to the world of wine to show                                                            from the plain of Lleida to the vineyards
how each terroir expresses itself and          DO Catalunya
                                                                                                in the Pallars mountains. The wine route,
provide a complete experience in terms of      All kinds of landscape in one DO                 the DOP Les Garrigues oil route, and
gastronomy, culture and landscape.             The DO stretches from the Mediterranean          the Cistercian route with Vallbona de les
Catalonia certifies the quality of its wines   to the Pyrenees, with 50,000 hectares of         Monges monastery are of special interest.
and organises its offer according to twelve    vineyards and about 200 wineries. This
                                                                                                Lleida wine route
denominations of origin:                       extensive area includes a great variety of
                                                                                                www.rutadelvidelleida.com
                                               landscapes and wineries, portraying the
                                                                                                www.costersdelsegre.es
                                               culture of wine in Catalonia.

                                               www.do-catalunya.com
                                                                                                DO Empordà
                                               DO Cava                                          Tramuntana wines
                                                                                                An area of great beauty, with the
                                               Festive bubbles                                  spectacular coastline of the Costa Brava,
                                               Cava is a sparkling wine made mainly from        often battered by the tramuntana winds,
                                               Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada grapes,          which mark both the people and the local
                                               following the méthode champenoise.               wines. It has a great medieval heritage,
                                               The DO Cava area is home to small                with old fishing villages like Cadaqués and
                                               artisan wineries and leading international       Calella de Palafrugell, and is home to the
                                               producers. Sant Sadurní d'Anoia is the           Salvador Dalí Museum and his houses.
                                               capital of cava.
                                                                                                The DO Emporda wine route
                                               www.crcava.es                                    www.rutadelvidoemporda.org
                                                                                                www.doemporda.cat

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24   C ata l o n i a
DO Montsant                                                                                    DO Tarragona
The wines of the Montsant mountains             DO Pla de Bages                                The ancient tradition of Roman wines

Agricultural cooperatives live side by side                                                    Wine was already being produced here in
                                                Dry stone vats in the Montserrat area
with family-run wineries in the harsh Serra                                                    Roman times thanks to the mild climate
del Montsant landscape. This area of            A land of contrasts overshadowed by the        and the proximity of the sea. Wines are
contrasting climates is best known for red      mountain of Montserrat. The dry stone vat      still produced today in an area of great
wines made from Grenache and Carignan           route, a legacy of the area’s wine-making      interest for culture, entertainment (Port
grapes. Highlights include the magnificent      past, the medieval castle of Cardona, and      Aventura) and history, with Roman Tarra-
panoramic view from Siurana.                    the Món Sant Benet complex, an oasis of        co, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the
                                                peace combining art with the monastery,        Centre Gaudí in Reus and the beaches on
www.turismepriorat.org
                                                tourist facilities and the Alícia Foundation   the Costa Daurada.
www.prioratenoturisme.com
                                                research centre, are of special interest.
www.domontsant.com                                                                             www.dotarragona.cat
                                                The best-known wines are those made
                                                from the local Picapoll variety.

                                                www.dopladebages.com
DO Penedès                                                                                     DO Terra Alta
Our largest wine producing area                                                                The land of the white Grenache
Our most productive DO is located near          DOQ Priorat                                    With a history rooted in an ancient wine-
Barcelona, an area through which the Via                                                       making tradition, this land produces 90%
                                                The international prestige
Augusta passed, stretching from the beaches                                                    of the country's white Grenache. The
                                                of Catalan wines
of Sitges to the pre-coastal mountains,                                                        lands of this DO have a surprisingly low
across a sea of vineyards. Varied landscapes,   The only Catalan DOQ (Qualified Desig-         population density and virtually unspoilt
microclimates and soil, where we find Xarel.    nation of Origin) region is full of steep      countryside, including the impressive
lo, the DO’s iconic variety, together with      slopes with slate in the soil, which shows     Els Ports Natural Park. Culturally, the art
other white grapes, such as Macabeo             how tenacious the vines are. The slate soil    nouveau wineries of Pinell de Brai and
and Chardonnay, and black varieties, like       produces internationally renowned wines        Gandesa, the Picasso Centre in Horta de
Grenache. Formerly on the boundary              with deep spiritual associations. The Char-    Sant Joan and the Green Way cycle route
between Christian and Muslim territory, this    terhouse of Escaladei, birthplace of Priorat   are of special interest.
is the place to discover wine and cava from     wines, is an outstanding example.
large and small wineries, and enjoy Catalan                                                    www.doterraalta.com
                                                www.turismepriorat.org
traditions such as our human towers.
                                                www.prioratenoturisme.com
Enoturisme Penedès                              www.doqpriorat.org

Enoturisme Penedès brings together public
and private initiatives for the promotion of
wine culture and wine tourism in the DO
Penedès area. Currently 176 establish-
ments belong to the scheme: 75 wineries,
30 restaurants and 46 places providing
accommodation, museums, wine bars,
shops, service companies and tourist infor-
mation offices.

www.enoturismepenedes.cat
www.dopenedes.cat

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Over 300 wineries                               The wine
to visit                                        cathedrals
Great wineries known around the world, small    Founded as cooperatives to make wine
family-run wineries, 100-year old farmhouses,   and oil production more viable, the ‘wine
art nouveau wine cathedrals, stone huts and     cathedrals’ are majestic buildings designed
vats in the middle of vineyards, the most       by art nouveau architects such as Cèsar
modern architecture...                          Martinell (responsible for the majority), Puig
Catalonia has over 700 wineries, over 300 of    i Cadafalch (architect of Barcelona's Casa
them offering organised tours.                  Amatller and the Casa de les Punxes) and
                                                Pere Domènech, son of Lluís Domènech
                                                i Montaner, the creator of the Palau de la
                                                Música in Barcelona. These ‘temples’ form
                                                part of our unique heritage.

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Showcasing
 Food and
 Wine Tourism

28              C ata l o n i a
Calendar of food and wine fairs and festivals

Barcelona                                   Costa Daurada                            Pirineus
1. Barcelona Beer Festival                  11. Gran Festa de la Calçotada           19. Sant Ermengol Fair in Seu d’Urgell
Craft beers (Barcelona)                     Valls calçots (PGI) (Valls)              Craft cheeses
— March                                     — January                                — October

2. Mostra de Vins i Caves                   12. Galerada Popular at the Port         20. Jornades Gastronòmiques del
Catalan wines and cavas (Barcelona)         of Cambrils                              Bolet (Gastronomic workshops)
— September                                 Galeres (mantis shrimp)                  Mushrooms (Alta Ribagorça)
                                            — February                               — October
3. Mercat de Mercats
Wines, cavas and other products             13. Priorat Wine Fair
(Barcelona)                                 DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant wines
— October                                   (Falset)                                 Terres de l’Ebre
                                            — May
                                                                                     21. Rice Planting Festival
                                            14. DO Tarragona Wine Fair               Rice (Amposta, Deltebre, l’Ampolla and Sant
Costa Barcelona                             DO Tarragona wine (Tarragona)            Jaume d’Enveja)
                                            — June                                   — June
4. Temps de Vi
DO Catalunya and DO Penedès wines           15. Harvest Festival                     22. Harvest Festival
(Vilanova i la Geltrú)                      DO Conca de Barberà wines                Rice (Amposta, Deltebre, l’Ampolla and Sant
— June                                      (l’Espluga de Francolí)                  Jaume d’Enveja)
                                            — September                              — September
5. Vijazz
DO Penedès wines (Vilafranca del Penedès)   16. DOP Siurana Oil - New Oil Festival   23. Gandesa Wine Festival
— July                                      DOP Siurana oils (Reus)                  DO Terra Alta wines
                                            — November                               — October or November
6. Alella Harvest Festival
DO Alella wines (Alella)
— September
                                            Paisatges de Barcelona                   Terres de Lleida
7. Cavatast
DO Cava (Sant Sadurní d’Anoia)              17. Mercat del Ram i Lactium             24. Les Garrigues Extra Virgin Olive
— October                                   (Cheese Fair)                            Oil Fair
                                            Agricultural products and cheese (Vic)   DO Les Garrigues oils (Les Borges Blanques)
                                            — March or April                         — January

Costa Brava                                 18. Bages Harvest Festival               25. Snail festival
                                            DO Pla del Bages wines (Artés)           Snails (Lleida)
8. VÍVID Wine Festival                                                               — May
                                            — October
DO Empordà (Costa Brava)
— April                                                                              26. Lleida Wine Fair
                                                                                     DO Costers del Segre wines (Lleida)
9. Mostra del Vi de l’Empordà                                                        — October
DO Empordà wines (Figueres)
— September

10. Orígens Fair
Quality produce (Olot)
— November

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Year of
 Gastronomy
 and Wine
 Tourism

30            C ata l o n i a
To unlock the potential of gastronomy and wine tourism, the Catalan
Tourist Board (ACT) will organise a series of promotional activities
as part of the Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism, as it did in
2015 with the Year of Inland and Mountain Tourism and in 2014 with
Family Holidays Year. This year, the ACT will focus its advertising
efforts on gastronomy and wine tourism with the following aims:

   — To reinforce the part played by gastronomy in Catalan identity.
   — To position Catalonia as a leading wine and gastronomy
      destination in the international market.
   — To inform the Catalan public about the wide variety and quality
      of wine and food tourism in Catalonia.

The ACT will be organising over 150 activities with a budget of over
2 million euros, the largest yet for a tourism-themed year.
The priority markets will be: France, the United Kingdom, Germany
and Spain, followed by Benelux, Scandinavia, Italy and the USA, and
finally Southeast Asia, South America, China and Russia.

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Action plan
and targets
— Highlights

Catalan Wines USA in                              network of 14 clubs has 2,500 members.        Welcome to the Countryside
                                                  The ACT will give a presentation on
Washington DC and Denver                          food and wine in Catalonia assisted by
                                                                                                — June 2016
— February and May 2016                           a Catalan chef. After the presentation        A weekend of open-farm events organised
Two presentations on Catalonia as a food          attendees will taste Catalan wines which      by the Government of Catalonia in
and wine tourism destination given in             will be presented by their producers. The     partnership with the Alícia Foundation. An
Washington DC and Denver in partnership           target audience is members of the Club        opportunity for the public to meet farmers,
with ACCIÓ and its programme to                   and journalists.                              who will show them round their farms,
promote Catalan wines.                                                                          offer tastings and sell their produce. Local
                                                                                                hotels and restaurants will also be offering
                                                  Campaign for the Som                          special deals and menus for the event.
International Wine Tourism                        Gastronomia (We are
Conference                                        Gastronomy) menu                              Wine Tourism Awards
— April 2016                                      — April 2016 - April 2017                     — June 2016
Two days of discussion and reflection             A campaign directed at Catalan                Second year of the Wine Tourism Awards.
on wine tourism around the world and              restaurants and hotels motivating them        These awards are presented for the
how to adapt supply to meet changing              to offer a menu option that meets the         best wine tourism initiatives launched in
demands. The event includes a conference          challenge set by the European Region          Catalonia and are intended to encourage
and a trade exhibition. Around 60 tourism         of Gastronomy (local produce with a           businesses to focus on the quality,
operators and some 20 representatives of          seasonally adapted menu based on              sustainability and specialist nature of their
the press are expected to attend. The ACT
                                                  regional cuisine).                            products and motivate them to continually
will organise familiarisation trips to give the
                                                                                                improve and innovate.
participants the opportunity to learn about
wine tourism opportunities in Catalonia.          Mercat d’Escapades
                                                  — May 2016                                    Dinner with the Stars
Presentation of Catalan                           A market showcasing getaways to               — September 2016
                                                  Catalonia's inland and natural beauty         To mark World Tourism Day in Catalonia,
gastronomy to the Culinary
                                                  spots, with the focus on wine and             the Catalan Tourist Board will organise an
Institute of America                              food tourism. The market, located in          event which gathers together over 600
— April 2016                                      Barcelona's Passeig de Lluís Companys,        professionals from the Catalan tourist
Presentation in Napa Valley within the            gives the tourism sector an opportunity       industry and key international figures invited
framework of the ‘Worlds of Flavor’               to sell gastronomy and wine experiences       to the workshop Buy Catalunya. The event
conference organised by the Culinary              direct to the public. There will also be      will pay tribute to the chefs who are the
Institute of America. In partnership with         promotional activities such as workshops,     stars of Catalan gastronomy, and will be
ACCIÓ.                                            experiences and tasting sessions.             widely attended by professional members
                                                                                                of cookery collectives, Cuina Catalana
Wine & Business Club in Paris                     Article in Traveler                           and from the Slow Food movement. Also
                                                                                                attending will be a large number of well-
— April 2016                                      — May 2016 (Spain), October 2016
                                                                                                known, two and three Michelin-starred,
With the support of the Paris ACCIÓ               (London and Netherlands)
                                                                                                chefs who will be preparing a cocktail for
office. The Wine & Business Club is               Article entitled ‘Catalonia for foodies’ in   those attending. Candidates for the Tourism
Europe’s leading network for company              Traveler Pocket magazine on Catalonia         Awards of Catalonia 2016 will also be
directors and professionals from a                as a food tourism destination, based on       present. The aim of this event is to put a
range of sectors involved in three areas:         a selection of gastronomic routes around      spotlight on gastronomy and tourism, one
economy, gastronomy and wine. The                 the region.                                   of our economy’s most important industries.

32                                                                                                                                C ata l o n i a
Wine and Cava Show                             Intersector workshop at the                  ‘Catalonia is your pantry’
— September 2016                               forthcoming Gastronomy                       The Catalan Tourist Board will have
The Catalan Tourist Board will have a stand    Forum                                        a stand dedicated to wine and food
to promote wine and food tourism.                                                           tourism at the Mercat de Mercats,
                                               — October 2016
                                                                                            Tasta la Rambla, FITUR, WTM, ITB
                                               Workshop for the wine and food tourism       and B-Travel trade fairs.
De la terra a la lluna                         industry in Catalonia (restaurants,
(From Earth to the Moon).                      hotels, travel agents, tourism promotion
                                                                                            Gastronomy Plan
Exhibition on the restaurant                   bodies, wineries, etc.) to encourage the
                                               development of new products.                 The aims of the Gastronomy Plan are
El Celler de Can Roca at the
                                                                                            to set out a global, transversal vision,
Palau Robert in Barcelona                      MasterChef                                   define the strategic lines and actions
— September 2016 - April 2017                                                               needed to consolidate and strengthen
                                               — 2016 Season
The Sub-directorate General for                                                             the sector over the coming years and
                                               Our participation in the most-watched
Communication of the Ministry of the                                                        establish a framework of measurable
                                               culinary programme on Spanish television
Presidency will organise the exhibition                                                     indicators on and for the sector. This Plan
                                               is an opportunity to promote Catalan
De la terra a la lluna, bringing together                                                   will be drawn up with the help of experts
                                               gastronomy to our nearest market.
the 30 years of history of El Celler de                                                     on the sector and will be discussed at
Can Roca which can be seen from 26                                                          working sessions attended by industry
September 2016 to 30 April 2017 at the
                                               Benchmarking trip to                         professionals throughout the year, looking
Palau Robert in Barcelona. The show will       Lombardy                                     at gastronomy from the following points
be curated by Toni Massanés, Director          — April 2017                                 of view: the economy, heritage, tourism,
of the Alícia Foundation, and is intended                                                   sustainability, health, training, innovation,
                                               Knowledge transfer exchange between
to tour internationally after its run in                                                    communication and internationalisation.
                                               Catalonia and Lombardy, 2017 European
Barcelona. The show is organised in                                                         The conclusions will be presented in
                                               Region of Gastronomy, with the aim of
partnership with ACT, the Catalan Tourist                                                   October at the Gastronomic Forum in
                                               learning about best practice in other
Board.                                                                                      Barcelona.
                                               destinations.

Buy Catalunya 2016                             Catalunya #SomGastronomia                    Thematic publicity campaign
— October 2016
                                               Tour 2016                                    in France, the United Kingdom
The year’s biggest promotional event, with
                                               Trade tour to promote wine and food
                                                                                            and Spain
gastronomy and wine tourism playing a
                                               tourism in these priority markets: France,
major role this year. The event will bring
                                               United Kingdom, Spain, Germany,              Familiarisation and press trips
together Catalan tourism businesses and
international tour operators who specialise
                                               Sweden and Italy. The tour includes          to Singapore, Australia, Korea,
                                               an interactive presentation on wine
in this field. Over 2,000 sales meetings are
                                               and gastronomy tourism in Catalonia
                                                                                            China and the Far East
expected to take place.
                                               followed by a showcooking demonstration
                                               and concluding with a tasting session
                                               of Catalan produce and wines. The
                                               attendees will be key players in each of
                                               these markets (travel agents, opinion
                                               leaders and the press).

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Participation                    All of them are committed to promoting this
of the Catalan                   Year of Gastronomy and Wine Tourism, sharing
                                 the conviction expressed by Ferran Agulló in
tourism sector                   the preface to his book on Catalan cuisine:
— Members of the ACT             ‘Just as Catalonia
(tourist boards)
                                 has a language,
— More than 350 businesses
and bodies are affiliated to     laws, customs,
Catalonia, European Region       its own history
of Gastronomy, including:
                                 and political ideals,
— Cuisine groups
— Gourmet hotels                 it also has its own cuisine.
— Cookery schools
— ‘km 0’ slow food
— Michelin-starred restaurants
                                 There are regions,
— The Institut Català de        nations and peoples
   la Cuina and the Cuina
   Catalana Brand
                                 that have a special,
— Wineries and the wine         characteristic dish,
   tourism round table
— Activity brokerage agencies
                                 but not their own cuisine.
— Producers
— Universities and research     Catalonia does.’
   centres

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We invite you all to join us
on the great adventure
of Gastronomy and Wine
Tourism Year 2016.

2 016                          35
www.somgastronomia.cat
                  www.catalunya.com/wearegastronomy

                  #SomGastronomia
DL: B 9208-2016

            36                                        C ata l o n i a
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