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Priorat Wine Region – the best places to visit on a Priorat wine tour

While on a wine tour in Spain, the beautiful Priorat wine region is a must of any serious wine lover! The Priorat red wines are world famous for their unique personality, attributed to the extreme climate and unique and breathtaking geography. Priorat experiences sharp temperature fluctuations between night and day, caused by the proximity of the Montsant mountain range. These spectacular mountains help create mist and moisture in the vineyard valleys, which dissipate to leave warm grape-ripening sun during the days. This slate-soiled land is full of majestic cliffs and steep hillsides where terraces have to be built in order to grow further vineyards.

The name, Priorat has been linked to wine since ancient times. A great place to start any Priorat wine tour is the birthplace of the Priorat wine,  the Carthusian Priory (or Priorat) of Scala Dei, the first carthusian monastery on the Iberian Peninsula, founded in the 12th century. This picturesque site, situated at the foot of the Montsant mountain range, is where the Priorat wine making tradition originated. The monastery thrived until 1835, when the church shut the operations down. Today the ruins of Scala Dei can still be explored on foot, the immensity of the Montsant range truly apparent.

 

The ruins of the Carthusian Monastery of Scala Dei

 

With the sale of Scala Dei’s lands and vineyards and the phylloxera outbreak at the turn of the century,  the Priorat wine region went through economically hard times up until the wine-making revival of the 1980s.

One of the families whom we can thank for the revival of Priorat wine making is the Barbier-Meyer. Rene Barbier bought his first vines in Priorat in 1979, after many years of experience in Bordeaux and Borgogne. Returning to the area close to his birthplace of Tarragona, he and his family have grown up amongst the vineyards, loving the terroir and tending carefully to the earth which creates these incredible wines. His emblematic winery, Clos Mogador, is named after the single vineyard that Rene started to cultivate in the 1970’s in the now-famous wine village of Gratallops, heart of the Priorat wine making activity. Robert Parker was one of the first international critics to praise his incredible wines, which are nearly elixirs. The Priorat wines in general are already highly concentrated and “normal” yields are incredibly small, but Rene goes even further – at Clos Mogador winery they press the grapes using an olive press, which means they extract only half of the amount of juice that a typical wine press would, making the wine 50% more concentrated!

His wall by wall wine cellar neighbour, Carles Pastrana, is together with Rene  of the founders of the Priorat wine revolution. At his family owned and run winery, Clos d Obac, he produces some of the most iconic Priorat wines, Clos de l’Obac, Misere and Kyrie.  A visit to both Clos Mogador and Clos d Obac cellars is a must for any Spanish wine lover!

Another not to be missed winery is Clos Figueres, in the village centre, where the charming owners not only show our clients their unusual barrel room but also treat them to a great meal at their fantastic restaurant. Clos Figueres owns 18 hectares of some of the best Priorat vineyards, planted with Grenache, Carignan (some over 60 years old), Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Monastrell, Viognier and Chenin Blanc.

 

Clos Figures vineyards in DOQ Priorat wine region

As for the Priorat wine region most typical grape varieties, the native red grapes of Carinyena (Carignan) and Garnatxa (Grenache) are the absolute stars, in coupage and also in some incredible mono varietal single vineyard wines.

All the permitted grape varieties of the DOQ Priorat Wine Region are:

  • Red Priorat Grape Varieties: Grenache, Carignan, Hairy Grenache, Tempranillo, Piquepoul, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah
  • White Priorat Grape Varieties: Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Pedro Ximinez, Chenin Blanc, Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Xarello, Piquepoul

While visiting the Priorat wine region, aside from refining your wine-palate, you may also want to taste Priorat world-class olive oils, which are also classified into DOs.

One of the best Priorat olive groves are in the area of the fairly tale hamlet of Siurana, which is set upon a cliff, surrounded by mountains, with views fit for an eagle! Set 1000m high atop a cliff, Siurana was the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia, and the legend is that, wanting to evade capture by the Christians, the Moorish queen Abdelazia drove herself and her horse off the cliff into the valley below… Today this charming rural stone village is worth a slow wander, taking in the spectacular views and the marks of hundreds of years of history.

Priorat extra virgin olive oil

So, if you love fine red wines, aromatic olive oils and enjoy spectacular scenery; you can’t miss the Priorat wine region!

Join us on a private Wine Lovers Tour of Spain to explore the Priorat wine region, as well as other incredible Spanish wine regions of Ribera del Duero, La Rioja, Emporda and Penedes. We always want to show our clients the most scenic areas, with expert guided visits to fantastic wineries as well as great local restaurants and boutique accommodations. 

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The best wineries in the Spanish Emporda Wine Region

Mas Estela set amongst the incredible scenery of the Cap de Creus

The up and coming Empordà wine region in Catalonia, northern Spain is known for it’s high-quality wines, olive oil and beautiful scenery. The windswept Emporda landscape between the Costa Brava and Girona, does not only offer bucolic vineyards and olive trees vistas,  but fascinating medieval hamlets and gorgeous seaside villages as well. If you are a wine lover and like to discover exciting new wines, the Empordà wine region is a perfect wine travel destination.  Still undiscovered, but with great food, lovely rural hotels and charming vintners,  who are always ready for a chat with fellow wine buffs and of course, an Emporda wine tasting!

More and more local Emporda wine makers prefer to grow their grapes in a way which is in harmony with the local environment. One such Emporda winery is Terra Remota lying at the base of the mountains, close to the border of Spain with France.  This ecologically run vineyard is one of the best wineries in Catalonia and their fine organic Emporda wines have gained a fabulous reputation by being included on the wine lists of many Michelin 3 starred restaurants! Not only does this Catalan cellar produce organic wines, but they also aim for minimal impact on the surrounding nature. Their raw concrete “bodega” designed by architects Pépe Cortés & Nacho Ferrer is recently built, but in time will surely hide itself entirely in its natural surroundings, as  it is perfectly integrated in a side of a hill, lying long and low with the mauve Pyrenees high above, with its roofs covered with vegetation.  On our Spanish wine tours, covering the Emporda wine region, our guests also enjoy a picnic at this special winery!  It is lovely to relax and unwind, surrounded by vineyards,  where you can put your feet up and lounge in the shade of the tall trees on the sun beds provided. With the sun filtering through the tree tops, take time out to breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Close by, another Emporda winery, Mas Estela,  is tucked within the Cap de Creus natural park and only 3 kms from the Mediterranean sea; its moderating influence protecting the valley of vines. Another of the best wineries in Catalonia, here not only do they produce highly-regarded wines but the location of the winery is sublime. The family came here in 1988 and bought a large ruin with some 20 hectares of valley and scrub land with steep slopes on either side. Having rebuilt their house, they planted the terraces with varieties like syrah, monastrell and garnatxa gris to complement the garnatxa, cariñena and muscat which already existed.  This Emporda winery is organic as well and applies biodynamic principles that obey the cycles of the moon in order to interact with the soil or when to work on the vines. Their use of natural fertilizer only, means that the environment is not polluted by any type of chemical which ensures that the biodiversity remains strong and creates a truly healthy environment.

 

 

Another of the best wineries in Catalonia is La Vinyeta, in the heart of the Empordà wine D.O region. A young winery, it was purchased in 2002 by an enthusiastic Catalan wine making couple and is the fruit of much effort and ambition. From that moment on, more and more vines were planted, up to the present 30 hectares. The project was consolidated in 2006 with the construction of the winery and the making of the first wines. In 2009, La Vinyeta became one of the first Spanish wineries to adopt Integrated Production, an environmentally-friendly cultivation system. Their signature Emporda wines are not only delicious but structured as if they were part of a unique story. From the starting “Once upon a time” for the Heus label, the freshest and youngest of their wines; which is produced in red, white and rosé varieties. Passing on to the Llavors (it can be translated as “then”), which signals an evolution after spending six months in oak casks. This Emporda wine story is completed with the distinct Punt i Apart (which translates to “new paragraph”); La Vinyeta’s flagship wine, and our definite favorite, which stays 13 months in oak casks.  

Our carefully designed Wine Lovers Tour of Spain covers not only the beautiful-up-and-coming Emporda wine region, but also many of our other favorite Spanish vineyards, some well known, others hidden gems waiting to be discovered. If you have just a few days, our Emporda Wine Region & Costa Brava Tour is a perfect opportunity to indulge in local wine, food and culture! Combining a few days of pure relaxation in medieval villages with a customized tour of the area including Emporda wine tastings, fine food and the best privately guided tours. Just drop us a line with your dates and budget and we will take it from there!

Happy Holidays 2020!

We all wish you Happy Holidays and a very healthy and prosperous 2020!

Travel with us this new year to Spain, Portugal, France and/or Italy on a fabulous private tour, to make 2020 even more special!

 

Just to let you know, our office will be closed over the holiday season from Monday December 23rd until Friday January 3rd, both included.  

 

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Unique Christmas traditions of Spain

Christmas is a very religious and traditional time here in Spain, with truly unique events, such as live Nativity Scenes, bizarre local traditions like Caga-tio (or Pooping Log) and beautifully emotive Catholic celebrations. The Spanish Christmas season starts off with the Catholic bank holiday of Immaculate Conception on December 8th. In Seville each year, the day is celebrated in front of the Gothic cathedral (the largest in the world!)  with a moving dance ceremony performed by children and  called Baile de Los Seises (dance of six).

The guests who join us on a private tour in Spain during  the Christmas season, can experience first-hand the unique Spanish live nativity scenes, a sacred symbol of local Christmas tradition. Some of the most beautiful medieval villages in Spain magically convert for a few nights before Christmas into incredibly scenic live Nativity scenes, with locals playing the parts of Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, shepherds  etc. All illuminated with torches and replete with the necessary cast of live animals, to see this is a truly unique experience!

Traditional nativity scenes are set-up everywhere in Spain – in many plazas and areas where people might gather, even in storefront windows! Once we see these scenes in the streets, we can be aware that this special season is approaching!

In Catalonia and Aragòn, a beloved and typical character is the Tío de Nadal or Caga Tió. It is a hollow wooden log, about thirty centimeters long with a painted smiling face, enhanced by a little red sock hat and often a three-dimensional nose. In the days between the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Christmas Eve, children are instructed to care for the log, giving Tió a little bit to “eat” every night and covering him with a little blanket so that he will not be cold at night. On Christmas day one puts the Tió partly into the fireplace and orders it to “poop” presents. To make him “poop”, one hits him with sticks, while singing various songs of Tió de Nadal. Before ordering the Tió to poop gifts, the adults ask children to leave the room in order for them to arrange for the small gifts from Tió to be put in place. The Tió does not drop larger objects, as those are considered to be brought by the Three Wise Men. It does leave candies, nuts, torrons and small toys: for what the Tió leaves is a communal gift rather than an individual one, to be shared by all.

 

Oh Christmas tree…

Christmas Eve in Spain is called Nochebuena and like many other parts of the world, is celebrated with two very important traditions; eating an enormous meal, and going to Christmas Midnight Mass .

There is a wide variety of typical Christmas dishes one might find on plates across Spain on this night.  Each region has its own distinct specialities. Among typical dishes served on Christmas Eve and during the days that follow are roast lamb and suckling pig (typically served in the regions of Castilla León, Castilla la Mancha, and Madrid), turkey or duck (commonly prepared in Andalucía), and an enormous variety of seafood, including shrimp, lobster, crab, and various types of fish like hake, trout, sea bream, sea bass, and salmon (common in many regions, but mostly on the coasts).  For dessert there is quite an array of delicacies; among them are turrón (a version of nougat), made of honey, egg and almonds that are Arabic in origin, as well as polvorones, an almond shortbread and a variety of nuts and dried fruits. All these wonderful foods contribute to Christmas celebrations in Spain.

To drink, one must have a glass of cava, the Spanish equivalent of champagne.  After the meal, many Spaniards get their second wind and go to midnight mass, known as “La misa del Gallo”, or “Rooster Mass”, named such because the Rooster  is known as the first to announce the birth of Christ. On Christmas day people spend time with their families and feast on another large meal. Some households have children enjoy the gifts that they have received from Papa Noel (Santa Claus).  The custom of giving gifts on this date is not as popular as it is in many countries, as Spaniards traditionally wait until Three King’s Day to exchange gifts. New Year’s Eve, or Nochevieja, in Spain, is quite an impressive spectacle.  In all plazas across the country, one can see a similar scene that includes church bells and grapes. When the clock strikes 12, the church bells sound 12 times, and at this moment all Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one for each toll of the bell. This lively celebration will go on until the wee hours of the morning!

 

Epiphany (or Three Kings Day) on January 6 signifies the end of Christmas, the long-awaited day for children to receive their presents. First, in the afternoon of January 5th, a grand Three Kings Parade takes place in every Spanish city, town and village, with thousands of participants and wide TV coverage. The kings carry loads of gifts on their carriages and throw sweets to the enthusiastic crowds. Before going to bed that night, children leave their shoes out on their balcony and hope that when they wake up they will find gifts left by Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthasar.  After festive lunch, families have the typical dessert of the day, the “Roscón de los Reyes”, a large ring shaped cake that is decorated with candied fruits, symbolic of the emeralds and rubies that adorned the robes of the three kings.  Somewhere inside the cake there is a surprise, and the person to find it will be crowned King or Queen of the house for the remainder of the day!

We hope you enjoy a wonderful festive season ahead! If you would like to witness and partake in these traditional Spanish festivities first-hand, join us for a private tour around Christmas and New Year: for example, if you choose our  Majestic Madrid & Authentic Andalucia Tour you too can watch first hand the ceremony of Los Seises from Seville Cathedral or soak up the atmosphere while eating grapes on New Year’s Eve in Spain’s glorious capital of Madrid!

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The best olive oil harvest festivals in Spain!

Spain, the largest producer of olive oil in the world, with the impressive average of 44% of the world’s supply of olive oil each year, is paradise for us olive oil lovers!  Over 250 varieties of olive trees in Spain produce twice as much olive oil as Italy and four times as much as Greece! The olive oil harvest time, from early November till mid January, with many olive oil festivals all over the country, is a perfect opportunity for an authentic Spanish food and wine tour! On your foodie trip with us you can visit charming local olive oil artisans, participate in lively olive oil festivals in local villages, see their olive mills in full swing and taste the freshly pressed olive oil – its aroma and taste are truly delicious!

Olive trees, though native to Asia Minor, have been grown around the Mediterranean since the 8th millennium BC. Cultivating and eating olives has existed before written language came to be! The Phoenicians brought olive trees to southern Spain almost 3000 years ago, so it is no wonder they are such an integral part of Spanish cuisine and agriculture.

The Spanish region of Andalucia grows most of the world’s olive oil, but Catalonia produces some of the world’s best and most distinct in flavour. The first official protected designation of origin for Spanish extra-virgin olive oil was bestowed on the Catalan Oli de Borges in 1975.

Nowadays, the most prestigious Olive Oil D.O. in Catalonia is Siurana, where the legendary OleAurum DOP Siurana oil was born. Here, on the outskirts of Reus every November, the Siurana Olive Oil Fair takes place, a lively event gathering the most important producers of the DOP Siurana. Olive and olive oil tastings abound, as well as a raffle whose winner succeeds in being given their ‘weight in oil’!

So many olive oils to choose from!

In Andalucia, Jaen is the iconic olive oil region, with miles and miles of olive orchards and many olive oil producers and co-operatives. During the olive harvest, between November and February,   you can enjoy here not only fantastic olive oil mills visits and tastings, but also lively traditional gatherings and gastronomic festivals, like the one in Martos, where you can participate in the harvesting of olives and see the extraction of olive oil from the olive. A delicious end to this festival is the handing out of ´hoyos´ by local olive growing families, a traditional dish of bread, oil, salt, cod and olives.

The beautiful Catalan region of Priorat, well-known amongst the wine lovers for its mind-blowing reds, also abounds in excellent olive oil. Here the Oil Festival of Cabacés takes place on the first weekend of December and includes olive oil tastings, guided tours of the local mills, displays of country produce, as well as music and a communal lunch.

We are passionate about our olive oil and would love to assist you with a Spanish foodie tour, so you can experience the ambience and conviviality of these very community-strong olive oil festivals here in Spain, be it south or north!

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Michelin Guide Spain & Portugal 2020 – list of Michelin starred restaurants

The 2020 Michelin Guide to Spain & Portugal,  awarding the coveted Michelin stars, was presented last night from the beautiful Lope de Vega Theatre in Seville, with a dinner served by the Spanish chef Angel León, owner of the Michelin 3 star Aponiente. Oh what a night!! We are excited to report that the Spanish restaurant Cenador de Amos, in the beautiful Cantabrian countryside, has been awarded their third Michelin star, so Spain maintains 11 three Michelin star restaurants, despite the closure of Dani Garcia’s establishment. In Portugal, our belowed Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, the fantastic restaurant close to Porto run by our favourite Portuguese chef, Rui Paula, was awarded their second Michelin star!

So, for 2020 in Spain there are now total 11 restaurants with 3 Michelin stars, 29 restaurants with 2 Michelin stars and as many as 174 with 1 Michelin star! In Portugal, there are total of 29 restaurants with Michelin stars in 2020, 7 with 2 Michelin stars, one of them new, as well as 4 new Michelin one star restaurants, although no new three Michelin stars this year.

Below is a list of all Michelin 3* Restaurants in the 2020 Michelin Guide to Spain & Portugal, by region:

Jesus Sanchez: now with 3 Michelin stars

Cantabria Michelin 3* Restaurants:

El Cenador de Amós (Villaverde de Pontones) – a new addition to the Michelin guide of Spain & Portugal Michelin, this fantastic restaurant is located in a beautiful typically northern Spanish casona.  Run by the talented chef Jesús Sanchez, it won its third Michelin star for “its tireless search for the emotive experience of food, and the sensory details that leave you remembering a culinary experience”.

Catalonia Michelin 3* Restaurants:

Àbac (Barcelona)

El Celler de Can Roca (Girona)

Lasarte (Barcelona)

Madrid Michelin 3* Restaurants:

Diverxo (Madrid)

Rui Paula

Valencia Michelin 3* Restaurants:

Quique Dacosta (Dénia, Alicante)

Basque Country Michelin 3* Restaurants:

Akelarre (Guipúzcoa)

Arzak (Guipúzcoa)

Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Vizcaya)

Martín Berasategui (Guipúzcoa)

Andalucía Michelin 3* Restaurants:

Aponiente (Cádiz)

 

Aside from the usual red Michelin stars, the Michelin guide has awarded for the first time their Sustainability Award, which was given to Angel Leon, for “constantly defending the sea”. The chef of Aponiente, the only restaurant with three Michelin stars in Andalucia, thanked the guide for finally recognizing the region’s cuisine.

All 29 Michelin starred Restaurants in Portugal in the 2020 Michelin Guide to Spain & Portugal:

  1. Casa da Chá da Boa Nova, Leça de Palmeira, 2 Michelin stars (New)
  2. The Yeatman, Vila Nova de Gaia, 2 Michelin stars
  3. Ocean, Porches, 2 Michelin stars
  4. Vila Joya, Albufeira, 2 Michelin stars
  5. Belcanto, Lisboa, 2 Michelin stars
  6. Alma, Lisboa, 2 Michelin stars
  7. Il Gallo d’Oro, Funchal, (Madeira) 2 Michelin stars
  8. Epur, Lisboa, 1 Michelin star (New)
  9. Fifty Seconds, Lisboa, 1 Michelin star (New)
  10. Mesa de Lemos, Quinta de Lemos, 1 Michelin star (New)
  11. Vistas, Faro, 1 Michelin star (New)
  12. Gusto, Almancil de Faro, 1 Michelin star
  13. A cozinha, Guimaraes, 1 Michelin star
  14. GPousada, Bragança, 1 Michelin star
  15. Midori, Sintra, 1 Michelin star
  16. Antiqvvm, Porto, 1 Michelin star
  17. Lab by Sergi Arola, Sintra, 1 Michelin star
  18. L’And Vineyards, Montemor-o-Novo, 1 Michelin star
  19. Loco, Lisboa, 1 Michelin star
  20. William, Funchal, 1 Michelin star
  21. São Gabriel, Almancil, 1 Michelin star
  22. Henrique Leis, Vale Formoso (Almancil), 1 Michelin star
  23. Bon Bon, Carvoeiro, 1 Michelin star
  24. Willie’s, Vilamoura (Quarteira), 1 Michelin star
  25. Largo do Paço, Amarante, 1 Michelin star
  26. Pedro Lemos, Foz do Douro (Porto), 1 Michelin star
  27. Fortaleza do Guincho, Praia do Guincho (Cascais), 1 Michelin star
  28. Eleven, Lisboa, 1 Michelin star
  29. Feitoria, Lisboa, 1 Michelin star

In the Michelin Guide Spain & Portugal Bib Gourmand category (the best price-quality relationship) there are as many as 267 restaurants to be found in 2020! In the “Michelin dish” category ( quality dishes recommended by Michelin guide) there is an amazing number of 837 restaurants! So come and join us on a fantastic food and wine tour along the Michelin restaurant route through Spain and Portugal and experience these Southern European culinary jewels for yourself!

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Winter: truffle & mushroom season in Spain, France & Italy

Spain, France and Italy are paradise for truffle and mushroom lovers in winter, when prestigious white and black truffle festivals and lively wild mushroom markets abound! Piedmont’s legendary white Alba truffles, the iconic Périgord black diamonds or the amazing array of wild mushrooms in Catalonia are best enjoyed at source at these authentic local truffle and mushroom feasts!

Typical fresh black truffle and wild mushroom pasta in Italy

Freshly picked Catalan wild mushrooms

 

Both truffles and mushrooms love the dark and damp, though there are many differences between these beloved fungi.

 

Truffles are a tuber, which is a type of subterranean fungus, so do come from the same kingdom as the venerable mushroom. Unlike mushrooms (of which most tend to resemble an umbrella in shape), truffles, whether of the black or white variety; look similar to a misshapen potato in size and form.

 

Truffles are only found growing underground beside the root systems of oak or hazelnut trees, preferring precise conditions of moist, warm days and cooler nights, which the heavily wooded areas of France’s Provence and Dordogne, Italy’s Piedmont and Spain’s Aragon, provide.

 

In season, we have many harvest festivals celebrating truffles & mushrooms here in Spain, France & Italy. Perhaps the most prestigious one is the International Alba White Truffle Festival in Piedmont, that takes place from October through to November. From there, you can travel to Tuscany where in November you can taste more exquisite white truffle at the San Miniato Truffle Fair. In France the black truffle is the star of the show. The best black truffle festivals are in January, the Sarlat Truffle Festival in Dordogne and Sorges Truffle Festival in Provence being the most important. For an unforgettable truffle experience, join us on a private gourmet truffle and mushroom hunting tour, where you will not only experience the lively truffle markets, truffle and mushroom cooking demonstrations and other gastronomic events, but also hunt for these delicacies yourself! Funnily enough, the completely unknown area of Teruel in Spain not only produces some of the best black truffles in the world, but also is thought to produce the largest quantity! Away from the international buzz, this is the perfect place to feast on truffles at excellent local restaurants without the exorbitant price tag.

White and black truffles once they have been dug out from the earth… they taste much better than they look!

 

While in Spain truffle-hunting, why not feast on wild mushrooms as well? The Catalan region at the foot of the Pyrenees provide excellent conditions for mushroom hunting and is well known among European mushroom lovers. If you would like to experience mushroom picking in Spain, join us for a Mushroom Hunting Getaway Tour, immersing yourself in its damp, woodland world. Feel underfoot the crush of fallen leaves and the scent of rain and earth as our expert mushroom hunting guide takes you to his secret spots to pick some tasty and nutrient-rich fungi.

Two truffles hunters hard at work in the forest close to Alba, Piedmont

 

Some glorious Spanish chanterelles ripe for picking…

In terms of cuisine, the humble and versatile mushroom is widely used in Spain in meaty stews, creates a rich risotto with arborio rice and white wine in Italy, or pan fried with garlic and herbs as an accompaniment in France: really, the choices are many!

 

When you taste the flavour of truffles, they are best enjoyed fresh and of course, uncooked. Come and enjoy the truffle season with us, feasting on freshly harvested aromatic thinly sliced truffle atop pasta or polenta in Italy, on an omelette in France or atop a hearty filet in Spain.

 

When it comes to ‘hunting’ both types of fungi, experience and knowledge of the best spots is crucial and our guides are true experts. Then for mushroom hunting a good set of eyes is enough, whereas finding truffles requires the expertise of a trained dog as well; to lead you to this culinary gold, and then for the ‘hunter’ to dig them out.

Either way, truffle & mushroom hunting in Spain, France & Italy is a fun and very authentic experience, so come on board and let us organise the perfect truffle and/or mushroom hunting getaway tour for you!

Italian wild mushroom risotto with pangratatto

 

The results for ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ have arrived…

RESULTS ARE IN! The 18th edition of the acclaimed Restaurant Magazine’s ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019’ are here to peruse below. True foodies – be advised that you can experience any of the restaurants marked in red on our private bespoke Michelin starred routes along Spain, Portugal, Italy and SW France :-)

1: Mirazur (Menton, France)
2: Noma (Copenhagen, Denmark)
3: Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain)
4: Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand)
5: Geranium (Copenhagen, Denmark)
6: Central (Lima, Peru)
7: Mugaritz (San Sebastian, Spain)
8: Arpege (Paris, France)
9: Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)
10: Maido (Lima, Peru)
11: Den (Tokoy, Japan)
12: Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico)
13: White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)
14: Azurmendi (Larrabetzu, Spain)
15: Septime (Paris, France)
16: La Plaza Athenee (Paris, France)
17: Steirereck (Vienna, Austria)
18: Odette (Singapore)
19: Twins Garden (Moscow, Russia) NEW ENTRY
20: Tickets (Barcelona, Spain)
21: Frantzen (Stockholm, Sweden)
22: Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
23: Cosme (NYC, USA)
24: Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)
25: Alenno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (Paris, France)
26: Borago (Santiago, Chile)
27: The Clove Club (London, UK)
28: Blue Hill at Stone Barns (NY state, USA)
29: Piazza Duomo (Alba, Italy)
30: Elkano (Getaria, Spain)
31: Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy)
32: Nerua (Bilbao, Spain)
33: Lyle’s (London, UK)
34: Don Julio (Buenos Aires, Argentina) NEW ENTRY
35: Atelier Crenn (San Francisco, USA) NEW ENTRY
36: Le Bernardin (NYC, USA)
37: Alinea (Chicage, USA)
38: Hisa Franko (Kobarid, Slovenia)
39: A Casa do Porco (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
40: Restaurant Tim Raue (Berlin, Germany)
41: The Chairman (Hong Kong)
42: Belcanto (Lisbon, Portugal)
43: Hof van Cleve (Flanders, Belgium)
44: The Test Kitchen (Cape Town, South Africa)
45: Suhring (Bangkok, Thailand)
46: De Librije (Netherlands)
47: Benu (San Francisco, USA)
48: Ultraviolet (Shanghai, China)
49: Leo (Bogota, Chile)
50: Schloss Schauenstein (Switzerland)

Come and join Gourmand Breaks for a culinary local tour of Michelin-starred restaurants in Portugal, Spain, France or Italy.

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The changing face of ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ in 2019

The 2019 edition of ‘The World’s 50 Best’ Restaurants has slightly changed shape.
A new addition to the awards’ lists, is the ‘Best of The Best’; created specifically to honor those who have taken the #1 spot of ‘The World’s 50 Best’, as they can now no longer be in the running to compete; as previous winners. This allows new entrants to vie for the top prize without having to compete with the restaurants who have won time and again. This means chefs such as Ferran Adria, Massimo Bottura and Rene Redzepi can only receive the sought-after #1 if they open a restaurant in new premises.

The 51 – 100 World’s Best Restaurants List 2019 was revealed yesterday (Full List HERE) and places have been tipped upside-down, meaning that there will be quite a few new entries in ‘The World’s 50 Best’. What we do know is that there are six restaurants from Spain, one from France and three from Italy in the 2019 list of the World’s Best Restaurants; coming in between 51 and 100. At number 51 there is Niko Romito’s Reale Castel di Sangro, San Sebastian’s Arzak in 53rd place, and DiverXO (Madrid) gaining momentum from No. 96 last year to No. 75 this year. Albert Adria’s Barcelonan restaurant Enigma goes higher up the list in its second year; now coming in at No. 82.

As fascinated by fine cuisine and wine as we are here at Gourmand Breaks we thought it best to show how the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ do in fact get chosen:

Each Academy member votes for 10 restaurants; at least 4 of these must be for restaurants outside their home region. Each member submits their 10 choices in order of preference, and they must also have eaten in the restaurants they nominate within the last 18 months.
Academy members cannot have financial interest in any restaurant they vote for, and they can only vote for a restaurant based on a dining experience that takes place at the restaurant itself. Nominations must be made for the restaurant, not for the restaurateur or the chef; and members of the Academy must remain anonymous.

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Port Wine Route 2020 – Picturesquely Peaceful Pinhao: Douro Valley

The Douro Valley , Portugal, is considered to be one of the most spectacular wine regions in the world with its characteristic terraced vineyards on sloping hills that meet the meandering river below and the peaceful Pinhao, (pronounced Pin-yeow), in the very heart of the Douro Valley. Many of our Private Wine Tours in Portugal  include this iconic wine region, the perfect place to spend 2 or 3 days and submerge your senses in the Portuguese countryside. You will definitely switch off from the city life here as this wine area enchants you, enveloping you in its refreshing breath.

Take full advantage of this relaxing haven by taking a stroll beside the Douro River, a drive around this incredibly beautiful area, or ride the train meandering alongside the water. Pinhao station is considered one of the most symbolic locations on the Upper Douro wine circuit. The picture postcard train station has 25 blue glazed tile panels covering the main building, representing the local landscapes and habits, predominantly of wine making. The Pinhao to Pocinho route is considered one of the world’s most scenic journeys ; the rail line runs just along the river with of course the resultant breathtaking views of the terraced vineyards on the other side.

Our charismatic licensed local chauffeurs Miguel and Francesca, with time have become true experts in the Douro Valley wine and wineries. Nowadays, accompanied by them, you will not only visit the best wineries, but learn a lot about the fascinating world of Port and other Portuguese wines. Or maybe, you might prefer the freedom of self-driving, in which case we will gladly provide a luxury rental car. Either way, explore our favorite hidden corners of the Douro Valley wine region and even travel to Vila Nova de Foz Coa with some spectacular views as the roads wind erratically up and down the mountainside between the different valleys. The town is beautifully situated high above the River Coa, one of the tributaries of the Douro. This is very much an area of olives and almonds, in particular, make a beautiful sight in early spring. Vila Nova is also the closest town to the 22,000-year-old rock paintings, which were discovered during the construction of a new dam.

Another leisurely excursion to make is to Sabrosa, a short drive to the north of Pinhao, the birthplace of Fernao de Magalhaes (Ferdinand Magellan), who was born there in 1480. One ship of his fleet of five (commanded by the Basque Juan Sebastian de Elcano) was the first to circumnavigate the globe between 1519 and 1522. Magellan himself was killed en route in the Philippines.

This intoxicating atmosphere can also be fully explored with various experiences that await you on your Customized Private Tour of Portugal, whilst in Pinhao. A private port wine tasting with an expert at your hotel provides an excellent opportunity to start to get to know the best ports of Portugal. Port wine is a wine developed in Portugal by the British. To make the wine, it ferments for only 2 to 3 days, has brandy added, and then is aged in wooden barrels. How long it ages determines the taste and how sweet the wine is.

There are generally five different types of port wine – white, ruby, tawny, late bottle vintage (LBV), and vintage. White is aged early and is young and robust. Ruby is aged for 3 years with a strong grape and pepper taste. Tawny varies from 10 to 40 years and is aged in smaller wooden barrels and with a light, mellow taste. Late Bottle Vintage is aged 4 to 6 years while vintage is from a single harvest and is aged for 2 years in wood and then 10 to 30 years in the bottle. All port wines are medium sweet but they do range from a drier, less sweet to very sweet. Enjoy trying to distinguish between the 5 different types of port wine!

A privately skippered Rabelo cruise on the Douro River is also a favorite of our clients, as it offers a great chance to see the beauty of the area and the many wineries running down towards the river. These cruises are on replica Vintage boats traditionally used to carry the wine down the river from Douro to the lodges in Oporto. A less luxurious option but still a chance to cruise the river would be to join one of the small group excursions on regular boats, which we can also arrange. Whichever way, they are both a great opportunity for you to see the beauty of the area and the many wineries running down towards the river.

The wines from this region are prized for their solid backbone and concentration and this can be seen at some of our favourite wineries. Enjoy a private visit (or two), with wine-tasting, to a prestigious winery in the Douro Demarcated Region, here are a few personal favorites:

– A famous flagship Quinta that is beautifully maintained and picturesquely located just up the river, with gorgeous views of Pinhao. Tour the cellars to see the production processes that have been used over the centuries and how they have evolved.

– A Quinta that is famed not only for its sophisticated wines but also for its  dramatic, mind blowing views. References date as far back as the early seventeenth century, long before the Douro became the world’s first demarcated wine region in 1756.

– A world famous port producing Quinta whose reputation goes back to the 18th century. The property at the moment totals just over 76 hectares. All of the grapes are foot trodden in granite lagares situated on the property.

Whatever you decide to see and do, Pinhao is perfectly placed to discover the spectacular Douro Valley , enjoy Portuguese Wines and tantalize your taste buds. Sample the Portuguese cuisine by dining at some of our favorite local haunts or even treat yourself to a luxury Michelin starred meal while you’re in the area, at the incredible Rui Paula restaurant, overlooking the river. Accommodation-wise, we can book you into a charming 5-star hotel overlooking the river or if you prefer, a fantastic hilltop winery hotel with spectacular views or a unique quaint historical lodge in the wine country.

Come and discover Pinhao and the Douro Valley on our Luxury Private Tour of Portugal: Wine and Culture

If you are short on vacation time but in need of some exhilarating scenery and fresh air then the Romantic Escape to The Douro Valley Private tour is perfect for you. Read more