Josep Foraster, Montblanc, Conca de Barbera, Spain

JOSEP FORASTER; DISFRUTAR RELEASE!

In the Conca de Barbera region, an area of unparalleled natural beauty and architectural wealth, lies the town of Montblanc where the Mas Foraster winery has been located since 1998. The world-famous 'Ruta del Cister', a great hiking trail through the Conca de Barbera mountains, not only takes you through the sacred triangle of the three most important Cistercian monasteries of Catalonia, but also a route to various wine estates including that of Foraster. A family business, 100% home-grown, 100% organically grown, 100% hand-produced and 100% quality.

THE HOLY TRIANGLE

The 'Ruta de Cister' route is part of the great European Sacred Triangle of footpaths and is the only path that connects the three most notable Cistercian orders and their monasteries in Catalonia. The monasteries of Santes Creus, Poblet and Vallbona de les Monges are located in the regions of Conca de Barberà and Urgell. The Cistercian route includes a number of attractions along the way; such as evening prayers and monks' chanting in Poblet, a walk over the wooded hills of Prades, through the vineyards of La Conca de Barbera or a hike along the rugged ridge of El Cogulló and the contrasting plains of L'Alt Camp to end at the impressive monastery of Santes Creus.

THE SUNNY SLOPES OF CONCA DE BARBERA

Josep Foraster has a total of 34 hectares of vineyards, all located on sunny slopes of the Conca de Barbera, ranging from 370 to 500 meters above sea level. Conca de Barbera has a continental-mediterranean climate with a large difference between day and night. All of Josep Foraster's vineyards are located in the municipality of Monblanc. Here we find soils that are characterized by diversity; raw landforms, eroding river Francol and its tributaries the Anguera. Higher up on the slopes of the 'Serra de Mirmar' the soils are clay-limestone, with few nutrients and organic matter. On the slopes of the 'Prades Mountains' we find soils that are calcareous with alternation between slate and river rocks. Due to the diversity of terroirs, they have planted different varieties: Trepat, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache blanc, Grenache noir, Chardonnay, Macabeo and Parellada and they cultivate all the vineyards organically, no use of synthetic products or herbicides. The oldest vines are 50 years old and the youngest were planted in 2013.

TREPAT - CATALONIA' "PINOT NOIR"?!

Native to the northeastern part of Spain and associated with the Conca de Barbera and Costers des Segre regions, the Trepat grape is a red wine grape that enjoys a perfect microclimate. Trepat is primarily used to make light rosé Cavas with a delicate pale color and a character all of its own that only Trepat can provide. What is striking is the similarities that Pinot Noir vs Trepat share. Both have a light color, youthful refreshing acidity in the early years and both are the most important red grapes in sparkling wine making. Pinot Noir is one of the three grapes of Champagne, while most Trepat grapes go into Cava production. This practice is slowly changing in Catalonia, with several leading wineries making the move to give Trepat its deserved attention as a still wine rather than committing entirely to Cava production.