Special guest: Marta Benedet, People Wine
Educated in law and international trade, when Marta was born, was celebrated with Vega Sicilia… perhaps it was a signal. Her mother comes from La Rioja, land of wine, and it is there, in her hometown, where she tells us that she has spent some of the happiest summers of her childhood, between vineyards. “I have been attached to the wine world from many different angles, always learning new perspectives and discovering new wines. But what keeps me engaged is the person behind each one, the story, the passion, the resilience…” Her goal at People Wine is to help small and not so big producers to get to be known in Scandinavia and at Winetourism.com is to connect wine lovers from all over the world with the best experiences in very special places.
Interview on Yellow Road with the Marta Benedet, People Wine
Let's test the work of your site. I open the WineTourism.com website and read:
WineTourism.com is a new online booking platform designed to make wine tastings and tours more accessible to interested wine drinkers around the globe. We act as an intermediary site connecting wine enthusiasts to interested wineries through our easy online booking system.
1 - How can you help as a mediator? If the winery has its own booking system, then why a middleman? If the winery does not have a booking system, then you will be of little help.
IN SOME CASES THEY DON'T HAVE, AND, IN THE CASES THEY HAVE, THE WAY WE HELP THEM IS BECAUSE OUR WEB HAS A LOT MORE TRAFFIC THAN THEIRS, THIS WAY, THEIR PLACE GAINS VISIBILITY, SOMETHING VERY VALUABLE REGARDING INTERNATIONAL VISITORS (MANY OF THEIR WEBS ARE FOCUSSED IN THE LOCAL TOURIST).
2 - Now I have opened QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR USERS & TRAVELERS. Why would I pay (and ask numerous questions) to you if I can do it directly?
THE PRICE IS THE SAME IN OUR PLATFORM AND IN THE WINERY. THE TOURIST THERE IS NO RATE DIFFERENCE, BUT A BETTER SERVICE, SINCE IT IS CONFIRMED THE EXACT ACTIVITY AND DATE BEFORE HAND WITH THE WINERY. tHIS IS ALSO VERY VALUABLE WHEN WE CONNECT TOURISTS THAT DON'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF THE WINERY.
3 - Now I have opened QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FOR WINE MAKERS and immediately closed it.
If I am a winemaker, then why do I need all this headache: should I pay? How do I know if someone books an activity at my winery?
WE CALL THEM OR EMAIL THEM TO CONFIRM, THEN THEY HAVE THE MONEY FROM THE VISITOR BEFORE HAND (THIS IS VERY USEFUL FOR THEM, SPECIALLY WHEN THE ACTIVITY INCLUDES A LUNCH THAT THEY NEED TO PLAN IN ADVANCE ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF VISITORS). THEY RECEIVE THE MONEY FROM US, AS THE TOURIST PAY THROUGH THE PLATFORM. IT IS THE MOST SIMPLE WAY TO HANDLE WINETOURISM FOR WINERIES AND ALLOWS THEM TO FOCUS IN MORE IMPORTANT THINGS, SO THEY GRANT THE BEST EXPERIENCE TO THE VISITORS.
Travel in Spain with Marta Benedet
4 - Spain. Suppose I am not aware of the existence of wine regions in Spain. Therefore, I am primarily interested in wineries that are located in the southern part of Spain, near the Mediterranean Sea. What will be your choice (your tip for me). So, Andalusia, Murcia, Catalonia, Valencia and, for example, Aragon. What do you recommend to visit? And why?
I love my country and, especially, the differences and peculiarities that make each region unique. I cannot choose a single Denomination of Origin, but I would like to propose a possible route through the territorial strip that you tell me is usually the destination chosen by tourists who arrive from your land.
RONDA - MÁLAGA
I would begin my journey to the South, in an impressive destination within the province of Malaga called Ronda, which reached the status of a city in the time of Julius Caesar.
This city is physically divided in two by a cliff and this is where the tourist can enjoy one of the passions that also generates two opposing sides in Spanish public opinion: the bulls. With one of the oldest and most emblematic bullrings in Spain, a symbol of this city.
To learn more about the wines of the area, you can visit the Ramos Winery, which has different activity packages (https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-and-winery-tour-bodega-ramos- paul/).
GRANADA
Following the tour of the South, I invite the visitor to visit Granada, land of flamenco. From its first performances at the Cafés Cantantes, where live shows were held in small tablaos set up in bars and cafes, flamenco has grown as a show to the point of being a study chair at present in some Spanish universities.
The Sacromonte is one of the well-known cradles of Flamenco in Spain. In 1499 a law approved by the Catholic Monarchs forced the gypsies to abandon their nomadic lifestyle, for this reason, after the definitive expulsion of the Moors, the Sacromonte became a permanent gypsy neighborhood.
The great writers of the Generation of 27 were recognized fans of this art. That is why Federico García Lorca or Manuel de Falla, throughout his work, have been related to flamenco on several occasions.
There are many flamenco artists who have left Granada and have triumphed all over the world, and it is that the city's own stamp is noticeable.
And with this soundtrack in the background, I recommend going to Bodegas Calvente (https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-and-winery-tour-of-bodegas-calvente/), to learn the philosophy behind d the traditional cultivation methods and enjoy the best pairings of local wines and snacks from the area.
CÓRDOBA
Córdoba, the only city in the world with four properties named World Heritage Sites:
The Mosque. Currently known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, it was named a World Heritage Site in 1984 and the first stones of its construction date from the year 786. Considered the largest Muslim temple, only behind Mecca, until the construction of the Blue Mosque in 1588, was for centuries the center of the world in competition with Constantinople (at that time, still Christian).
The old town. The second largest historic center in Europe and the largest urban space recognized as a World Heritage Site is in Córdoba. Its best known buildings are the Mosque - Cathedral already mentioned and its Roman Bridge. This is not just any bridge. For twenty centuries it was the only access bridge to the city and we can affirm with total security that all the great figures who lived in Córdoba stepped on its stones. The feet of Seneca and Abderramán III, Castilian kings to fill several pages, poets who forged our literature, from Góngora to Lorca, have walked through its massive structure, every great figure who has visited Córdoba stepped on that same stone.
The festival of the Cordovan patios. Since 1921, every second and third week of May, one of the most beautiful and delicate festivals in Spain is celebrated in the patios of Córdoba. The residents of the city decorate their patios with dozens, sometimes hundreds of flower pots that draw new scenes on the white walls.
Medina Azahara. Built by the Caliph Abderramán III after his crushing victories over the Christian kingdoms and his internal revolts, it was for a handful of years the most splendid city in Europe. The chroniclers of the time say that mercury flowed from its sources, creating graceful optical effects for those who had the opportunity to observe them, and the roofs shone because they were covered with pure gold. White marble was brought from Portugal and the most diligent artisans carved each column with astonishing delicacy, while the most virtuous poets of Al-Andalus were invited to recite their praises to the caliph.
And in this dreamy enclave, I recommend the wine-loving tourist to visit Bodegas Robles (https://www.winetourism.com/experience/bodegas-robles-an-environmentally-conscious-winery/). An example of conscious and sustainable viticulture, the experience of visiting this winery is one of those that remain in the memory, fully at the height of the privileged location in which its vineyards are located.
MURCIA – DO BULLA Y CARTAGENA
And from one organic winery to another, changing Region. On this occasion we visit Murcia, known for its fertile orchard, which nourishes the most delicious fruits and vegetables in all of Spain.
I would make a stop at Bodegas Lavia (https://www.winetourism.com/winery/bodegas-lavia/). With great admiration for the traditional winemaking methods, combined with the latest technologies, the owners produce high-quality wines within the Bulla DO region. With complete respect for nature, biodiversity, and the environment, Bodega Lavia doesn’t use any harmful chemicals or pesticides in their vineyards.
After visiting the winery, the tourist may have time to get closer to the coast. The city of Cartagena will welcome you with open arms, making it difficult to think of traveling anywhere else afterwards.
Cartagena is one of the oldest cities on the Peninsula, it was founded by the Carthaginians under the name of Qart Hadasht, and later the Romans renamed it Carthage Nova. In addition, it was the seat of Byzantine power on the Peninsula.
Returning to visit the Roman theater (perfectly preserved), the National Museum of Underwater Archeology and, of course, get lost in the streets of the center, enjoying the pleasant surprise of seeing beautiful modernist buildings here and there, while enjoying tapas in the local bars and restaurants. The weather always accompanies.
ALOCANTE – ELCHE
And again, travel inland. I propose to get to Elche. Its Palm Grove is declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and gives visitors the chance to get lost among more than 300,000 date palms. Not everyone knows that the first ones were planted in Roman times and, today, there are those that have nearly 300 years of life.
And, after strolling through this oasis and, with luck, trying typical dishes such as Arroz con Costra or the traditional Putxero amb Terongetes, the wine lover will surely wonder what the region's vineyards will be like.
It won't take long to discover it by visiting the Faelo Winery (https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-and-lunch-picnic-at-bodegas-faelo/). Here the visitor will be able to enjoy a picnic in an exceptional enclave and with hosts dedicated to service and attentive to all details to ensure that the oenotourist does not miss anything at any time.
CATALUÑA
Between the visit to Cava Mestres (https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-experience-at-cava-mestres/) in Sant Sadurni D'anoia, cradle of this sparkling wine with global repetition and the getaway to the Priorat region (La morera de Montsant, more specifically), where the Maius Viticultors winery is located (https://www.winetourism.com/experience/a-wine-tasting-tour-of-the-maius-viticultors /), there are a million options to enjoy unique vacation days. Beach, mountains, adventure sports and cultural routes complement the most deeply-rooted traditions of the area. Those who have never heard of the castells, human torres declared by UNESCO to be amongst the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell#:~:text=A%20castell % 20 (Catalan% 20pronunciation% 3A% 20% 5B, and% 20dismantle% 20a% 20tower's% 20structure.) Will find that magic is hidden in many corners and in many different ways in this corner of Spain.
A stop at the Dalí Theater Museum and a morning in the Gaudí center can be complemented with a walk between the stalls of any of the traditional markets that show other types of works of art ... more ephemeral.
5 - From this list of wineries, we will now decide on the wine. First of all, I am interested in white wines, because my blog is called "Yellow Road" and it is primarily about white wines (yellow).
Where wine tastes best is tasting it next to the vineyard from which it comes? That said, here is a selection of wines, some of the wineries mentioned, there are also names of others in the same regions:
· Mestres Mas Via Vintage Brut Gran Reserva, Caves Mestres, DO Cava;
· Las Llunes Singulars Blanc de Vinyes Velles, Mas Llunes, DO Empordà
· Mas del Serral, Pepe Raventós, Conca del Riu Anoia.
· Capficat, Bodega Credo, DO Penedès.
· Bercial Blanco Selección (Bodega Sierra Norte), DO Valencia
· Brote blanco Bodegas Los Pinos, DO Valencia
· Ámfora, Bodega Les Freses de Jesús Pobre, DOP Alicante
· Nimi 17 Joan de la Casa, DOP Alicante
· Laus Blanco, Bodegas Laus Grupo Enate, DO Somontano
You asked me to stick to a specific geographical area within Spain, but I encourage tourists not to close doors and enter the peninsula, traveling west. There they will find jewels such as:
· Corisca Albariño Ecológico, DO Albariño
· Martin Códax, DO Albariño
· Cuatro Rayas Verdejo Viñedos Centenarios Sobre Lías, DO Rueda
· Baigorri Blanco, DO Rioja
· Care Blanco, DO Cariñena
And many more good wines from Txakoli, Ribeiro, Cigales, Jumilla, Condado de Huelva, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Manzanilla de Sanlúcar, Málaga, Sierras de Málaga, Montilla-Moriles, Campo de Borja, Utiel Requena…
6 - What do you recommend from red wines to get a complete picture of the winery?
What we usually like the most is what we are most used to. In my house, in addition to always trying new wines from all the DO of Spain, there is usually no lack of reds from Cariñena, Somontano and Rioja.
They are the aromas and flavors that are most ingrained in my memory and each sip, each note or the caress of their aromas transports me to very happy moments lived with family and friends.
7 - So, I'm preparing for this trip. Who, exactly, will meet me there? What will be the language of communication? How much will it cost me to visit this winery?
The owners of the wineries, sommeliers or expert wine guides will meet you there. The cost starts from 12 – 15 euros. The most of the wineries offer their services in English, apart from Spanish.
8 - Which winery has a Russian speaking guide?
When the trip is booked in advance, it is easier for the winery to find a guide in this language. Not all wineries have staff who speak Russian, but without exception they are willing to find someone who does, to offer the best service to visitors.
Some names come to my head now, like: Bodegas Castillo de Monjardín (Navarra); Encastell, Ardevol, Cal Besso, Vinyes dels Aspres, Sabaté I Coca (Cataluña): Lagar Da Cachada y Casa de Outeiro (Galicia)
Sergey Evtuhov,
author of the "Yellow Road" project
