Mont-roig del Camp: the emotional landscape of Joan Miró
We are going on a trip to the Gold Coast , touring those landscapes that dazzled the greats of our art.
LLICORELLA VINEYARDS AND MARINADE
The towns of the Costa Daurada have existed for more than two thousand years. Bathed in the clear waters of the mediterranean sea , these beautiful towns of the Catalan coast They grew up on land of incalculable value, sheltered by the caress of the air coming from the sea and from a to slaty land that allowed the miracle of elaboration of several of the best wines of our country.
This breeze from the Mediterranean is what is known there as " the marinade ", pure essence of the Mediterranean that is part of the X-ray of this magnificent region. Perhaps it was it is marinated the one that promoted the Iberians in the first settlements on the Costa Daurada, building citadels like Cambrils about 2,500 years ago.
Cambrils
The long hours of sun, the marinade and the llicorella (slate) that enriches its soils have been the determining factors for the growth of grapes of such disparate species as the cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay or merlot , among others.
Thanks to the Romans the olive tree and the vine They spread throughout the entire region, forming the unique landscape of the towns of the Costa Daurada. They already knew of the privileged climate and the unique soils of this part of Tarragona. Over the years, there was at the end of the 19th century a boom in the wine sector and many modernist style wineries appeared, which definitively marked the Costa Daurad on the map of good wines . We can find up to seven appellations of origin in this land, distributed in wineries that make our trip to the Costa Daurada a true pleasure for the senses.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN THE BAIX PENEDÈS
Undoubtedly, Penedès is one of the most recognized and prestigious appellations of origin in the Catalan territory. With a cultivation area of more than 25,000 hectares s covers up to 16 municipalities in the province of Tarragona, with white grape production predominating over the rest.
And among all the grapes that grow from its vines, three fundamentally stand out: : Parellada, Macabeo and Xarelo , the latter being one of the most characteristic. We discover fruity and dry wines in the Penedès, full of personality and that delight wine lovers and the curious. That is why the activities on our trip to the Costa Daurada multiply here, as many wineries offer tastings, bike rides through the vineyards, visit museums or taste typical products of the region.
One of the necessary stops must be made without a doubt at ** Cellers Avgvstvs Forvm ** (Ctra. Sant Vicenç, s/n, El Vendrell). Located on the remains of the Via Augusta that linked (along with the Via Domitia) Rome with all the Roman cities of the Mediterranean Until reaching Gades (Cádiz), this winery is the perfect place for a getaway from which you will not want to return.
Mont-Roig del Camp
The Mediterranean breeze (just 3 kilometers away) caresses its farmland offering a unique microclimate that favors the production of incredible wines . This winery also offers the unique experience of a tasting of vinegars and perfect pairings of wines and cheeses. And if we talk about pairings, they even dare with it chocolate . A marvel.
THE LANDSCAPE OF THE GENIUSES
Culture is the axis on which everything turns on the Costa Daurada. A trip through these vineyards with sea views allows you to discover the passage of great geniuses of our art and thought who lived in this part of Catalonia. Four great geniuses are strongly linked to this part of Tarragona, making up one of the most exciting curiosities on this trip along the Costa Daurada: ** The Landscape of the Geniuses .**
We have not left the town of The Vendrell since right here is where we hear the cello melodies of the great Paul Casals, the city where he was born. We have come close to Pau Casals Villa Museum , the summer house where the musician was inspired so many times. This Museum reveals the escapades that the musician made to his hometown, the place where he composed some pieces, with open days where music is always the protagonist.
Pau Casals Villa Museum
Another stop on the Landscape of Geniuses focuses on the painter Joan Miro . Miró spent long periods of his life in his family's farmhouse in the town of Mont-Roig del Camp Here we discover the “Emotional landscape of Joan Miró ”, the places of the town that Miró portrayed and that make us feel the inspiration of the artist very closely. The landscape of Mont-Roig del Camp was one of the keys to the artist's unprecedented success.
The presence of Antonio Gaudi we feel it very closely when we move to the town of Reus . The icon of modernist architecture left his mark on Reus and can be discovered by following his own footsteps in the Gaudi Center . It is the interpretation center of the life and work of the Catalan genius, the place where the world of Gaudí undresses before the curious and travellers. And as a bonus, an aperitif at the Vermouth Museum. A simply perfect plan.
The fourth genius of this fantastic route is Pablo Picasso, that he spent two seasons of his life in the town of Horta de Sant Joan . Picasso himself claimed that everything he knew he had learned in Horta, a beautiful medieval town located between Catalonia and Aragon. In addition to an immense heritage declared Well of Cultural Interest , Horta de Sant Joan was the painter's inspiration, painting more than 70 pieces there. The Center Picasso brings together the reproductions of all the works that the painter from Malaga did in this town. An experience that you have to live at least once in your life.
Horta de Sant Joan, the inspiration of Picasso