This week we have started with the pruning of the vines, a very important process that will determine the quality of the grape, and as a consequence the quality of the wine of the next harvest. That is why we can affirm that pruning is one of the most important tasks carried out in the vineyards throughout the year. But … What does it really mean to prune?

It deals with a meticulous job that consists of cutting the ramifications of the strain to prevent it from growing in an uncontrolled way. The period to do it goes from mid-November to the end of February (depending on the area and the vine-grower). This is the best period because it is when the vine goes into winter recess, that is, it minimizes its activity.

The objective of pruning is to leave an optimal number of buds to obtain a good quality of grapes in the future harvest.

The plant of the vine is not as we are used to seeing it in the vineyards. It is really a long-branched shrub that grows by clinging to other trees and distributes its fruits in a completely random way. Therefore, pruning is essential to control the plant, but also to shape it we regulate the production and ensure a good harvest.

In short, pruning is one of the most important operations for the subsequent obtaining of good grapes, and a good balance of sugars and acidity in ripening and will define many aspects of the next harvest.

Meanwhile we are traveling to Russia, to promote our entire range of Lacrima Baccus, we also decided to focus on Poland, to find an importer.

So, we loaded the batteries for our final stretch, and almost at the end of a year full of surprises, novelties, illusions and maybe disappointments, we boarded the plane for another adventure.

Our export team, after a team meeting about the evaluation of this proposal, decided to take into consideration the participation of Fair Enoexpo in Krakow, in its 16th edition, through Prodeca regarding the dates 7th, 8th and 9th of November .

As the times of the fair were very marked, we did not have time to visit the city, that, although we know very well, it leaves us breathless every time.

The first day we realized that the influx of the public was good, with a large participation of end customers, bloggers, journalists, sommeliers, wine-enthusiasts and restaurants. A tasting of Summum was carried out through Acció, together with the other wines from the Prodeca stands, addressed to the public and, in part, to a prominent Polish sommelier.

The second day was developed in the same way, around many wine lovers and wine enthusiasts, we were grateful and proud to share our products with people who truly appreciated the cava, our land and our heritage.

Only the third day we realized the high influx of visitors, including importers, some more than others interested in samples of our varied range.

Our reflection is undoubtedly related to a very personal, almost sentimental aspect. If we think about when our adventure began a few years ago and where we have arrived, we are satisfied with the work that we are developing little by little.

Despite the results, the fair has not been a goal, but an important starting point for our winery, which wants to challenge itself more and more. The demonstration of our actions is evidently shown by all those who receive them in the first person every day, and they are shared by our customers, our distributors … and all of you.

It is time to visit Russia, more specifically Perm which is located on the slopes of the Urals and is considered the last city in Europe. While the whole world is sure that Europe ends in Perm, its inhabitants are convinced of the opposite: Europe is just beginning here. A mixture of ethnics and different somatic traits, contrasted traditions. Perm, place of refuge of Tsar Michail Romanov, an inspiration for Pasternak in his Doctor Zhivago where Perm hides behind the name of the city Jurjatin and also place of the Soviet gulags, is unique in its style and history. Čechov defined Perm very boring and too hot in summer, we defined it as fascinating, almost addictive and in the middle of two contrasting Europe. Perm was a very important industrial center in the past. According to local legend, the inhabitants of the Russian city of Perm had salty ears. Being an industrial capital near some of the largest metal and salt mines, it was said that the workers had taken to Perm so many bags of salt behind them that a salty layer had stuck to their skin. However, for some years the city has been striving to get rid of this image of industrial capital of Russia to obtain a new recognition: to be the capital of culture. But we ask ourselves, can a powerful industrial city, full of factories and forests, become the brilliant capital of literature, music and contemporary art? The inhabitants of Perm are sure of their strengths and their cultural heritage, so they use all their skills to achieve this goal. They proudly exhibit their wooden gods or bronze medallions in “animal style”, claiming their indigenous ancestry. We also toured the city with an illustrious guide, the collaborator of the University of Perm, Alexander Shchepetkov, a wise geographer and a lover of Soviet architecture and literature, an art enthusiast in all its manifestations, a a multifaceted man, so brilliant that we were completely spellbound by his stories, so much that we do not want to end this wonderful journey together. We discover the city until its secrets and more recondite anecdotes, wanting to get lost in so much culture and mystery.

Natalya Troyanova, Manager of Semya supermarket chains, gave us a unique opportunity, the possibility of knowing the city and its origins, and after this inexplicable journey, Natalya took us to visit Semya’s largest supermarkets, in different parts of Perm. We were speechless when we noticed that every 400 meters there was a Semya supermarket, almost all open 24 hours. We were also impressed to see that this so young Manager, directed a special affection and helped us impeccably in our visits and master class with an innate sweetness and passion for her extraordinary job. The role of Manager Galina Aristova was the most fundamental. She was like the director of a concert that takes place in a wonderful theater, she marked the times and the duration of our explanations, due to our busy schedule. A determined, pragmatic woman who did not stay calm until she heard the last word of our presentation, only at that moment she relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.

Our presence was important for the formation of the team of store managers about the cava culture, its origin, its elaboration process our regulatory regulations and our classifications, in comparison from the point of view of elaborating other products like the Schaumweine of Germany and the Prosecco. Russians are always curious, always well informed and previously ready for all situations. Russia is a country where culture is a central component in the lives of people, you only need to see the amount of theaters and museums frequented by schools with very young children.

We carried out our presentations using our audiovisual materials, our power point presentations and …a lot of fun and empathy with the audience of participants. Semya is a reference, We would almost say a lifestyle. People walk through the streets with ecological bags of straws, as if they feel represented by the philosophy of this enterprise. The sales team works with many promotions, taking care of the range of products up to the last detail.

As regards the promotion of wines and cavas, they dispose of an online list. The sommelier and expert Evgenij Sazonov together with Yulia Shipiguzova deals with the most important decision: to choose wines. The option of having the online letter is not at all banal. Consumers are between 23 and 50 years old and very often use their mobile phones and computers, so they prefer to rely on technology, avoiding paper abuse and having less impact on the environment and avoiding the incentive to alcohol consumption at all times. The most successful cava for the clients, according to a market study, turn out to be our semi dry Lacrima Baccus (women adore the sweet aromas), Heretat de Lacrima Baccus and Summum brut and in all the stores, they are ALWAYS on the front line, with a good visibility, reason of pride for our winery. Following our program, we visited, with much encouragement in the heart and little in the body, due to the -8 degrees, two restaurants of high standard of the city which are called Chin chin and Gastroport, two MUST of the city. The attendees to our presentations left the restaurants with very good feelings and, above all, with happy memories of our visit. This trip in a city perhaps forgotten by tourists, has opened our eyes about the different facets of Russia, about its inhabitants, great lovers of bubbles and about its expansive and warm behavior, the opposite of the typical Russian climate, very cold and penetrating. We cannot wait so long, we would like to come back very soon and describe more.

Everything began on 10^th of October in New York with the APVSA’s mission of penetration of the US market, alone, but accompanied by our most characteristic and representative cavas, which seem to take shape and keep us company in the moments of long and exhausting journeys. Sometimes, it seems that our cavas have a soul of their own and that with the tinkle, caused by the movement of the bottles, they want to communicate their enthusiasm in our adventure.

New York, a city that captivates us every time we cross its trafficked streets, between the beauty of the apex of the Empire State Building, the imposing Flatiron Building, the labyrinthine Rockefeller Centre, the magnificence of the Statue of Liberty, the endless avenue Broadway and the romantic Brooklyn Bridge, which was crossed for the first time by President Chester Arthur, Governor Grover Cleveland and Emilie Roebling, wife of the son of the first chief engineer of the project. It was thanks to the reins of this woman that the work was completed, facing the prevailing machismo at the time.

In this frenetic, cosmopolitan and philanthropic environment, our team had the opportunity to meet many distributors … the results? Very good acceptance by many distributors, some being astonished by the elegant and refined sumptuousness and integration of the bubbles, others more skeptical, showing difficulties to understand how to propose the cava as a product in its preparation, complexity and origin.
The second stop was in the city of Chicago, home to the wind, blues and jazz music and skyscrapers. Mark Twain wrote: “It is impossible for an occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago, and it grows and develops faster than the prophecies concerning it.” More than a century later, his words still sound very real.

Among distributors, influencer and blogger we felt very comfortable and well accepted, seeing even more possibilities of entrance in the market.
Next stop was Miami, the charming city of relax and fun, an international financial and cultural centre.
Being a centre of cultural and linguistic links between North America, South America and the Caribbean, it is also called “the capital of the Americas”. For Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams it was a place to be calm and relaxed, thanks to its tropical climate and its Caribbean beaches, but also an inspiration. Not in vain, Hemingway wrote his only novel written in the United States, “To Have and Not to Have”, in a beautiful little house in Spanish colonial style.

The dynamics of market penetration here were a little more different. Our team, very motivated by the warm and sunny days and the proximity of the people, who made this city take a piece of our hearts, visited many restaurants and specialized shops, due to the high tourism of the city. Armed with patience and vigour of spirit, with the enthusiasm of those, who always want to obtain the best results, we get good future prospects, apart from the memories of all those who devoted their time to taste and understand our products.
A simply unforgettable trip. The human kind intrigues us in its totality and complexity, we enjoy the fact that people know us, but even more we enjoy the privilege of finding these people who by fatalist chance cross our ways. During this process of knowledge we talk to them not only about our products, but also, moved by the typical natural inclination, about our experience, our lives …

The end of the harvest is the end of a great emotional tension.

The grapes are now in the tanks, ready to ferment and we know that it is time to clean the tools used to harvest and let them rest, for a year, in a remote corner of the cellar and rinse the boxes stained red, because of the skins of the harvested red grape. The collection is one of those instants that stops time and marks it. End of August, September and October are months of frenetic pace and intense work. The tractors decelerate and move at a slow and linear pace crossing the main roads. In this time everything is permitted, even the most demanding drivers, are less intransigent and patient because, although in a hidden and inexpressive way, the hearts of people are sensitive to beauty and the revealing power of nature, which again, has delighted with the fruits of his land.

The end of the harvest is a celebration and, at the same time, a theatrical performance imbued with poetry. The oenologist, with his experience, is the orchestra conductor of this great “pièce” that reached the end, and the winemakers and technicians are the dancers of this pantomime, who, with their repetitive and agitated movements, arrive at the apotheosis moment: the end, the confrontation and the manifestation of the evidence of what happened in the vineyards.

Nowadays, differently from what happened in the past, in the collective imagination the end of the harvest is experienced as a moment of change: the prodigious transformation of solid matter into precious liquid, after fatigue to achieve it.

The winery returns now to its calm, the fermentations advance in an apparent immobility that hides a deep mystery (it is only at the end of this process that we can have a real idea of ​​the harvest), the vineyard begins its deserved rest with its already golden leaves and the sunset advances every day more.

The responsible work carried out by our brilliant team, previously carried out and mainly aimed at preserving the health and future development of our ecological vineyards, allowed us to collect a large part of the productive potential of these. The grapes reached the correct degree of maturity, enjoying good health: in fact, the samples analyzed were considered adequate for the production of outstanding base wines for the consequent obtaining of excellent Cava Reserva. Our celler obtained a good quality of Garnacha, Macabeo, Pinot Noir and Xarello, although the Parellada variety had less production in terms of quantity, showing itself, in any case, well structured and with a good potential to develop.

Hungarian culture is one of the richest cultures known in Europe. Hungary is a nation that for decades has been supervised by the Soviet influence, but nowadays, freed from this heavy burden, it is a very proud Country, which wants to show the world its tradition and its folklore, without forgetting to announce the magnificence of its cultural and artistic heritage.

The mission organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Terrassa and planned by the expert in International Trade Montse Llimos Torres had a positive feedback and we obtained discrete results. In addition to our team, a Novell coffee commercial and a commercial of industrial machine joined the market’s mission in Hungary.

Keep in mind that Hungary is a very difficult market to penetrate; we have to consider that strategically, it deals with a very central key-country that borders Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. For our brand is crucial to be present, but we should bear in mind that, apart from its political situation, Hungary is a quite protectionist country. The most important sectors in this country are the secondary and tertiary sector (machinery, services, technology).

As far as the wine sector is concerned, it should be noted that in the last years, Hungary has experienced a gradual growth, but also a reduction in the volume of imports and an increase in exports, being a reference country in the wine sector with its production of Tokaji. The Hungarian government and the companies themselves invest in advertising campaigns and use different means to attract attention to local wines.

The price factor for the Hungarian market is decisive and it is considered that the quality-price ratio of Spanish wine is better than that of Hungarian; at this point, we can affirm that Spanish wine is more competitive and we have to take advantage from this. Another reason for the presence of Spanish wines is the fact that it considerably increases the offer in a country where wine is a traditionally part of gastronomy. The Spanish white wines are emerging in recent years compared to the consolidated red wines, especially those from the Rioja appellation of origin.

Cava is a slightly delicate product to treat, since Germany and Austria are the biggest importers and since sparkling wines are produced there. Anyway, our export team met different distributors of the capital, proposing its brand and explaining exhaustively the product portfolio, and especially its vision and business values.

We patiently wait for feedback from them, after having sent our products as samples!

On behalf of the entire export team, we thank for the attention received during the cocktail at the Zenit hotel in Budapest in honor of our presence at the mission. Major Sandor from the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Hungary took care of the organization of our agenda with professionalism and patience, the market analyst Tibor and the commercial economic advisor of the Embassy of Spain in Budapest Susana de Ibarrondo Guerrilla Echevarria were unique and nice.

On Saturday 15^th of September, it was the right time to harvest manually our red Garnacha. A grape variety of medium-early maturation that stands out for its great capacity of resistance to extreme temperatures and adaptation to poor soils.

A very versatile variety that confers good body and primary aromas such as wild fruits, roasted nuts and black cherries, features that will be the protagonists of our future wines and cavas.

This year, Penedès verified a more Atlantic climatology than a Mediterranean one, with the consequent problems related to this situation. Mildew, the disease most feared by vine growers who work in the vineyards near the sea, was the most dangerous problem in the DO Penedès. As regards our Lacrima Baccus winery, we rejected part of the production to continue guaranteeing the same level of quality and high standards to our consumers, an indisputable priority of our company.

The rains of February and, especially of March, marked the microclimate of Penedès. The spring temperatures were lower than usual and this became an advantage, slowing down the spread of the disease. The mildew moved silently without showing its typical signs and, as soon as it had occasion, attacked with severity.

Acting quickly, our team was able to extinguish the plague by carrying out a proper planning of the phytosanitary treatments and intense work of vegetation management.

The time of the harvest of the Garnacha have been decided based on phenolic maturation, so we opted for these dates and for a cool and endless night for our team of technicians, who works frantically. This image of industriousness will remain engraved on our heads; it seemed that there was a multitude of ants striving uninterruptedly in groups so that everything went as well as possible. The work of a year played an important role in this moment and only as a team and with an adequate planning of the tasks, we can achieve the optimal results expected.

Next weekend, around 22^nd of September, it is planned to begin the collection of the Parellada, of later maturation. A variety whose cluster is very large, with very marked shoulders, homogeneous berries and whose primary aromas are fruity notes of white fruit, highlighting the citrus and floral touches. As usual, the collection will be done manually and at night, in this way, thanks to the low temperatures, the fermentation does not start without our control.

Harvest means trembling leaves tending to the colors of autumn, golden or orange colors and hearts hunched and hopeful. With the beginning of autumn and the first rains, the moist soil mixes its aromas with the aromas of ripe grapes. The wind sweeps great white clouds, which contrast with the intense blue sky. The atmosphere is cheerful; the harvest is a tradition that is repeated every year, with the unaltered peasant spirit, typical of our region.

2018 has been a rainy year especially in spring, more specifically in the month of March, where the data mark a high rainfall. From the agronomic point of view, the development of the vineyards, initiated under the best auspices, was conditioned by a strange climate that altered the frosts, the rains and the humidity. Therefore, it will be the year in which the capacity of our winemaker will make a difference in the result.

The recent lowering of temperatures has helped to increase the good quality of the grape and its maturation, after a long period of excessive heat. This has allowed the ripening cycle to slow down to ensure a good harvest development.

Due to the weather conditions that our vineyards have suffered, a reduction in the harvest is expected, which will not affect the quality. In fact, the grape enjoys a great balance between freshness and maturity. The phytosanitary status is optimal and we hope that by dedicating the appropriate efforts and pampering each grain of the cluster with the same affection, we will obtain excellent wines and cavas. The harvest, which began on August 11th, seems definitely better than last year, where the drought had staged the entire vintage.

Prague is the most breathtaking capital of Eastern Europe, a city that has been reborn in recent years after decades of darkness.

The castle is what stands out most, a majestic building visible from all corners of Prague next to the cathedral that is inside the walls of the castle itself, an important example of the Gothic architecture, which characterizes the capital.

What surprises most is the beauty of the Charles Bridge, where you can admire the famous statues of the saints. A place impregnated with magic, whose legend tells that at night its statues come alive to take care of the children of the Kampa Island.

Our advice is to leave the map of the city in the hotel, free the mind and get lost in the poetry of its alleys, living fully in the charm of the city.

Our export team did in this way and, apart from visiting its distributor and its final customers, enjoyed its way through the old streets of the capital.

The aim of our travel was to visit our distributor Alifea. Martin Bily, the owner, a true simple winemaker, humble and a lover of quality, organized for the members of his wine club a tasting. In the same moment, the sommelier of the importer was in the German embassy in Prague flavoring his products in company of consuls, secretaries and advisers.

Martin often organizes tasting activities with an audience of 50 people at most. He prefers that only few people take part in these types of events, in this way the treatment is closer, familiar, the confrontation takes place without fear and there is an opportunity to exchange opinions between experts and not, without presumption. The event was organized impeccably. Two tables, one to the first floor and another in the second where the following wineries presented the products:

Lacrima Baccus, with Heretat brut y Lacrima Baccus Brut Rosé, Pelins, I feudi di Romans , Bodegas Navajas, Domaine Schoffit, Bodegas volcanes de Chile, Domaine Joel Delaunay, Cave Pilot de Gallician, Peter Zemmer, La Smilla Gavi, Weingut Hoffranzen.

We had the opportunity to meet all the guests, who were very surprised to see a representative of a winery, a day during the week, in Prague at 18.00 o’ clock!

Prague is a city in expansion, very cosmopolitan with a strong tourism. Martin has only worked with us for 4 months, but he does an excellent job as brand ambassador, due to his passion and fervor. He always has a wine glass in his hand and never tires of tasting, listening and learning and … obviously, he consults his sommelier at all times.

We have another important event scheduled for September with a forecast of 1,000 people.

Martin is a perfectionist man and he is loyal, not only in terms of price quality, but also in creating magical moments and unforgettable experiences, pampering the costumers all the time. For this reason, the export team supports him, whenever he needs. We are convinced of a lasting and consolidated relationship with the Alifea group.

Rossorubino is a wine bar in the city of Turin, in northern Italy, with more than 1600 references and an important focus on which kind of wines and grape varieties the Piemonte region offers. Since 2003, this specialized wine shop is the meeting place for those, who in Turin make wine a pleasure and a passion.

Turin is a youthful and cosmopolitan city, full of charm and surprises, not only for tourists but also for residents. It offers multiple attractions among museums, gastronomy, historic venues, parks and amazing panoramas. Capital of art, culture and innovation and with the dynamism of an open-minded city, it provides unique architectural and monumental buildings.

Seriousness and professionalism is what you breathe as soon as you enter the store. The protagonists of this frequented wine bar are Andrea, artistic director, great connoisseur and winemaker, tireless lover of the noble Pinot noir of Burgundy and Barolo and Barbaresco de la Langa and Edoardo, the pragmatic one with his feet on the ground, who loves the bubbles. Secretly, he revealed to us that our Lacrima Baccus Cava has become since two years the star product of his house, the perfect companion of the most beautiful moments of reunion and celebration with his family. These words encouraged us very much!

The feeling they gave was very positive, they are real pioneer and they persevere in order to extend their enterprise and realize their ambitious projects. Andrea and Edoardo dreams to achieve them without hesitation in a very short period, for this reason we love their energy, their positivism, their search for the best quality and their ability to adapt our portfolio to the market.

This attitude is demonstrated by the fact that in May 2015, apart from a restyling that updated the Rossorubino in a version that today we would call 2.0, the team decided to implement a 30mq kitchen, where new sensations are experienced. The place of the vivacious colors and the perfume of wines is part of the project of creating a location, where a nice environment stimulates the emotions and sensations. Slates, plays of lights and transparencies and the vivid red color of the walls are integrated with the warmth of the wood, creating a sober and cozy atmosphere.

The structure of the shop is very well studied and raised with a subdivision by typology, starting with bubbles (champagne, spumanti, prosecco and, obviously CAVA!) and following with red wines from Piemonte and those from other regions like Valle d’Aosta until the deep Sicily. We do not forget to say that the center of the store is a space dedicated to spirits and sweet wines.

On 5^th May, from 11.30 a.m to 22:00 p.m, the great team of Rossorubino organized a seminar entitled “We talk about cava, or better, we taste it” and presented our range of product.
The success was outstanding and Edoardo, who is not usually very open and communicative, did not stop sending us What’s app messages with pictures of empty bottles, making us feel an active part of this event, although 800 km far away.

Motivated and very satisfied with the deep bond that we have with them, we desire to see all the components of this magnificent and dynamic team soon; savoring our cava, trusting in their advice and making us take away from their suggestion and their cuisine.

Pictures: visititaly.com, rossorubino.net