DO Pla de Bages, wine history at the foot of Montserrat

Bages is a region known for its wine production.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
22 May 2023 Monday 14:56
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DO Pla de Bages, wine history at the foot of Montserrat

Bages is a region known for its wine production. Although it is not known exactly when the cultivation of the vine began, the author of the medieval manuscript "Miracula Sancti Benedicti" suggested that the name Bages originated from Bacus, the Roman god of wine (from Baco came Bacasis and finally Bages).

What we do know is that the first signs of winemaking activity in this area date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC.

They are inscriptions and amphoras that are currently preserved in a museum in the region. The Muslim invasion paralyzed the winemaking activity in the area, until the situation improved from the 9th century.

The monastery of Sant Benet de Bages played a fundamental role in the development of viticulture and the wine trade in the region. The DO Pla de Bages was created in 1995 and currently has 15 wineries that produce quality wines with native varieties such as picapoll.

In any case, proof of the production of this DO is the amount of avant-garde and traditional wines that the area offers.

We propose the following:

Artium Cabernets 2018 from Celler Cooperatiu d’Artés:

The winemaking tradition of this winery has been passed down from generation to generation, and today, Celler Cooperatiu D'Artés continues to be a family business committed to producing high-quality wines and cavas.

The name of the proposal that we bring you today, Artium, is the Roman name for Artés.

Cabernet blend, a classic aged for 18 months in oak barrels.

On the nose, the aroma of the typical vegetation of the Pla de Bages is perceived, as well as milky notes and a soft toasted wood. On the palate, it is a mature wine, with a lot of volume and a long journey.

In addition, its aftertaste is pleasant and velvety. It is ideal to enjoy alone or to pair with a good entrecote or traditional stews. The recommended service temperature is 18ºC.

La Rasa 2019 of Can Serra dels Exibis:

Exibis was born with the desire to recover the singular historical character of the wines of the area, with a clear commitment to old varieties such as Sumoll and Mandó, combined with Cabernet Sauvignon.

His La Rasa 2019 wine symbolizes the future of the DO Pla de Bages. It is a deep garnet-colored wine with flashes of reddish vivacity.

In aroma it slowly awakens with notes of cherry, red fruits and an outstanding rustic atmosphere given by the sumoll and the mandó that present withered rose and fallen leaves.

In the mouth, each variety contributes its personality in a structured set that surprises by giving certain sensations of emptiness at the same time. The meatiness of the Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the middle of the mouth.

Ideal for dishes accompanied by potatoes, grilled vegetables or mushrooms. A well-cured cheese and sausages from the land.

Ba-Roc 2021 by Celler Mond Obert:

Committed to the land they work and the wine culture of their surroundings, Mond Obert has a 100% organic cultivation of its vineyards. In addition to caring for the environment, this winery is proud of its star varieties such as Picapoll Blanc and Gewürztraminer, being the only producer that cultivates the latter in the D.O. Pla de Bages.

Celler Mond Obert's Ba-roc Wine is the winery's first red wine, with a clean and bright ruby ​​red color. Its aroma is intense, with notes of ripe red and black fruit such as cherries, plums and figs.

This wine has a slight aging in the barrel, which gives it the necessary structure to make it a very broad and sweet wine. It is ideal to accompany grilled meats and cured cheeses.

You can purchase this selection of 6 bottles at www.gourmetlavanguardia.com or by calling 935 500 105.