Wine, Almonds and Hiking in Spain

Hiking in Spain is absolutely beautiful. In addition to our food and wine adventures this trip, we’ve gone on several hikes. Starting in Barcelona, you’ve got Montserrat, a short train ride from the city. From this monastery dating back a few hundred years, (who’s counting centuries!) you have magnificent views of the surrounding area. Depending on your preference, you can take an easy stroll or a long, strenuous hike lasting hours, the latter, our choice.

You can also wonder through the city to various sights, i.e., Sagarada Familia and parks (Park
Guell) which we did daily. Montjuic is a excellent choice if you want to remain in the city but need a break from it’s hussel and bussel. Views of the city, beach and port are staggering from Montjuik.
Next, you’ve got the “GR” (Grand Randonee) hiking trails.

Throughout Europe, they are marked with a red and white stripe. We also came upon a second local trail system in the Priorat wine region marked with a yellow and white stripe. Often times the two systems would cross or hook up common trails.
At the tourist office in Falset, the Priorat’s wine hub, you may be greeted by an energetic, late 20-something man who’s mission is to complete the documentation and mapping of the local trails. He’s personally hiked most of them, making sure they are adequately marked.
We wanted to combine wine tasting with hiking thus picked a recommended trail starting in La Vilella Alta.

Along the way you pass an old Hermitage then drop down into La Vilella Baixa where Buil & Giné winery is located 100 meters off the trail.

While it’s necessary to call ahead for most winery visits, Buil & Giné is open on a walk in basis daily. They also have a modern restaurant for lunch or a small bite where you can purchase a glass of their wine to suit your style. Their grenache based dry rose knocked our socks off.
Hiking that day, we encountered fig and almond trees growing in the countryside. Not just one here and there but lots, full of fruit.

The almonds have furry skin which cracks and shrinks while drying, kind of like my skin feels when I go to dry climates. We grabbed a few and checked them out.



Turns out many of these are “Marcona” almonds for which Spain is known. Flatter, a bit wider and more flavorful than the most common Nonpareil almond, grape growing farmers turned to almonds, hazelnuts, olives and figs in the early 1900’s due to grapes being wiped out by the vine louse, Phyloxera. Grape replanting started in the 1950’s but lots of the nut, fruit and olive trees were left scattered about (lucky for me!).
I highly recommend this hike for anyone heading to the Priorat. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours each way and is well worth it.
Dinner that night on our patio at Mas Ardevol Pension:

Baguette, fresh local tomatoes and goat cheese, hand picked figs and almonds, Serrano ham and Buil & Géne Dry Rose. Simplicity at it’s best followed by an amazing sunset!