One spring evening during our Ribera del Duero explorations we sat down with SweetEasy's Sinisa Curavic for a Master Class on Vermouth. Given Sinisa's passion for Vermouth our WineMine travelers were happy to participate. Our class focused on Pradó & Co Vermouth from Tarragona, Spain.
Prado & Co Vermouth Master Class, Hotel La Vida © Spaswinefood
Pradó & Co Vermouth Master Class
That evening back at the hotel Sinisa gave us Pradó & Co Vermouth Master Class before dinner. Vermouth is an aromatized fortified wine, flavored with various botanicals and sometimes is colored. Vermouth is a common cocktail ingredient, particularly in martinis and Manhattans. When vermouth is drunk by itself, which is uncommon outside of Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France, it is normally consumed as an apéritif. In addition to Vermouth being consumed as an aperitif or cocktail ingredient, it is sometimes used in cooking.
It was a delight for me to revisit Pradó & Co Vermouth wines. I was first introduced to Padró & Co. Vermouth during a 2018 #winelover Costa Daurada outing.
Prado & Co Vermouth © Spaswinefood
Briefly, Vermouth is made by a unique infusion of aromatic herbs, then aged in barrels before bottling (for more info see Wine Folly). Some of the herbs from all over the world that are used by Padró & Co were on display during my earlier visit to their winery. |
| Aromatic Herbs, Padró & Co © Spaswinefood, 2018 |
Amongst the aromatic herbs I spotted was ground cardamon from Guatemala. |
Cardamon from Guatemala, Padró & Co © Spaswinefood, 2018 |
One Ribera del Duero Evening it was Time for Vermouth
The wines we tasted that evening included:
1. Padró & Co, Blanco Reserva Vermouth, Spain
Pradó & Co, Blanco Reserva Vermouth, Spain © Spaswinefood
Pradó & Co Blanco Reserva Vermouth © Spaswinefood
2. Pradó & Co, Rojo Clásico Vermouth, Spain
Pradó & Co, Rojo Clásico Vermouth © Spaswinefood
3. Pradó & Co, Reserva Especial Vermouth, Spain
Pradó & Co, Reserva Especial Vermouth © Spaswinefood
Pradó & Co, Reserva Especial Vermouth © Spaswinefood
4. Pradó & Co, Rojo Amarco Vermouth
Pradó & Co, Rojo Amarco Vermouth © Spaswinefood
Pradó & Co, Rojo Amarco Vermouth © Spaswinefood
These four vermouths represented a variation in style. Historically, vermouth was only made in sweet and dry styles. In response to demand vermouth manufacturers have created additional styles such as, extra-dry white, sweet white, red, amber, rosé etc. Pradó & Co offers a wide variety of vermouth styles. I would like to note that given vermouth is fortified, an opened bottle will not deteriorate quickly. It is recommend opened bottles of vermouth however, be consumed within one to three months. In addition, after opening they should be refrigerated to slow oxidation.
While vermouth is sometimes used in cooking it can also be paired with various dishes. Some of the plates served during our tasting included:
Artichoke Platter © Spaswinefood
Fried Fish Platter © Spaswinefood
Fish Platter © Spaswinefood
Vegetable Platter © Spaswinefood
For sure, in addition to exploring Ribera Del Duero wines, it was fantastic to do Pradó & Co Vermouth Master Class. Our host Sinisa Curavic, SweetEasy has a passion for Vermouth. This opportunity to learn more is something I appreciate.
I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Spain and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my recent vine-filled explorations in Spain.
CHEERS!
Sharon
May 2023
Ribera del Duero, Spain
© Spaswinefood
Table Waiting © Spaswinefood
Ribera del Duero Springtime Travels with WineMine Friends © Spaswinefood
Ribero del Duero Poppies © Spaswinefood
I still remember an earlier visit to Prado & Co. in February 2018. Below is an earlier post describing that visit.
Under the Catalan Sun
Under the Catalan sun we stood, as the February sun cast shadows upon the rows upon rows of wine bottles. We had come to explore behind the cellar door at Padró & Co. Vermouth. But first, let me share a few of those shadow photos before I take you behind the cellar door on our #winelover Costa Daurada Padró & Co. outing.
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#Winelovers Casting Shadows, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood
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| Winelover Shadows, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
Behind the Cellar Door
It was mid-day when we arrived in Bráfim, Tarragona. The daylight was just perfect as we walked down the street towards the winery entrance. Without doubt it was a beautiful February day.
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#Winelovers, Bráfim, Tarragona © Spaswinefood
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The stunning colors of the buildings on that day certainly caught my attention.
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| Behind the Cellar Door, Bráfim © Spaswinefood |
I stood there in anticipation, as the mystery behind the cellar door was about to be shared.
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| Cellar Door, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
Taking a look behind a closed door has never ceased to amaze me. My past experiences have taught that there is much beauty behind a wall.
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| #Winelovers at the Door, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
Once the cellar door opened it was time to take a look around.
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| First Look, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
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Further On, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood
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| Looking Back, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
The sights behind the wall are always exciting for me.
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| Table Waiting, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
We gathered in the courtyard to be greeted by our hosts.
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| Arrival, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
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| Welcome to Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
Before the winery tour began, we were offered a welcoming glass of Vermouth.
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| Vermouth Tasting, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
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| Vermouth, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
I managed to catch two of my #winelover friends tasting a white Vermouth.
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| White & Red Vermouth © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelovers, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
After the tour we tasted both white and red Vermouth wines. I found myself preferring the dry white and bitter red Vermouth wines.
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| Padró & Co. Wine Barrels © Spaswinefood |
Touring a Vermouth Winery
Our tour began in the outdoor barrel area.
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| Overview of Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelovers, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
I could not stop looking around. While I have visited many wineries throughout the world, this was Spaswinefood's first visit to a Vermouth winery. There was, and still is, so much for me to learn about the making of Vermouth.
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| Discovering Vermouth at Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
The details of how Vermouth is made was shared during our tour. Briefly, Vermouth is made by a unique infusion of aromatic herbs, then aged in barrels before bottling (for more info see Wine Folly). Some of the herbs from all over the world that are used by Padró & Co. were on display.
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| Aromatic Herbs, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
Amongst the aromatic herbs I spotted was ground cardamon from Guatemala.
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| Cardamon from Guatemala, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
Next, some aromatic herbs were on display for us to smell.
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| Display of Aromatic Herbs © Spaswinefood |
I also smelled the aromas from the orange peels hung to dry.
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| Orange Peel Drying © Spaswinefood |
Further on, there were many infusions made with the aromatic herbs.
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| Infusions © Spaswinefood |
There was a still on display.
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| Still, Infusions and Photos © Spaswinefood |
Besides viewing the displays of how the Vermouth is made, the history of the winery was also posted on the walls.
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| #Winelovers on Tour, Padró & Co. © Spaswinefood |
While the historical photos got my attention, I have since learned that the Padró family started winemaking in 1866 in Bráfim, Tarragona. During the second generation the family expanded its operations, moving to a larger premise at the present winery site. They also added buildings and a warehouse. The third and fourth generation continued to make changes in the overall operation at the winery over time. Today, the fifth generation, continues to follow their ancestors philosophy while utilizing modern winemaking processes and technology.
While touring the winery I did take a peek out the window.
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| Through the Window © Spaswinefood |
After the tour we returned to the courtyard for a mid-day snack and to continue the vermouth tasting.  |
| Padró & Co. Courtyard © Spaswinefood |
Visitors to Costa Daurada should know that is well worth taking the time to discover what is behind the cellar door at Padró & Co. It was a great introduction to Vermouth for me. This #winelover would like to thank our host Sinisa Curavic, SweetEasy and the sponsors of this Costa Daurada #Winelover 6th Anniversary event. The organization was truly outstanding. I invite you to join me in my explorations of Costa Daurada and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
February 2018
Tarragona, Spain
© Spaswinefood
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| Padró & Co. Vermouth © Spaswinefood |
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