Montsant and Priorat are unashamedly, one of the most prestigious wine growing regions in Europe, yet their fantastic output is largely unknown to the wider wine squaffing confraternities.

XIV Fira de Vi, Tarragona

The Fira de Vin in Tarragona, now in its fourteen’s edition, is in full swing on the Rambla which presently looks like a big party venue. This in not some stuffy nose in the glass event but a full on celebration of the fantastic wines this region has to offer.

Pernil Iberic at Lola Tapes

Lola Tapes is a small but gutsy eatery set at Placa de la Font and, despite having only opened a year ago, they have already become a bit of a local gastro cult.

We ordered the Tuesday ‘para picar’ (to nibble) special which came in four platters, the first being a sensational Pernil Iberic Bellota, Berher which won the price in 2007 /2010 as the of the IFFA Delicat of best raw ham in the world.  This was matched by a genial variation of the Pan de Tomate you usually get here, consisting of a pizza thin, light ciabatta base lightly doused with peppery green extra virgin olive oil and finely chopped tomatoes, sprinkled with sea salt and pepper, in one simple word: fantastic!

Vins i Licors Jove' - Tarragona

You won’t need to find excuses to visit this great wine shop in the hear to the old city.

Vins i Licors Jove’ is an established business amongst those locals partial to a drop or two of the fine stuff . Here you get the fantastic upper end from the nearby Priorat and Montsant wine makers,  but also great table wine straight from the wooden barrel. This is also the place where the best artisan Vermouth is hidden; just bring an empty bottle with you (or you can buy a plastic container) and ask for a fill up from behind the counter!