Walking and wine tasting – Costa Barcelona style

I was really looking forward to visiting the Alta Alella, the closest winery to Barcelona and only a couple kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea, for a walking and wine tasting afternoon as I knew my senses were going to explode. 

Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets and his wife Cristina Guillen, acquired the nineteenth-century estate, Can Genis over 20 years ago and in Alta Alella they have created a modern cellar with eco credentials to be proud of. Its organic wines are such high quality and have received such great acclaim that they appear on the lists of some of the world’s best restaurants such as Heston Blumentahl’s Fat Duck.

When I arrived at the cellar for the “Tast’N’Walk”, I was handed a couple of poles, which I was told, give two real benefits to normal walking. By using the poles you are using the upper body muscles as well as your legs and you are walking faster than normal as the poles help to support you. So you are working harder than you would when you walk normally, but the poles make if feel easier.    

The vineyards of Alta Alella,

What is great about this sport is that you can do it anywhere and it does not need any expensive equipment.  Of course, the technique only works if you do it properly and you have to be taught by professional instructors.

Alta Alella and Bendhora, a small family business, have teamed up to provide an amazing and unique experience. Walking around the estate, based in the Serralada de Marina National Park, I had to admit the poles were really useful going up and down the slopes. Along the way there were stops to learn about and see some of the wine processes. The highlight was enjoying one of the speciality white wines overlooking the sea with the skyline of Barcelona in the background.

Alta Alella wines

Afterwards we were whisked to the tasting boutique to be rewarded with some more rather special wines and some scrumptious canapés. They were so good that I could have made a meal out of them. 

While the spotlight may shine on cava in this region – the long-aged Alta Alella Opus Evolutium with elegant bubbles is rather delicious – I also discovered some remarkable reds. 

One of Alta Alella’s specialities is Dolç Mataró, a sweet organic red wine, predominately made from the local grape variety mataró. Think plums, dried figs with a hint of cherry tomatoes. It tasted deliciously creamy yet had a perfect combination of acidity and sweetness.

A wonderful location, excellent wines, good food and a lovely friendly staff makes a visit to this winery is a must if you are in the vicinity.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Vueling airlines offers direct flights from London Gatwick to El Prat airport, Barcelona, For the best fares and more information visit www.vueling.com 

Hotels

Hotel Solvi Passeig Ribes Roges 1 Vilanova i la Geltrú  Barcelona

Hostal Cal Pla (www.hostalcalpla.com) Avinguda Catalunya 56 (Sant Llorenç Savall)

Hotel Porta d’Alella (www.hotelportadalella.es)  Av Sant Mateu, 5-9 Alella

Tourist information

Barcelona is much more (www.barcelonaismuchmore.com) and (www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/costabarcelona)

Barcelona Province Council (promocio@diba.cat) Tel: 00 34 93 402 22 60

For more information about wine tours and other activities at Alta Alella, visit www.altaalella.cat

Step into summer

After pounding the pavements in New York and Madrid my feet had taken a bashing. They really were in need of some TLC, so it was off to the Urban Retreat at Harrods, London to see Chloe who, in my books, is the best filer, buffer and painter in town.

A pedicure especially for sandal season when your feet are on show is not a luxury it is a necessity.

“It is important to keep your feet well moisturised,” said Chloe. “So many people don’t use a moisturiser every night before going to bed. If your feet aren’t too dry then use a light lotion such as Leighton Denny Sole Pleasure (£9.50, urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique). 

Nail Loft, Urban Retreat Harrods

“If you have been wearing open-toed or/and backless shoes you may find that you need something more heavy duty such as Vaseline.”

I have to admit that I always slather my feet in Vaseline (not between the toes). I have tried lots of creams from the cheap to the expensive, but nothing seems to leave your tootsies as soft. Chloe’s tip is to apply it at night so there is plenty of time for it to absorb into the skin. 

After soaking my feet, Chloe set to work beginning with my nails. “The length should be just below the top of the skin,” she said. “You don’t want to have them too long so they catch or too short in case you are prone to ingrown toenails. File straight across and soften the corners.”

Chloe noticed that I had a nail that had slightly lifted. This had never happened before, but onycholysis apparently is common in adults of all ages and sexes. Separation occurs gradually and can be caused by trauma (I had banged my toe) or not being careful when you use tools to clean underneath the nail.

Essie Mademoiselle

Luckily, as mine was really not bad, Chloe managed to cut off the offending part of the nail and it now seems OK. You have to wait until the nail grows out, which will take months, until it is completely healed.

Chloe’s advice to keep feet in good condition is to have regular pedicures. “Also make sure that your shoes fit properly. Il-fitting shoes only cause problems such as corns, damaged toe nails and, of course, general discomfort.”

The best-dressed toenails, this summer, according to Chloe are wearing pastels or brights. “A nude is always chic and classy,” she said. “Essie Ballet Slippers is a classic pale pink.”

I went for Essie Mademoiselle, a pretty sheer milky pink. “It makes your feet look tanned,” said Chloe.

After the “Chloe treatment” my feet looked amazing and were ready to be back on show.

By Daralyn Danns

Custom Pedicures from £57. For more information and appointments visit www.urbanretreat.co.uk

Celebrate summer

Champagne G.H.Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge Formula One, £32.09, Tesco

Adorned with the victorious laurel crown and the number one, this limited edition bottle complete with the brand’s fabled red sash from the official sponsor of Formula One since 2000, is the perfect sparkler to create your own celebratory podium moment.

It was, apparently, 16 years after the creation of the World Championship in 1950, that Jo Siffert accidentally started the champagne spraying celebration. Although champagne had been around the victors since the early days of motor racing, after winning his category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while on the podium, the cork popped out of his overheated bottle showering the crowd below. Dan Gurney obviously was impressed and celebrated his 1967 win by doing it on purpose. He started a tradition for motor racing. 

If you prefer to drink it rather than throw it over onlookers, you won’t be disappointed. Mumm has been around for 187 years, so it should know how to produce a good champagne. Cordon Rouge Brut, the house’s most well-known wine, is a balanced and well-rounded sparkler bursting with flavours of apples and lemons sweetened with honey. A pleasure on its own or with food.

By Daralyn Danns