On Sunday March 27th I went to the Natural Wine Hall III, in Barcelona (Convent de Sant Agustí). Would be about 20 producers of natural wines, mainly from France and Catalonia, but a few from other parts of Spain and Italy.
Fair What
mean? What if it was a success? Were there many people? Will I be helpful? "I made many contacts? "I had a good time? Did I hurt your feet? "I served many glasses of wine? "I sold a lot of wine? Was fun dinner? "I took many pictures and videos?
Well, the answer is "yes" to all questions at least two: 'No', did not sell much wine (about 20 bottles) and 'No', no I took many photos as I wanted! But everything else, say YES.
Before I came
people I would say it was a huge smash hit, and spent hundreds of people there. I have no precise data on the event organizer Benoît Vallée ( L'Anima del Vi), but that is my impression - from the time people started coming (10:30 - 11:00) I could not sit down or leave my table until 9:00 pm.
Ready for action
escape got to go to the bathroom at about 5:00, but my neighbor (Maestro Alfredo ) was not so lucky - I said he could not go pee until 9:00 pm! More signs / evidence of the success of the event are the pain in my feet (standing for 12 hours) serving glasses of wine and talking to people.
The thing is encouraged
There was no way to eat, of course. But Benoit had the solution: apart from the 20 posts of natural wine producers, there was one food (tapas) (Bar Cortijo) and they were responsible for bringing us food throughout the day. In fact, my biggest sale of the day was to them - I ordered a box of my "orange wine" as they considered a perfect match perfectly with your sushi. (I forgot to take a picture of the dish).
3 Airen - same vineyard, same grape, same day harvest
Left: Orange Wine (with skins)); Center: Normal, Right: Carbonic maceration
What if I have been helpful to be at the fair? Well, I could not tell! Of course, not sales! Perhaps for future sales? Who knows! I think it does promote and advertise my wines and my project enough. I distributed about 100 brochures and seen about 50 cards - and only gave them to people the previously asked me, not my suggestion.
Reds: Petit Verdot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Garnacha
Most interesting was the variety of people who came to the fair. Some were lovers of wine with high knowledge that I made many difficult and interesting questions! Others were novices in the wine world who came to see, taste and learn.
T-post
In theory, the event had to end at 5:00 or 6:00, but at 8:00 still full! At the end the lack of light that threw everybody, as there was no light in the monastery and could only do with lighters and torches.
Thanks to good planning Benoit, the restaurant where we would eat was across the street, so we did not have to move vehicles or public transport. Just had to leave the convent across the street and enter the restaurant.
Producers Dinner
The first to arrive we sat on the terrace of the restaurant and ask for beer! It is not the first time that happens to me. After 12 hours of wine tasting, think more wine at dinner is not recommended. Best 'rest palate 'with a beer or two!
Vintners and their beers
Fortunately (for all other customers of the restaurant) we put in a separate room. Admittedly assemble a tremendous scandal. He gave me the impression that the waiters were a bit overwhelmed. First, we all bottles (and boxes) of our wine, put on the table, chairs and floor, and opened no more ourselves. It was as if we had just come out of jail! We were so eager to taste the wines of the other, and until then we could not do not leave our tables for to taste like!
In the table
When they got us in and sit down, nobody was interested in the food and the waiters could not take note. I did not even see the menu, much less order! At the end Benoit ordered 30 steak with potatoes, and 30 starters for all.
Then the party came to life. First a little speech Laureano Serres, natural winemaker and president of the PVN (Association of Natural Wine Producers), in Catalan, not sure how many understood something, but I can say that he received a standing ovation at end!
(Link to speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDdtswX9Q9M )
Some people started smoking at the table - which is now banned from the new anti- January 2 snuff. But in those moments, who is going to agree? No, man, no, I'm exaggerating - we left out smokers also (sometimes).
Here are some of the wines:
Perhaps the best known is that of Thierry Puzelat (one of the smokers!):
Slope: Photo Puzelat "in Cot We Trust"
Slope: Photo Laureano Serres "Brutal"
picture yet Clos du Tue-Boeuf Touraine Le Buisson Pouilleux
fotoEls yet Bassots - Jordi Escoda
fotoVinya Sanford yet
Pending
fotoMacon Cruzille manganite
picture yet Dinavolo (Italy)
yet
photo master Alfredo 
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