New Wine Party (de)volving

I went to last night's Vilaviniteca New Wine Release Party. Its a street fair that, in years past, promised the possibility of finding a magical wine. 2008 was, unfortunately, different. Where in years past the chief concern was to avoid being trampled by the mob in the tangle of old Barcelona streets where the event is held, this year, it was finding something interesting to drink.

There was one wine like those that seemed to define the event in years past, young wines that, despite needing more aging, hinted at greatness by displaying a lot of fruit with tannic edginess. That wine tonight was Murmuron from the Rioja house of Sierra Cantabria. Also, Ostatu's offering was nice as well and as was the wine from Lurberri. It seems the Rioja wineries, at the these three, were more keen on serving up something interesting, than most of the Catalan producers, who were content with serving average wines or half fermented must (note to Castell de Remei: you can do better). The best thing about the event turned out not to be wine, but the samosas of Raji & Co. (amazing spicy mint sauce).

Perhaps the reason for being for this event has changed. Where as in the past, it had been a street fair with a subcurrent of garage inventiveness. Now its just a street fair, with a great atmosphere, but lot of ordinary wine.