In the wake of the recent deadly terrorist attacks in the Barcelona area, it might seem off key to mention it in relation to wine.
However, if you have been to Barcelona, or traveled in the beautiful region surrounding it, you know that wine plays a very large part in the joyous cultural life of Catalonia—as well as its economy.
I love Barcelona and Catalonia, and I love the wines from the region, which include Cava as well as wines from the appellations of Priorat, Montsant, Penedès, Alella, Empordà, Pla de Bages, Tarragona, Terra Alta, Costers del Segre and more.
But what I love most about the area is its warm, welcoming people. And one thing we know with certainty about the terror attacks already is that the terror cell was able to establish itself and operate within Catalonia because the Catalans were so welcoming to foreign nationals, including some malevolent ones, as it turned out.
To their immense credit, the Catalans remained welcoming even after the attacks, offering free rides, food, and lodging to thousands who had been displaced from Barcelona hotels in the area near Las Ramblas that was cordoned off by police.
Equally impressive, the day after the van mowed down 13 people along Las Ramblas, thousands gathered at Placa de Catalunya, the plaza at the head of the promenade where the attack commenced. Office workers enlarged the crowd by filling windows of the buildings around the square. In the presence of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Spain’s King Felipe VI, the crowd observed a poignant moment of silence—but then broke into a spontaneous chant of, “No Fear!”
On Monday, August 21, the police finally found and killed the driver of the van, whose name I decline to include here.
Where did they find him? Hiding in a vineyard in the grape growing village of Subirats, in Penedès.
The terrorist didn’t survive, but the hardy vines surely will.
The people of Catalonia will survive also, and from what I’ve learned of them during six trips in recent years, their warmth and vibrancy will survive as well.
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