Verdant green hills and vales. Blossoming meadows. Beautiful breeze. Charming villages. A castle looms in the distance. The landscape glistens. Sunshine!—after two days of continuous rain.

Crossing the Vltava we leave the city behind us. We drive towards Plzen (Pilsen) along E50 to Beroun—a small town 30 minutes southwest of Prague. Enjoying the countryside, I look forward to this wine-tasting experience! Spanish wines from Miguel Torres—"Winemaker of the Year, Spain 2002."

Pilsen Gate—Welcome to Beroun...        
Photo by M. King

Beroun is located on the basin where the Berounka and Litavka rivers meet. It was settled in ancient times. The Berounka connects Prague and Pilsen and was of utmost importance in founding the original settlements.

The first written mention of Beroun was in 1088. In June 1265 King Premysl issued a document confirming Beroun's existence. The name derived from Italian "Verona"—was later changed to Beroun in the Czech language.

Many guild crafts developed in Beroun—pottery, milling, beer brewing, ginger-bread making, metal manufacturing, and textiles.

In 1421, Beroun was captured by Hussite armies and became a Hussite town. In the 16^th and 17^th Centuries, Beroun was annihilated by plagues. Fire and flood nearly destroyed Beroun several times.

The town fortification was constructed at the turn of the 13^th–14^th Centuries. The thick stone walls were reinforced by 37 bastions, with a castle moat along the walls. There was a lower moat wall inside.

Today, parts of the wall, 20 bastions in a partly preserved state, and two gates survive.

Pilsen Gate—Walk on through...
                                  Photo by M. King

Beroun side street—              
Look to your left...                   
Photo by M. King

Enter Beroun through the Pilsen Gate, the original Gothic Tower leading to the moat. The passage is arched by barrel vaulting and pointed gates. During a fire in 1735, the upper part of the gate was destroyed—then rebuilt in Baroque style. Today, there is a room of the original armory inside this tower. There is a gallery on the top floor.

Beroun Side Street—
Walk to your right and look back...
                                    Photo by M. King

Beroun Main Street—                           
Walk towards Prague Gate!                     
Photo by M. King

Beroun Centrum—Keep on walking toward Prague Gate...
                                                             Photo by M. King

The Beroun square consists of shops and restaurants housed in historic buildings. St. James Deanery Church, a Town Hall where weddings take place on Saturdays—as well as a lovely park area. On Saturday mornings, there is an open air market that lasts until 12noon.

The Town Hall was originally two burghers houses, later rebuilt in Renaissance style and then Baroque style. The present building exists since the beginning of the 20^th Century.

Beroun Centrum!—                                              
Lovely Park, Colorful Architecture!                           
Photo by M. King

Beroun Centrum!—
Looking toward Town Hall...
                                  Photo by M. King

St. James Deanery Church—                
Beroun's history...                                   
Photo by M. King

St. James Deanery Church was built in the 13^th Century, at the same time as the town. In the 14^th Century, the tower was annexed. It was rebuilt later in Baroque style, and then changed several times.

Prague Gate—You made it!
                                  Photo by M. King

Exit Beroun through the Prague Gate. The passage is irregularly barrel vaulted, closed by two pointed gates. A spiral staircase connects two large vaulted rooms inside the building. Built at the beginning of the 14^th Century, this is Beroun's oldest structure preserved nearly perfectly in its original medieval Gothic form. The Prague Gate exit leads you to the Berounka River.

Past the Prague Gate—                        
River scene...                                         
Photo by M. King

Past the Prague Gate—
Nature by the River...
                          Photo by M. King

U Hradeb Restaurace—Lovely to behold...                         
Photo by M. King

The U Hradeb restaurant built into an original town wall is lovely to look at. Charm both inside and out. Unfortunately, neither food nor service matches the ambiance. We have found excellent restaurants in Prague—as well as other Czech towns that we have visited. We are still looking for a fine dining experience in Beroun.

Wine Tasting—Nine–Twelve Wines will be tasted...
                                                 Photo by M. King

Fine wine is one of my passions—my dinner is not complete without my glass of good wine. I delight in a glass of white wine—very cold—with my salad. My glass of red wine enhances the flavors of good cheese and bread.

As a child, I watched my father enjoy his daily glass in the evening. Daddy would always let me have a little taste. Many years later, while living in California, I discovered I could wine–taste all along Interstate–5, northbound...and...southbound! My appreciation of fine wine deepened.

I discovered an even greater variety of superb wines when I journeyed throughout Europe and South America. In restaurants...in vineyards.

Wine is very much part of everyday life in the Czech Republic—excellent in quality...and inexpensive. Vinotekas are everywhere. You can taste and enjoy!! Courses are offered in wine-tasting! I enrolled and learned more.

Let me share with you my love of fine wine. Taste and enjoy the wonderful wines of Spain!!

The Torres winery dates back to 1870, when Jaime Torres established the family winemaking operation in Vilafranca del Penedès (Catalonia, Spain) 5 km south of Barcelona. The Penedès area, ranging from sea level to 800 meters, is able to grow a wide spectrum of grape varieties. The Torres label covers virtually every wine style.

Lower Penedès from sea level to 250 meters, has lots of sun and higher temperatures. The Spanish grape varieties Gamacha and Carinena grow very well there.

Middle Penedès from 250 to 500 meters has a climate similar to France. Therefore, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes (which also grow in France) do very well.

Upper Penedès from 500 to 800 meters has a climate similar to Alsace and Germany. Grapes grown there include Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewurtztraminer.

Wine Tasting—                                                    
Twelve–Twenty "Noses" will enjoy these wines...      
Photo by M. King

Right from the beginning, the Torres family has taken great care in seeking out and acquiring some of the best vineyard plots. The Penedès vineyards cover a total of 1300 hectares (3200 acres) planted with different grape varieties, both traditional and international.

The Torres family's imprint on the Spanish wine industry is impressive. Miguel Torres, Jr. is one of the wine world's great innovators and leaders. He was named Winemaker of the Year—Spain 2002.

One of his innovations—is that if you "age too much in oak"—wines all start tasting the same. Miguel Torres does not follow the strict Spanish "denominations" such as in Rioja, that force you to keep long in oak. "Wine is ready"—when Mr. Torres says it is!!

"And yes—you can taste the differences!!"

While remaining rooted in a lovingly conserved ancestral Spanish heritage, Torres today offers the widest and most diverse range of wines on the market. In Chile, Torres has been producing wines since the end of the 1970s, with a brother overseeing the operation. Chile is the best land in the world for growing grapes due to its volcanic soil. Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown there. A sister moved to the Napa Valley area in the 1980's. Her Green Valley/Russian River winery produces wines from two grapes—Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Torres wines are currently enjoyed in more than 115 countries worldwide—found on wine lists in many of the world's finest restaurants and hotels.

1—Santa Digna—2001 Chile White—100% Sauvignon Blanc Grape

Clear pale yellow color. Fruity aroma with medium intensity. Dry and well balanced, this is an easy-to-drink wine in summer. Drink it on your patio, take it on a picnic—Price 350CZK, approximately US$11.00.

2—Gran Vina Sol—2001 Spain White—85% Chardonnay/15% Parellada Grape

The parellada, a typical grape variety grown in the Penedès region of Spain, gives this wine an exotic fruit flavor. Color is crystal clear straw yellow. Aroma is fruity fresh with hint of citrus and bananas. Aged three months in oak, the wine is crisp and well balanced. Serve with fish, seafood or pasta dishes—Price 390CZK, approximately US$12.50.

3—Vina Esmeralda—2001 Spain White—Muskat/Gewurtztraminer Grape Blend

Flower aroma denotes mostly muskat in this lovely and different wine. Color is crystal clear green yellow. Wonderful with Asian cuisine—especially Thai and Japanese. This wine can also be served as an aperitif—Price 360CZK, approximately US$11.50.

4—Santa Digna—2001 Chile Rosé—100% Cabernet Sauvignon Grape

Beautiful dark pink color. Aroma is concentrated and powerful—fruity. Strawberries and plums against a background of grapefruit. Unusual and wonderful, you don't taste the 14% alcohol content. Balanced with delicate fruity acidity and easy-to-drink. Wonderful aftertaste—smooth. Serve as an aperitif, or with chicken, ham or tapas—Price 320CZK, approximately US$10.00.

5—Sangre de Toro—2000 Spain Red—75% Gamacha/25% Carinena Grape

Composed of typical Mediterranean grape varieties. Color is a rich dark ruby red. Aroma is of medium intensity with a hint of spice. Aged for 12 months in American oak, this wine is full bodied and balanced. Serve with steak or game—Price 300CZK, approximately US$9.50.

6—Coronas—1999 Spain Red—15% Cabernet Sauvignon/85%Tempranillo

The Tempranillo grape gives this wine its rich garnet color. Aged in oak for 12 months, this elegant wine is full bodied, with balanced tannins. Serve with red meats or soft cheeses—Price 340CZK, approximately US$10.50.

7—Atrium—2000 Spain Red—100% Merlot Grape

The reason for the name "Atrium"—Miguel Torres wanted to give this wine a name that can match different things—such as Atrium—being the hub of a house! Fruit is predominant in this deep red wine with purple overtones. Aged for 6 months only in French new oak, flavor and aroma suggest plum and cherry. This wine is so good—you can almost chew it!! A versatile wine, serve it with fish and salmon as well as duck and cheese. Age for 2 to 4 years—it should still be wonderful—Price 420CZK, approximately US$13.00.

8—Gran Sangre de Toro—1999 Spain Red—65% Gamacha/25% Carinena/10%Syrah

This elegant wine was aged 18 months in American oak before release. Color is intense ruby red. Nose suggests smoke, black pepper and fresh fruit. Taste is smooth-as-silk. Serve with venison, stuffed peppers, stews, game and spicy meat dishes. Age for 7–9 years—it should still be extraordinary!—Price 450CZK, approximately US$14.00.

9—Brandy 10—

We were served a special treat!! 10 years old—Torres 10 Brandy Gran Reserva. Velvety and smooth, with caramel and some toffee on nose. The perfect after-dinner drink!!—Price 420CZK, approximately US$13.00.

Looked!—Smelled!!—Tasted!!!—Bought!!!!—Enjoying!!!!! A note on my wine prices. The wines quoted in CZK are available here in Prague. I translated the prices into US$ as an aid. Prices in your country can vary due to taxes, duties, etc. Check with your favorite wine merchant. Enjoy these fine wines!!

Helena Baker, Baker Wine—hosts wine-tasting almost weekly in her vinnysklep(wine cellar) located near the Prague Gate in Beroun. She studied wine-tasting at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in London, where she received the WSET accolade—Diploma in Wines and Spirits. Find out more. Click below—