Indulgences

1. cava

   Cava sparkling wine

   Usage

   Bottle-fermented sparkling wine. The heart of production is Sant Sadurní d'Anoia in the Penedès, known as the capital of cava. The three main white grapes are macabeu, xarel·lo and parellada, with xarel·lo giving body and structure; rosé cava uses garnatxa, monestrell and trepat

   Grammar Note

   The DO Cava zone extends beyond Catalonia (Rioja, Requena, Almendralejo)

2. vermut

   Vermouth

   Usage

   White wine infused with wormwood and other herbs, drunk as an aperitif. "Fer el vermut" — literally "to do the vermouth" — names the whole ritual of a late-morning weekend drink on a terrace, with olives and small plates. Reus is the famous producing town: Yzaguirre was founded there in 1884, some thirty makers worked there at the peak, and the Museu del Vermut is there today

3. ratafia

   Green-walnut and herb liqueur

   Usage

   A digestif of spirit macerated with lemon peel, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and green walnut husks, traditionally gathered on Saint John's Eve (23 June). It belongs to the north and west — Empordà, Garrotxa, Gironès, La Selva, Ripollès. The IGP Ratafia Catalana was created in 1998 and requires at least three months' ageing in wood

   Grammar Note

   Normally 26–29% ABV; the light classification is under 23%

4. mistela

   Sweet fortified wine

   Usage

   Fermentation is stopped by adding alcohol, leaving 70–200 g/L of sugar; 15–22% ABV. Made in Catalonia under the DOs of Alella, Conca de Barberà, Empordà, Montsant, Pla de Bages, Priorat, Tarragona and Terra Alta, and in the Valencian Country under DO València and DO Alacant

   Grammar Note

   Also called "moscat". The name comes from the Italian dialect word "mistella", a mixture

5. aigua de València

   Cava and orange juice cocktail

   Usage

   Cava (or champagne) and orange juice with vodka, gin and sugar. Created in 1959 by the painter Constante Gil at the Cafè Madrid in Valencia. Served in jugs and shared out into wide glasses. At around 15% ABV it is stronger than it looks

   Grammar Note

   Literally "water of Valencia" — despite the name it is an alcoholic drink

6. cigaló

   Coffee laced with brandy

   Usage

   Coffee with a shot of brandy or cognac; rum, anise liqueur or plain aiguardent are also used. An after-lunch order. In Mallorca and Castelló de la Plana it may be made with dark rum, whisky or anise instead

   Grammar Note

   Called "rebentat" in some areas. Masculine noun

7. trifàsic

   Coffee with spirits and milk

   Usage

   A "cigaló" with milk added — the name comes from its three phases of coffee, spirit and milk. The word is unlikely to be understood outside Catalan-speaking areas

   Grammar Note

   Literally the electrical adjective "three-phase"; as a drink name it is masculine

8. porró

   Spouted glass wine pitcher

   Usage

   A glass vessel with two spouts: a thick one for filling and holding, a thin conical one for pouring. Fill it half full, start the stream near your mouth and extend your arm to drink from a distance — this is drinking "a galet". Your lips never touch it, so it is passed round. It appears at calçotades and other gatherings

   Grammar Note

   Masculine noun

9. pomada

   Menorcan gin and lemonade

   Usage

   Menorcan gin (Gin Xoriguer) with lemonade, established in the later 20th century. In the hot months it is served well chilled but without ice cubes. It is present at every village patron-saint festival on the island. In Ciutadella it is not called "pomada" but "gin amb llimonada"

   Grammar Note

   The name "pomada" came from Gin Xoriguer's marketing. The version with lemon peel and soda water instead of lemonade is called "pellofa"

10. herbes eivissenques

    Ibizan herbal anise liqueur

    Usage

    A liqueur infused with fennel, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, lavender, rue, eucalyptus, chamomile, juniper, oregano, mint, lemon and orange peel, sage, star anise and green anise; 24–38% ABV. It began in Formentera around 1880 and moved to Eivissa; the geographical name has been protected since 1997

    Grammar Note

    "Herbes" is the feminine plural for herbs; "eivissenques" is the matching feminine plural adjective, "of Eivissa (Ibiza)"

11. estanc

    Licensed tobacconist

    Usage

    The state-licensed shop that sells tobacco, fiscal stamps, postage stamps and stamped paper. It is where tobacco is legitimately bought. Historically these shops also handled salt, explosives and spirits. Sales to under-18s are prohibited

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun. The shopfront usually also reads "Tabacs"

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