In our homeland, we live surrounded by a rich tapestry of customs. Here, every season of the year brings its own gastronomic ritual. In fact, as if it were Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, each moment is identified by a distinct scent. For this reason, these aromas evoke fond memories and shared moments.
On one hand, winter embraces us with the scent of star anise and cinnamon. On the other hand, spring arrives with the sweetness of sugar, fritters, and traditional pastries. Likewise, autumn comforts us with the aroma of roasted chestnuts, panellets, and muscatel wine. But, when it comes to summer, the aromatic landscape transforms completely, turning into a symphony of thyme, mint, lemon verbena, and anise.
It is precisely on the eve of this warm season that we relive one of the most magical times of the year. Because, if you close your eyes, surely you remember those childhood mornings. Specifically, you remember walking hand in hand with your grandmother, very early, along the pathways on Saint John’s morning. She possessed a silent wisdom; therefore, she knew exactly which leaf to touch and which flower to pick. She also knew the precise moment for the green walnut, when the fruit was at its ideal stage to craft our beloved Sant Joan ratafia.
In short, this ancestral ritual served to bottle the essence of summer. Likewise, it was key to crafting the most precious treasure of our after-dinner gatherings. Undoubtedly, it is a homemade liqueur that connects generations and remains a living part of our country’s history.
The magic of the solstice and the herbs of Sant Joan ratafia
The summer symphony of aromatic herbs reaches its peak with Sant Joan ratafia. Certainly, this art is deeply tied to the land and the June solstice. According to tradition, herbs, flowers, and roots must be harvested on the very night or morning of June 24th. Popular belief dictates this because it is the time of the plants’ greatest splendor, when they are bursting with the most magical and healing properties of the entire year.
As we well know, the king ingredient of this morning is the green walnut. Especially in late June, the walnut has the perfect consistency, being tender on the inside, easy to cut, and full of sap. Alongside the walnuts, every grandmother guards her secret list of “the 40 herbs”, a family secret passed down from generation to generation.
Yet, the magic did not end in the forest. In fact, after the harvest, it was the grandchildren’s turn. We would all gather around the kitchen table. Next, under grandmother’s watchful eye, we placed the herbs and flowers into the glass jug, which was already filled with local spirits. In this way, every single lemon verbena leaf or piece of cinnamon became a silent lesson in heritage and patience.
Once the jug was filled with that summer scent, the countdown began. Therefore, it was time to leave it for forty days under “sol i serena” (sun and night dew). There it remained, on the rooftop or the balcony, soaking up the strength of the July sun and the silence of starlit nights, eventually becoming a dark treasure that I secretly watched over with wide eyes every time I visited my grandmother’s house.
Catalonia in a bottle: the botanical richness of our land
For this reason, at Wonderful Wines, we are passionate about liquid stories. Our country is like a small continent in miniature. Indeed, within just a few kilometers, we cross from high Pyrenean mountains to dry plains and the Mediterranean coast. As a result, this incredible geographical variety rewards us with a diversity of botanicals unique in the world.
Precisely because of this, every ratafia is a faithful reflection of the landscape where it is born. For example, herbs growing near the sea bring completely different nuances than those from the inland. Thus, at our digital cellar, we want to celebrate this richness of Catalonia. For this reason, we have selected different styles so you can sample this great variety:
Classic and Mountain Profile Ratafias
These expressions remain faithful to traditional recipes from inland and mountain areas, where the intense character of well-defined green walnut dominates over a deep background of wild forest medicinal herbs, notably highlighting lemon verbena, rosemary, and the purest wildflowers.
As an essential recommendation, the legendary Ratafia Russet is an absolute must. A true benchmark from the Garrotxa region, it stands out for its perfect balance and for keeping the family recipe alive. On the palate, it is a very pleasant and mellow liqueur, offering a beautifully integrated sweetness balanced by the bitter edge of the walnuts.
On the nose, it releases an intense fragrance of nutmeg, cinnamon, and wild herbs, leaving a long and highly comforting aftertaste. It is ideal for those seeking the timeless taste of tradition at the dinner table, making it perfect to accompany traditional carquinyolis or the classic Sant Joan cake.
Signature and Reserva Ratafias (Aged in barrels)
Here, the richness of the landscape merges with the cellar’s patience. These are selected liqueurs that undergo a crianza aging process in oak barrels. In this way, the contact with wood softens the spirit’s alcohol while contributing toasted notes of vanilla and ripe nuts, achieving an extraordinary elegance.
For this nobler profile, we highly recommend Ratafia Bosch Reserva. Crafted in Sant Quirze de Besora, it spends a long aging period in wood that makes it unique, showing a deep, bright amber color. The nose is a true showcase of wood notes, toasted nuts, and a subtle touch of vanilla.
Likewise, on the palate, it is velvety, round, and highly elegant, possessing a comforting warmth reminiscent of fine brandies. It is ideal to be enjoyed neat in a slow-paced glass, perfect to conclude a festive meal, appreciate its evolution, or to make an exceptional gourmet gift.
Modern, Citric, and Dry Plain Ratafias
An evolution that seeks balance by reducing a touch of the traditional sweetness. Instead, these options enhance the fresher side, opting for more citric, balsamic botanicals and wild herbs from sun-drenched areas, resulting in liqueurs that feel remarkably lighter on the palate.
In this avant-garde category, we have chosen Ratafia Mina de Magnòlia, a gem born in Bellmunt del Priorat. It stands out for the exclusive floral touch of the magnolia flower, providing an extraordinary refinement that captivates from the very first moment with its distinctly subtle and fresh aroma.
Here, citric notes blend seamlessly with the green walnut backdrop. On the palate, it is very fine, light, and less cloying than classic versions, featuring a silky mouthfeel that invites you to keep enjoying. It is ideal for those wanting to experiment with new trends, making it perfect to serve over ice, use in mixology, or pair with dark chocolate.
Ratafia Creams (Smoothness and Sweet Treat)
In this style, the intense character of the spirit and herbs is softened thanks to combining the recipe with dairy products. As a result, we obtain a much creamier drink, featuring a lower alcohol content and a velvety, luscious texture.
For this sweet moment, Crema de Ratafia Núria de Bosch is an absolute must-have. Without a doubt, it is an exceptional product where the tradition of Osona transforms into pure seduction. Visually, it stands out for its soft café au lait color, and on the nose, it offers sweet aromas where traditional ratafia blends with hints of toffee, cocoa, and vanilla.
Thus, on the palate, it is incredibly smooth, sweet, creamy, and very easy to drink. It is ideal for the sweetest palalates, proving spectacular when served well-chilled or over ice after a grand meal. It also works beautifully to accompany vanilla ice cream or to enrich after-dinner conversations.
This Eve, let’s make sure our most traditional liqueur is present
In conclusion, this year we have a date with tradition. When the bonfire is lit, you enjoy the festive cake, and hear the fireworks, connect with this millenary custom. We encourage you to bring ratafia to our tables; undoubtedly, it is the ideal moment to enjoy it as if it were a grand dessert wine, rediscovering our most authentic spirit.
Furthermore, we want to challenge you this summer solstice: why not try making your own ratafia recipe at home? All you need is a glass jug, good spirits, and the desire to stroll along paths looking for wild herbs. It is a beautiful experience to share with your loved ones; after all, you will be creating a legacy that will pass from generation to generation.
Finally, we invite you to explore our collection at Wonderful Wines. Choose your ideal bottle and let’s keep the flame of our culture alive!
Have a wonderful Saint John’s Eve!
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