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Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, home to 12 officially recognized wine regions. They have more than 750 wineries. The largest zone is Penedès, stretching from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean Sea. Catalonia produces red, white, and rose wines, as well as a special Spanish sparkling wine — cava. In addition, Catalonia produces vermouth, a white wine enriched with herbs and spices and aged in a barrel.
The first grapevines in Catalonia were planted by the Greeks 2,500 years ago. Later, the Romans continued to develop the industry in this territory. In the 19th century, a large number of vineyards in Europe were spoiled by the pest phylloxera. Catalonia suffered less from this epidemic, which helped the region promote its type of sparkling wine — cava.
There are 12 appellations in the autonomous community. These are officially recognized areas where specific grape sorts are grown under established conditions with certified production stages. Wines from these regions of Catalonia have designations of origin. If there is a corresponding marking on the bottle, then the wine is made from grapes grown in this territory. On the label, you should look for the inscription Denominación de Origen (DO). Wines from the Priorat region are designated Denominació d’Origen Qualificada (DOQ). This status is higher than DO. This is due to strict quality control, which affects the price of the product.
The Allella region is located in the Maresme region in the province of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. It is one of the smallest DOs in Spain, receiving its status in 1956. The special taste and aromatic qualities of the grape sorts that grow here are given by the top layer of soil called sauló. It is distinguished by its light color and ability to retain heat, which stimulates the ripening of grapes. Wines made from berries grown on the seashore are ripe and full-bodied. Drinks from the rest of Allelia are characterized as subtle and aromatic.
The main sort of the region is Pansa Blanca. Its second name is Xarello (xarel·lo). White grape sorts that can be grown here also include Garnatxa Blanca, Chardonnay, Parellada, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. The red sorts grown here are Garnatxa Negra, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataró, Sumoll, and Garnatxa Peluda.
Conca de Barbera is a wine region in the northern part of the province of Tarragona. It is located in the Francoli River basin and has had official status since 1989. Grapes were probably brought here by the Romans, and winemaking began to flourish in the Middle Ages thanks to the monks who lived in this territory. Following the phylloxera epidemic, Conca de Barbera became the first region in Spain to create wine cooperatives.
The iconic sort of Conca de Barberá is Trepat. It is an autochthonous sort, characteristic only of this region and Costers del Segre. It produces delicate, fruity rose wines with spicy notes and low alcohol content. Also present among the red sorts are Tempranillo or Ull de Llebre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Garnatxa Negra, and Monastrell. White grapes include Macabeu, Chardonnay, Parellada, Sauvignon Blanc, and Moscatell d’Alexandria. In addition to regular wine, sparkling cava is made from these sorts.
Costers del Segre is a wine region in the province of Lleida, northwest of Conca de Barbera. Its peculiarity is that it is divided into seven zones and is not a single territory. All of them are located in the Segre River basin, surrounded by the Pyrenees Mountains. The grapes here grow in soil rich in limestone. The climate in this territory is continental with Mediterranean influence and sharp fluctuations in temperatures, both daily and seasonal. All this creates ideal conditions for growing vines. White wines produced here are characterized by lightness, fruitiness and acidity. Red drinks have a powerful but balanced aroma and structured taste.
The main sorts of white grapes are Macabeu and Parellada. Xarello, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown in the region. Among the red sorts, the most popular are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Trepat, Garnatxa Negra, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Franc.
Empordà is a wine region in the northeastern corner of Catalonia in the province of Girona. It is divided into two subzones. Northern — Alt Empordà — located at the foot of the Rhodes and Albert ranges, near the French border. The southern one — Baix Empordà — is on the bank of the sea, surrounded by the Montgri and Gabarres massifs. This region receives high amounts of rainfall, which, combined with the Tramontana winds coming from behind the mountains, gives the wines a fresh and fruity taste.
The most common sorts of red wines are Carinyena Negra, Garnatxa Negra, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. White wines are dominated by Carinyena Blanca, Garnatxa Blanca, Garnatxa Roja, Macabeu, Chardonnay, and Moscatell d’Alexandria.
Montsant is a wine region located south of Costers del Segre in the province of Tarragona. The vineyards here are planted along the mountain ranges. Until 2002, this territory was called Falset. Interestingly, the region surrounds another, smaller area — Priorat.
Mostly red grape sorts are grown in Montsant. Among them: Garnatxa Negra, Cariñena, Ull de Llebre, Syrah, Merlot. Among the white types of berries in the region there are Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeu, Garnatxa Roja, and Pansal.
Pla de Bages is a district in the west of the province of Barcelona. According to one version, the name Pla de Bages comes from the name of the god of wine, Bacchus. The region’s landscape ranges from mountainous to flat with plenty of forests, and the climate is Mediterranean with sparse rainfall, which contributes to high-quality harvests. In the mid-19th century, it was the largest wine region in Catalonia. Here you can find dry stone masonry everywhere, from which walls, vats, and huts are made. This construction method is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The wine route passes through Pla de Bages.
The most iconic sort of the region is Picapoll. It can be either white or red. The white sorts grown here are Macabeu, Parellada, and Sauvignon Blanc. Among the red ones, it is worth highlighting Sumoll, Mandó, Garnatxa, Ull de Llebre and Carinyena.
Tarragona is a wine region in the province of the same name. It consists of two subzones surrounding Montsant — Camp de Tarragona and Ribera d’Ebre. It is bordered to the north by Conca de Barbera and to the east by Penedes. The Tarragona DO logo features an amphora, referencing the region’s long winemaking history dating back to Roman times. Three dozen wineries have teamed up to create a wine route to introduce everyone to the local wines, gastronomy, and culture of the region.
The main white sorts here are Macabeu, Parellada, Xarello, Moscatell d’Alexandria, Garnatxa Blanca. Red grapes in Tarragona include Ull de Llebre, Sumoll, Cariñena, Garnatxa Negra, Merlot, and Syrah.
Terra Alta is the southernmost wine region of Catalonia in the province of Tarragona. It is located on a plateau at an altitude of 300-500 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountain ranges. This place often appeared in Picasso’s landscapes. UNESCO has recognized the area as a biosphere reserve. As in other places in Catalonia, winemaking has been practiced here since the times of the Roman Empire. There is a wine route in the region.
The main sort of Terra Alta DO is Garnatxa Blanca. 33% of its global volume and 75% of Spanish production are grown here. Such wines are awarded a special warranty label Terra Alta Garnatxa Blanca 100X100. Also, white grapes you can find here are Macabeu, Perellada, Chardonnay, and Moscatell d’Alexandria. Among the red sorts, Garnatxa predominates — Negra and Peluda. In addition, Terra Alta produces wines from Cariñena, Morenillo, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Penedès is located in Catalonia in the province of Barcelona and borders the wine region of Tarragona to the west. It stretches between the sea and the mountains, making it an ideal climate for growing grapes. The altitude ranges from zero to 800 meters. Most of the wines produced at Penedès DO are organic without the use of chemicals. In the future, 100% of drinks from the region should move into this category.
The main sort of Peredes is the white grape Xarello. Also grown here from light sorts are Macabeu, Parellada, Subirat Parent, Garnatxa Blanca, Moscatell d’Alexandria, and Moscatell de Gra Petit. Common red grapes include Ull de Llebre, Granata Negra, Samsó, Sumoll Negre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.
The Priorat region is located in Catalonia in the province of Tarragona, surrounded by Montsant. It is one of only two wine regions in Spain (the other being Rioja in the Autonomous Community of La Rioja) to receive DOQ qualification. The monks of the Carthusian monastery of Santa Maria d’Escaladei began making wine here in the 12th century. However, after the phylloxera epidemic of the 19th century, mass winemaking began to recover here only in the 1980s, thanks to a few enthusiasts. Due to the steep slopes and rocky soil, working conditions here are very hard, which only adds value to the wine. Some vineyards are located on very narrow terraces where agricultural machinery cannot pass.
Priorat DOQ grows red grape sorts — Garnatxa Tinta, Cariñena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. Among the white sorts, Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeu, Pedro Ximénez, and Viognier predominate.
Cava is a region in Catalonia, Spain, where the Spanish sparkling wine of the same name is produced. The area where 95% of the production of this drink is concentrated is called Comtats de Barcelona. The capital of Cava is the municipality of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, where the first batch of this sparkling wine was bottled in 1872. Comtats de Barcelona is divided into five subzones with different topography, soil, and microclimate — Pla de Ponent, Serra de Prades, Conca del Gaia, Serra de Mar, and Vals d’Anoia Foix.
Cava is made from three sorts of white grapes: Xarello, Parellada, and Macabeu. It is harvested in August by hand or by machine, then the berries are pressed. Next, the first fermentation process takes place in stainless steel tanks, the base wines are blended (each winery has its proportions) and bottled, adding a mixture of yeast and sugar. Bottles are stored horizontally in cellars for at least nine months. Next, they are gradually raised to a vertical position and periodically twisted so that the yeast sediment remains in the neck of the bottle. The solids are removed, more wine and sugar are added, and finally, the cork is installed, the muzzle is put on, and the labels are applied.
Cava is divided into several types, depending on the fermentation time. Cava de Guarda or simply cava is aged for at least 9 months. The remaining three species are collectively called Cava de Guarda Superior. Cava Reserva is aged for a minimum of 18 months, Cava Gran Reserva for a minimum of 30 months, and Cava de Paraje Calificado for a minimum of 36 months. The latter wine is also produced only in a limited area. In addition, cava is divided into seven categories depending on the amount of added sugar. Natural brut (brut nature) adds 0-3 grams per liter, extra brut has 0-6 grams per liter, brut — a maximum of 12 grams, extra seco — 12-17 grams, seco — 17-32 grams, semi-seco — 32-50 grams, and dulce — more than 50 grams per liter.
Catalunya DO is the common name for all wine regions of Catalonia. This marking on the label guarantees the origin of this wine with a strong Mediterranean character. More than 200 wineries that are not included in specific regions have it on their bottles. In this way, these industries can compete in the international market. The total area of vineyards in Catalonia is 40,000 hectares.
There are more than 750 wineries in the autonomous community. Of course, it is impossible to describe them all. We have selected the best wineries in Catalonia from our point of view.
Castell d’Encus is located in the Costers del Segre region. It was founded in 2001 by Raül Bobet. The main estate is located at an altitude of 800-950 meters in the Pyrenees, surrounded by forest and the remains of the medieval village of Castell d’Encus. Castell d’Encus also includes vineyards that are planted at an altitude of 1000-1230 meters. The winery uses 12th-century stone presses to ferment some wines. Grape sorts here include Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is open to visitors on weekdays, except during harvest season.
Biopaumera is a small and only organic winery in the Tarragona wine region in the municipality of Rasquera. All land is farmed without the use of chemicals and the emphasis in production is on quality rather than quantity. In addition to wine, olive oil is produced here from berries collected from centuries-old trees. The vineyards consist of only two sorts — Black Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. In total, about 12,000 bottles are bottled per year — Erika de Paumerà rosé, Adrià de Paumerà red Creanza aged 6 months, and Esther de Paumerà red Creanza aged 12 months. Anyone can book a tour of the vineyards and cellar with a mandatory tasting at the end. Within Biopaumera there is a small country house, Mas del Pi, where you can stay overnight.
Catedral del Vi is a cooperative winery in the village of El Pinell de Brai in the Terra Alta region. Its history began in the distant 1920s. The winery building was built in a modernist style and consists of three front and two transverse naves. Inside there are parabolic wooden arches. All this resembles a Catholic cathedral, which is how the winery got its name. A distinctive feature of the building is the humorous ceramic frieze by the Catalan artist Xavier Nogues.
Since 2010, the Modernista Celler production facility, owned by the Gilabert brothers, has been located here. The winery produces young wines Modernista, semi-vintage l’India, vintage Gamberro, and fortified Gamberrillo. They are created using red sorts Garnatxa Negro, Ull de Llebre, Samso, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah and white sorts Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeu and Muscat.
Catedral del Vi has a restaurant of the same name, whose cuisine is led by Michelin-starred chef Fran Lopez. He cooks from local, seasonal ingredients. This winery in Catalonia is open for audio-guided or guided wine tours. Tastings are included in the price.
Cooperativa Gandesa is a cooperative winery in the Terra Alta region, whose history dates back more than 100 years. The main building of the cooperative was built in 1919 in a modernist style by Antonio Gaudi’s student Cesar Martinell. It is one of the first wine cathedrals, an architectural monument, and one of the Seven Wonders of Catalonia. Its body is formed by two naves with parabolic arches and brick vaults. The lower level contains underground tanks and an oil mill. Bottled and draft wines are produced here, as well as cava, vinegar, and olive oil. Cooperativa Gandesa is open to the public with a guided tour and audio guide.
Cava Guilera is a small family-run winery, operating since 1927, specializing exclusively in the production of cava. It is located in the Penedes region and grows three sorts of white grapes — Xarello, Parellada, and Macabeu. Since 2013 it has been CCPAE environmentally certified. About 40,000 bottles are produced here annually with an aging period of 18 months. The winery has a collection of 200,000 specimens, the oldest of which are 17 years old. Everyone can come to Cava Guilera and participate in Spanish sparkling wine tasting in Catalonia. Between the vineyards, there is a clearing where you can stay for a couple of nights in a tent or with your motorhome.
Castell Del Remei is one of the oldest wineries in Catalonia. It is located in the Costers del Segre region and follows the model of French Bordeaux. It is the first Catalan winery dedicated to the production and labeling of aged wines. Their grapes are grown in this area, as well as in the mountains nearby. Sorts include Grenache, Tempranillo, Cariñena, Trepat, Malvasia, Macabeu, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. There are about 1000 barrels in the Castell Del Remei cellar. On the territory, there is a castle of the same name, open to the public, a wine cellar, an enoteca, an exhibition hall, and a temple in the style of Italian classicism.
Read also: A guide to Catalonia — the birthplace of Gaudi and Dalí
It is more convenient to start your journey through the wine regions of Catalonia from Barcelona. The major Josep Tarradellas-El Prat International Airport is located here. The largest train station in the region, Barcelona Sants, is also located there.
Some vineyards in Catalonia have hotels and farmhouses where you can stay overnight. The hosts conduct tours for guests, during which it is easy to learn everything about the local wine industry.
Cava & Hotel Mastinell is located in the town of Vilafranca del Penedès in the Penedès region. It is located on the territory of a high-quality winery that has won international awards. The hotel has been operating since 2013 and looks very unusual — like two rows of cava bottles covered with a wavy roof. This design is somewhat reminiscent of the works of Gaudi. Only environmentally friendly materials were used during construction and interior design. On the ground floor of the Cava & Hotel Mastinell, there is the En Rima restaurant, where dishes are prepared exclusively from local products. Guests can take a tour of the vineyards and cellar and taste the wine.
Hotel Peralada Wine Spa & Golf is located in the municipality of Peralada in the Empordà wine region, near Girona. It consists of 64 rooms, decorated with natural materials. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, gym, golf course, lounge, work rooms, fashion boutique and wine shop. Hotel Peralada Wine Spa & Golf has two bars, as well as two restaurants — Castell Peralada Restaurant with one Michelin star under the direction of Javi Martinez and L’Olivera Restaurant under the patronage of the star Paco Perez. The spa with its unique wine treatments deserves special mention. And you should visit the new Perelada winery, which has a modern design by RCR Architects.
Alzina de Merola is a farmhouse from 1793 located on the grounds of the Celler Sanmartí winery in the Pla de Bages region. The building is surrounded by mixed forests and fields. 12 people can enjoy nature at the same time, who will have 4 bedrooms with private bathrooms. The house has a kitchen, a dining room with a long table, and a living room with a fireplace and panoramic views.
The Celler Sanmartí winery itself revives the tradition of winemaking, which has been practiced on this site since 996. The wine is produced in a historical cellar, where classical technologies are combined with the latest developments. For example, red wine is fermented in ancient ceramic vats with a modern system for controlling the temperature and quality of the drink. The vineyards grow sorts of Macabeu, Sumoll, Picapol, Mando, and Grenache.
Casa Gran 1771 is a boutique hotel associated with the Montrubí winery in the town of L’Avellà in the Penedès region. It is located in a house whose construction was completed in 1771. And in 2021, a global reconstruction was carried out, preserving everything in its original form. The rooms are well equipped, some of them have a private balcony. Guests of the hotel have access to Chalet MontRubí, which features a wine bar with a terrace, a restaurant, and a wood-paneled living room. Also, everyone can swim in the outdoor pool, go for a massage, go to the gym, and use the relaxation room with a fireplace. Montrubí produces organic wines from the Sumel, Macabeo, Cariñena, Garnatxa, Parellada, and Xarello sorts.
Buil & Giné is a small hotel attached to the family winery of the same name in the Priorat region. It consists of just three rooms with an outdoor terrace overlooking the vineyards. A bottle of wine is included in the price. On the top floor of the winery, there is the AMICS restaurant, representing the culinary traditions of Priorat. Breakfast is served here for hotel guests. The Buil & Giné vineyards grow Grenache, Cariñena, Monsan, and Malvasia, as well as the autochthonous sorts Tinta de Toro and Verdejo. All of them demonstrate the character of their region.
Allella is the closest region from the north of Barcelona, and Penedes is from the south.
Near Barcelona, there is the Allella region, which is famous for white wine of varying levels of strength and age. The main grape sort is Xarello.
Castell Del Remei is one of the oldest wineries in Catalonia, Spain. It is located in a historic mansion in the Costers del Segre region.
There are 11 DO regions and one DOQ in Catalonia.
Barcelona is famous for its sparkling Cava wine, which is produced around the Catalan capital.
In Catalonia, red wine is written as Vi negre and white wine as Vi blanc.
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