Catalonia and its wines

The Catalonia (Catalunya in Catalan) is one of the most dynamic and diverse wine regions in Spain, in the far north-east of the Iberian peninsula, looking out over the Mediterranean Sea.

The area

The planted area extends from the coastal plains up to the inland mountain zones and the Pyrenees, with a wide range of climates, soils and altitudes that allow an extraordinary range of wines to be produced.

Historically, Catalonia has been a crossroads of cultures and winemaking techniques, and today it is known worldwide above all for Cava, the traditional method sparkling wine produced largely in the Penedès area, but also for structured reds, aromatic whites and fine sweet wines such as the Vins Dolços Naturals.

What is the Catalonia wine region?

Catalonia is divided into 12 main appellations, including:

• DO Penedès – the centre of Cava production and of fresh whites

• DO Priorat – intense, mineral reds from Garnacha and Cariñena

• DO Montsant – very high quality alternatives to Priorat

• DO Empordà – reds and rosés on the French border

• DO Terra Alta – Fine Garnacha Blanca

• DO Conca de Barberà, Costers del Segre, Alella, Pla de Bages, Tarragona, Catalunya DO (regional)

Characteristics of Catalonia Wines

Colour

• Sparkling wines (Cava): Bright straw yellow with a fine perlage

• Whites: From pale straw to light gold

• Reds: Deep ruby in the young wines, garnet in the mature ones

Aromas

• Whites: White fruit, citrus, floral and mineral notes

• Reds: Ripe black fruit, Mediterranean herbs, sweet spices

• Cava: Green apple, bread crust, almond

Palate

• Whites: Fresh, balanced, at times savoury

• Reds: Structured, complex, with ripe tannins

• Cava: Dry, elegant, with lively acidity

Typical Grape Varieties of Catalonia

White Grape

• Macabeo (Viura)

• Xarel·lo

• Parellada

• Garnacha Blanca

• Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscatel

Black Grape

• Garnacha (Grenache)

• Cariñena (Carignan)

• Tempranillo

• Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

Why choose a wine from Catalonia?

• For the a variety of styles: from fresh sparkling wines to opulent reds

• For the the international quality of Cava

• For the artisan production in the mountain areas

• For the link with the Mediterranean and Catalan cooking