Catalonia is home of some of the best wines in the world. Wine and food define our culture and folklore. Priorat, Penedes, Cava, and much more. Keep reading to learn more about the best wines in Catalonia.
Brief History Of Wine In Catalonia
The Greek colonies in the Emporda region introduced the cultivation of vines probably over 2000 years ago. Later, the Romans centralized the production around Tarraco (Tarragona) and Alella, near Barcino (Barcelona).
During the medieval ages, monasteries developed and improved the varieties, such as in the cases of Priorat.
Catalan Wine Industry Nowadays
The Industry nowadays represents ~25% of the total Spanish production of wine with ~380 million bottles per year.
Spanish Wine Guides
Grapes Used In Catalan Wine
Native Catalan Grape Varieties
- Macabeu (aka Macabeo, or Viura in Rioja region)
- Xarel·lo (aka Pansa blanca in Alella)
- Picapoll.
- Sumoll (Red)
- Trepat (Red)
Traditional Catalan Grapes
- Garnatxa (aka Garnacha or Grenache)
- Malvasia
- Monestrell
- Moscatell (aka Moscatel)
- Parellada
- Samsó
- Ull de llebre (aka Tempranillo)
In addition to the native and traditional grape varieties, Catalan wineries also produce international modern varieties such as:
International Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinor Noir
- Syrah
- Merlot
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Cabernet Franc
Best Catalan Wine Producing Regions – Overview
Wineries produce wines across all Catalonia, yet administratively wine production is organised in 11 protected regions, each of them with very marked styles and production qualities.
DO is an adnimistrative label and stands for “denominacio d’origen” (origin denomination) and DOQ for the higher-quality “denominacio d’origen de qualitat” (quality origin denomination).
Catalan DO and DOQ regions (A to Z)
DO Alella
The closest wine region to Barcelona, well know for its local white grape “pansa blanca“.
DO Catalunya
Overarching brand for any other certified wines that do not fall under specific Catalan Wine DO areas.
DO Cava
Internationally famous sparkling wines similar to Champagne or Prosecco. Recommended wineries include Codorniu & Freixenet.
DO Conca del Barbera
Mostly white from indigenous varieties.
DO Costers del Segre
Continental climates & low rainfall. Recommended wineries include Raimat. Rather small Denomination of Origen, with not less than 36 wineries totalling more than 4,000 ha of vines. There are two main types of areas: the rather warm fruit-tree areas near Lleida and Les Garrigues, and the higher altitude regions near Artesa de Segre, and Pallars.
DO Emporda
Historical wine region famous for beautiful reds and fantastic landscapes. Recommended Wineries: Perelada.
DO Montsant
Old garnacha & carinena vines produce deep reds.
DO Penedes
Polyvalent leading wine area near Barcelona. Recommended wineries: Torres, Gramona.
DO Pla de Bages
Mostly international red varieties. Check Oller de Mas
DOQ Priorat
World class full red wines. Recommended. Wineries: Mas Martinet.
DO Tarragona
Historical wine region with lovely coastal whites.
DO Terra Alta
Southern-most vineyards producing highland whites.
Let’s Focus on The BEST Catalan Wine Regions
DOQ Priorat
Priorat wines are some of the best wines in the world. Most Priorat wines rank as excellent reds and are suitable for in-cellar ageing.
Priorat is also one of the most famous wine areas in Spain, along with Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
Wine production in Priorat
The Carthusian monks farmed the Priorat area for 800 years until the late 1800s when the government expropiated and then auctioned the lands to local farmers. Later that century the phylloxera blight destroyed the crops and farmers started planting hazelnuts and almonds.
By 1910 wine cooperatives dominated the production of wine and until 30 years ago Priorat was mostly known for sacramental wine
In the 1980s Priorat wineries from the rest of Spain such Alvaro Palacios or Rene Barbier revived the old Carthusian vineyards to produce some of the finest wines in Spain.
Visit a winery in Priorat
Most of the wineries offer private tours and tastings. Do not miss the remnants of the priory Scala Dei (“God’s Stairway”) and the museum devoted to the history of Priorat.
Visit a winery in Priorat will require arranging private transportation but it’s 100% recommended. Most Priorat wineries are located about 2h away from Barcelona. Most offer a 1h tour visit plus tasting for 10-15EUR.
Recommended wineries to visit: Mas Martinet, Vall Llach, Cellers Scala Dei
Grapes used in Priorat Wines
- Native Spanish Grapes
- Garnacha
- Cariñena
- International Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
Recommended DOQ Priorat Wines:
- Martinet Bru, Red, 92 Parker (19EUR)
- Plaer, Red, 92 Parker (19EUR)
- Les Terrasses (Alvaro Palacios)
- Finca Dofi (Alvaro Palacios)
DO Penedes
Just outside of Barcelona, about 30 km away and reachable by public transport, the Penedes region produces the world-famous Cava sparkling wine.
The region hosts some of the most modern production facilities and wineries in the world, and is famous for producing excellent Cava sparkling wines, following the traditional method fermentation in the bottle.
Cava sparkling wines, the Catalan version of Champagne, are protected under a different DO Cava, which includes areas in Catalunya and beyond. They are fantastic value for money.
The Penedes region concentrates some of the leading Spanish wine producers such as Torres, Freixenet, and Codorniu.
In addition to Cava sparkling wines, Penedes produces high-quality table wine,
Grapes used in Penedes Wines
- For Cava Sparkling Wine
- Macabeo
- Parellada
- Xarello
- Chardonnay
- For Red Wine
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Garnacha
- Merlot
- For White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Parellada
- Macabeo
- Riesling
- Gewurztrammer
Recommended DO Penedes Wines:
- Can Sumoi Xarel.lo, White, 91 Parker, (11EUR)
- Miranius, White, 91 Parker, (10EUR)
- Mas La Plana, (Torres)
Recommended DO Cava Sparkling Wines:
- Segura Viudas Etiqueta Purpura
- Juve i Camps
- Codorniu
Visiting a Winery in Penedes
If you are curious about the process of wine-making, go on a day trip to a Penedes winery to visit one of the local wineries.
RELATED: Top 5 Painless Day Trips From Barcelona (Using Public Transport)
Visiting a winery near Barcelona as a day trip is totally feasible: for example Torres organizes great visits paired with wine-tasting, all bookable online.
DO Montsant
Wines from Montsant region are usually full-bodied garnacha reds. They are similar to Priorat, but usually offer a much better price-quality ratio.
Recommended DO Montsant Wines:
Les Argiles D’Orto, Red, 91 Parker(8EUR)
Where To Buy Catalan Wine In Barcelona?
My favorite wine shops are El Celler D’En Dani and Vila Vinateca, and Vinissimus franchise stores.
Having said this, in Barcelona and Spain, virtually every supermarket has a relatively acceptable set of wines and cavas – even 24h shops.
Larger supermarkets and specialised shops are also recommended, for example La Tienda del Gourmet in El Corte Ingles.
Where Drink Catalan Wine In Barcelona?
Try with El Diset in el Born or La Vinoteca Torres in Passeig de Gracia.
Where To Buy Catalan Wine Online?
What are the best online wine stores selling Catalan wine?
Try Decantalo or Enterwine. Great assortment and Europe-wide deliveries at very competitive prices.
Buying online is specially recommended for purchased of 6 or more bottles or special wines that are hard to find in local shops.
What’s your favorite wine?