📍 Catalonia

Catalonia is an autonomous region in north-eastern Spain. It is one of the most important wine regions of the country: cava, Spanish sparkling wine, was born here, and so was the famous red Priorat.

The main areas are Penedès (the cava centre around Sant Sadurní d'Anoia), Priorat, Montsant, Empordà, Costers del Segre and Terra Alta. Cava is made from the white grapes Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada by the classic method, like Champagne. In Priorat, reds (Garnacha and Cariñena) grow on dark slate soils called llicorella on steep terraces; Priorat is one of two Spanish appellations of the top DOCa category (the other is Rioja). Terra Alta is known for white Garnacha Blanca.

Other names are Alella, Conca de Barberà, Pla de Bages and Tarragona. Local grapes include Trepat, Sumoll, Escanyavella, Mando and Garró.

Catalonia is part of Spanish winemaking. A bottle labelled Cava may come from another region, but most cava is made here. Cava goes well with appetisers and tapas, and red Priorat with roast meat and aged cheeses. The name Catalonia on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.