The same applies to wines. A very eclectic winemaking approach that expresses its many different terroirs. We can find different Dos (wine appellations) with Catalonia: Alella is the closest to Barcelona on its north. Penedes, south of Barcelona is the largest and also world-famous thanks to Cava and to a top producer like bodegas Torres. Priorato or Priorat, the red wine region in Tarragona is probably the most traditional, yet most modern DO in Catalonia. It offers a unique microclimate and soil. But the amount of wine appellations goes on and on: Tarragona, Montsant (which is located right next to Priorat), Terra Alta on the west bordering Aragon, Costers del Segre in Lleida and Conca de Barbera.
Modern Catalan wines virtually reinvented itself in recent times. Large wineries like Torres co-exist with small boutique producers that try to extract the essence of a single plot. With so many different sub-regions and approaches to wine, it is almost impossible to get bored and not to fall in love with the wines from this beautiful part of Spain.
In Catalonia there are as many as 11 Denomination of Origin with a wine-making tadition dating back to centuries in certain cases. The Catalunya Denominations of Origin is the only one which has been created in more recent years, and its vineyards cover the whole Catalonia territory.
The most outstanding DO is Cava, Spain´s most famous sparkling wine. Catalonia holds 90% of cava production, in an area comprised between Barcelona and Tarragona; The remaining 10% is shared among other regions. This provides a very varied reality. Wines from Catalonia is not an easy topic to cover! You can clearly see what we mean by having a look at the Catalonia wine map on this link. So much variety to enjoy and taste!