Cataluña (Catalunya)

DO region located on the Mediterranean coast in the region of Catalonia in north-east Spain. Starting from the coast and moving inland, it is divided into three zones. The warmest zone is Bajo-Penedès (or Baix-Penedès) in the low-lying coastal area, at altitudes of up to 250 metres above sea level. The second zone is Mitja-Penedès (or Medio-Penedès) located to the west of Barcelona, at altitudes of up to 500 metres above sea level, this is the most important area for sparkling wines and for high-quality white wines. The third zone is Alta-Penedès (or Alt-Penedès), this is the highest-lying area, at up to 850 metres above sea level. The vineyard area totals 26.500 hectares. Prior to 1876, when phylloxera struck the region, more than 80% of the vineyard area in Penedès was planted with red varieties, most of which went into the production of wines for mass consumption. A concentration on quality, and subsequent improved image, has been seen here since the early 1960’s, the region is considered to be the birthplace of modern Spanish wine production. Penedès is also the home of the Spanish sparkling wine Cava, with around two thirds of the volume produced in Spain coming from this region. However, the DO classification applies only to still wines. More than 100 grape varieties are grown, some of them indigenous varieties, with 15 varieties permitted for the production of DO wines. Two thirds of the varieties are white varieties. The most important varieties are the white Parellada (most widely planted), Macabeo, Xarel-Lo, Muscat d´Alexandrie (for sweet fortified wines), Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc Gewürztraminer and Riesling, as well as the red varieties Garnacha, Monastrell, Cariñena, Tempranillo (Ull de Llebre), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Well-known producers (of sparkling and/or still wines) include Albet i Noya, Canals Nadal, Cavas Hill, Juvé y Camps, Codorníu, Ferret, Freixenet, Jané Ventura, Jean León, Marqués de Monistrol, Mas Comtal, Masía Bach, Miguel Torres, Pere Ventura, Pinord, Puig y Roca, Torrelavit, Vallformosa and Winner Wines.