Wines from Catalonia: an expert guide and the best bottles to buy

A information to wines from Catalonia

Catalonia’s most well-known wine is cava, the go-to for thus many people once we need cut price bubbles and one thing rather less candy than most prosecco. Most comes from the Penedès area, south-west of Barcelona, and is made in the identical method as champagne, although often with much less lees ageing so it’s much less advanced.

Trusted manufacturers embrace Segura Viudas, Campo Viejo and Codorníu however the area’s most fascinating fizz is corpinnat, a brand new designation launched in 2019 for high-quality glowing wines. Understandably extra pricey than mass-market cavas – they have to be comprised of manually harvested, natural grapes, vinified on the property and aged for a minimum of 18 months earlier than disgorging – corpinnat barely confuses the cava class however is a dependable marker of the perfect.

Macabeo, parellada and xarel·lo are the extensively used indigenous white grapes – they’re all the time utilized in cava however may make excellent nonetheless wine. Thrilling reds to look out for embrace sumoll and trepat, whereas white and pink grenache (garnatxa in Catalan) are additionally generally grown. Brisat is the Catalan identify for skin-contact or orange wine – now so stylish however in actual fact the normal method of creating wine right here.

Winemaking was launched to the area by the Phoenicians, who traded Catalan wine with the Egyptians 2,500 years in the past, and is embedded into the agricultural tradition. In distinction to the rolling hills of Penedès is the rugged, mountainous Priorat area, recognized for its prestigious, highly effective pink wines made on its mineral-rich slate slopes. It’s cradled by Montsant, a more moderen denomination that’s equally dramatic and makes equally good reds at a typically lower cost. Look out for wines from Terra Alta, an up-and coming appellation with many dynamic producers doing actually fascinating issues that, like all the very best winemaking in Catalonia, embody the fiesty, artistic spirit of the area as a complete.

Finest wine to purchase from Catalonia

Casa Mariol Garnatxa Negra

From this revolutionary household vineyard primarily based in Terra Alta, with a watch on sustainability and low-intervention manufacturing, a beautiful, crunchy, trendy garnatxa. Very versatile with meals, chill it barely to profit from its thirst-quenching freshness. Casa Mariol additionally makes unbelievable vermouths (vermut in Catalan) and has a really cool wine bar in Barcelona that’s properly price a go to.

Llopart Unique 1887 Brut Nature Gran Reserva, Corpinnat 2011

The Llopart household has been cultivating vines because the 14th century and was the co-founder of the corpinnat label. It is a effective instance, dominated by the little-known montònega grape, together with macabeo and xarel·lo, a full 9 years on its lees provides outstanding depth and complexity. Creamy layers of peachy fruit, roast nuts and heat pastry ending with a zesty freshness.

Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro

Familia Torres, primarily based in Catalonia, is the biggest wine producer in Spain, now within the fifth technology of household possession. Its wines are extensively out there – attempt Viña Sol for a crowd-pleasing dry white – and that is additionally a deal with. Seductively fragrant with rose petals, marmalade, honey and heat spice, it’s candy however not sticky. Get pleasure from it chilled as an aperitif or sip it with blue cheese and fruity puddings.

The place to go to in Catalonia

Terra Dominicata

Set within the dramatic panorama of the Montsant Nationwide Park, this beautiful boutique lodge in Priorat is a superbly restored Carthusian monastery about two hours’ drive from Barcelona. Distant however luxurious, with jaw-dropping views and all mod cons together with a pool and outside spa. Go to the on-site vineyard, take a yoga class or rent a motorcycle to work up an urge for food, then drink from the very stylish wine listing within the wonderful restaurant overlooking vineyards and olive groves. terradominicata.com

Doubles from £318, examine charges and availability at reserving.com or mrandmrssmith.com

Extra wine guides

Sonoma County wine: an skilled guideBest Chilean wineBest Tuscan wineBest Greek wineBest German wineBest Hungarian wineOrange wine guideGuide to Italian glowing wineBest wine subscriptionsBest Sancerre and Loire valley winesBest Slovenian wineBest Rhône Valley wine