One of the most important things to know about when it comes to wine, outside of wine grape varieties, is the various wine regions around the world.

Seriously, to get the most out of your buck when you are buying wine and the most out of your overall experience when you are drinking it, it really does pay to have a decent grasp of important wine regions. I think this is true whether you are just getting into wine, an avid enthusiast, or a formal student.

But here’s the problem. There are SO many wine regions. Seriously. So many. People often talk about whole countries or large swaths of a country as though these are wine regions in and of themselves and yes, technically they are. But the reality with wine is that things get microscopically more specific in most parts of the world, and fast! It is not at all unusual for provinces, counties, towns and parts of the aforementioned to also and frequently be referred to as wine regions.

All this to say that it’s complicated. And sufficiently fascinating too. One could spend many days and months (if not years!) delving in this topic and learning all that there is to know….and possibly still come up short. As someone who studies wine intensely, I’m willing to grind it out and learn such things. And of course, share what I know in bite sized pieces with you!

Today, we are in Spain, looking at one of Spain’s most important wine producing regions after Rioja. Let’s get into it. I promise to keep it brief but insightful! ;-)

All About Penedès

Location:

Located in north east Spain in the region of Cataluña (a.k.a Catalonia in English), the Penedès wine region is the largest demarcated and protected wine region (“D.O.P”) in Cataluña, which is itself also a demarcated wine region. Located only 40 minutes away from Barcelona, Penedès is a tourist hotspot and a beautiful part of the country, nestled between the sea and the mountains.

Geographical Features

As noted above, Penedès is nestled between multiple mountain ranges and the Mediterranean sea. The region is divided into the following three distinct zones:

• Bajo - the lowest zone in terms of elevation, located right along the sea and also the warmest;

• Medio - a broad valley located about 500m above sea level and also the main heart of Cava production; and

• Superior - located between 500 - 800m above sea level, this is the coolest part of Penedès and is known for fresh and modern white wines.

Wines of the Region:

While there is no one distinct wine style here, the most famous wine export from this region is in fact Spain’s answer to Champagne, i.e. Cava.

But the Penedès wine region is actually widely planted with a wide range of grapes and is also associated with the production of excellent dry wines. This latter fact is certainly less known outside of Spain, which is a shame. The still wines of this region are also often overshadowed by wines from Priorat, which is not all that far away and definitely more esteemed.

Grapes Grown in the Region:

A very wide range of grapes are grown here. Here is a brief listing, to name a few:

• Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada (all used in the production of Cava);

• Tempranillo (a.k.a “Ull de Llebre” locally);

• Traditional European varieties such as:

  • Muscat

  • Grenache

  • Carignan (a.k.a “Samsó” locally)

  • Monastrell

  • Riesling

  • Chardonnay.

Climate: Mediterranean

Famous Associations: The Spanish mega-producer Torres is located in the Penedès D.O.P.

Click here for a more in-depth overview of the Penedès region.