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Penedès
Penedès lies between Barcelona and Tarragona. The region is the heart of Spanish cava production.
Our range includes wines from Penedès by Torres. If you would like to explore Spain further, you will also find Ribera del Duero, Rioja and Priorat in our range.
Grapes and style
Penedès is the best-known wine region of Catalonia and is closely associated with sparkling wine. For the bubbles, the local white grapes macabeo, xarel·lo and parellada are mainly used, which together give fresh, spicy wines with a mineral touch. Still wines are also made from chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and tempranillo, among others, alongside xarel·lo and other local grapes. The style ranges from fresh and simple to ripe and structured.
Location and soil
Penedès lies south-west of Barcelona, between the Mediterranean Sea and the inland mountains. The region is roughly divided into three zones: the coast, the middle zone and the higher areas further inland. The climate becomes cooler with increasing altitude, so that fresh white wines and elegant sparkling wines grow in the higher vineyards, while the lower parts are warmer and better suited to ripe red grapes. The soils consist mainly of chalk, clay and sand.
Classification and rules
Penedès is a DO. Cava, the Spanish sparkling wine made by the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle, has a DO of its own that is not tied to a single region, although the majority of it is produced in Penedès. For Cava there are categories according to time spent ageing in the bottle. Still wines that fall under the DO Penedès follow their own set of rules with permitted grapes and yields.
Ageing and serving
Young white wines and rosé from Penedès are best drunk fresh and chilled, at around 8 to 10 °C for sparkling wines and slightly warmer for still wines. Aged Cava with long bottle ageing has more depth and can also be served a little warmer. Penedès pairs well with tapas, shellfish, grilled fish, paella and light dishes. The better red wines combine well with grilled meat.
Producer in our range
This producer features in our Penedès range: Torres (Mas la Plana and Gran Coronas).
More from Spain
You will find more wines from Spain under Ribera del Duero, Rioja and Priorat.