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

❚ This page contains some affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases made, but this comes at no extra cost to you and does not influence our editorial choices.

A guide to wines from Catalonia

Catalonia’s most famous wine is cava, the go-to for so many of us when we want bargain bubbles and something a little less sweet than most prosecco. Most comes from the Penedès region, south-west of Barcelona, and is made in the same way as champagne, though usually with less lees ageing so it’s less complex.

Trusted brands include Segura Viudas, Campo Viejo and Codorníu but the region’s most interesting fizz is corpinnat, a new designation launched in 2019 for high-quality sparkling wines. Understandably more costly than mass-market cavas – they must be made from manually harvested, organic grapes, vinified at the estate and aged for at least 18 months before disgorging – corpinnat slightly confuses the cava category but is a reliable marker of the very best.

Macabeo, parellada and xarel·lo are the widely used indigenous white grapes – they are always used in cava but can also make very good still wine. Exciting reds to look out for include sumoll and trepat, while white and red grenache (garnatxa in Catalan) are also commonly grown. Brisat is the Catalan name for skin-contact or orange wine – now so trendy but in fact the traditional way of making wine here.

Winemaking was introduced to the region by the Phoenicians, who traded Catalan wine with the Egyptians 2,500 years ago, and is embedded into the rural culture. In contrast to the rolling hills of Penedès is the rugged, mountainous Priorat region, known for its prestigious, powerful red wines made on its mineral-rich slate slopes. It is cradled by Montsant, a newer denomination that is equally dramatic and makes equally good reds at a generally lower price. Look out for wines from Terra Alta, an up-and coming appellation with many dynamic producers doing really interesting things that, like all the best winemaking in Catalonia, embody the fiesty, creative spirit of the region as a whole.

Best wine to buy from Catalonia

Casa Mariol Garnatxa Negra

Available from 9 Elms Wines (£13.49)

From this innovative family winery based in Terra Alta, with an eye on sustainability and low-intervention production, a gorgeous, crunchy, modern garnatxa. Very versatile with food, chill it slightly to make the most of its thirst-quenching freshness. Casa Mariol also makes fantastic vermouths (vermut in Catalan) and has a very cool wine bar in Barcelona that’s well worth a visit.

Llopart Original 1887 Brut Nature Gran Reserva, Corpinnat 2011

Available from The Wine Society (£45.50)

The Llopart family has been cultivating vines since the 14th century and was the co-founder of the corpinnat label. This is a fine example, dominated by the little-known montònega grape, along with macabeo and xarel·lo, a full nine years on its lees gives remarkable depth and complexity. Creamy layers of peachy fruit, roast nuts and warm pastry finishing with a zesty freshness.

Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro

Available from Ocado (£11.15)

Familia Torres, based in Catalonia, is the largest wine producer in Spain, now in the fifth generation of family ownership. Its wines are widely available – try Viña Sol for a crowd-pleasing dry white – and this is also a treat. Seductively aromatic with rose petals, marmalade, honey and warm spice, it’s sweet but not sticky. Enjoy it chilled as an aperitif or sip it with blue cheese and fruity puddings.

Where to visit in Catalonia

Terra Dominicata

Set in the dramatic landscape of the Montsant National Park, this gorgeous boutique hotel in Priorat is a beautifully restored Carthusian monastery about two hours’ drive from Barcelona. Remote but luxurious, with jaw-dropping views and all mod cons including a pool and outdoor spa. Visit the on-site winery, take a yoga class or hire a bike to work up an appetite, then drink from the very classy wine list in the excellent restaurant overlooking vineyards and olive groves. terradominicata.com

Doubles from £318, check rates and availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com