Located halfway between Barcelona and Tarragona in the northern province of Catalonia, Spain, the Penedès appellation covers a vast area stretching from the mountains of the Montserrat massif to the Mediterranean Sea.
The very hilly Penedès region enjoys a great diversity of micro-climates that have a dominating Mediterranean climate.
The DO Penedès (Denominación de Origen) is divided into 3 regions: Penedès Superior (located in the immediate vicinity of the mountains), Penedès Marítim (extending over an area nestled along the coast) and Penedès Central (located around the plains).
All the diversity of the DO Penedès is based the region’s uniqueness that results in a countless number of wine styles with particular aromatic and fruit expressions that interpret the differences in climate, soils and areas.
The DO Penedès is renowned its quality white wines that blend indigenous grape varieties like Xarel-lo, Macabeu and Parellada with other international varieties that have been introduced to the region over the years (Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc).
As the region’s flagship variety, Xarel-lo is the most widely planted with a production area of 7,000 hectares.
The white wines of Penedès should be drunk young within a year of bottling. They are famous for the aromatic freshness and vivacity in the mouth. Some producers, however, let their wines age in oak barrels, especially for Xarel-lo. The result gives round, ample wines with a mineral finish, as well as the potential for ageing.
The DO Penedès is no exception for red wines and offers an incredible range of excellent quality, especially from indigenous grape varieties. Garnatxa (Grenache) is largely cultivated throughout DO Penedès. Indigenous varieties like Monastrell and Samsó are grown in Baix Penedès, and Ull de Lebre can be found in the central and upper regions of Penedès. International grape varieties (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir) are also used.
Finally, the DO Penedès also offers a sparkling wine in limited quantities called Clàssic Penedès. This is very strictly regulated and exclusively produced inside DO Penedès from indigenous varieties. Produced using ancestral traditions and methods, this sparkling wine has to be aged a minimum of 15 months in the cellar before being sold.
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