Penedes

Penedès is a Denominación de Origen (DO, or designation of origin) wine region in eastern Spain. One of Spain's finest wine producing regions, the Penedès DO was founded in 1991 and is located in Catalonia less than an hour’s drive from Barcelona. The region is split into three subzones-Alt Penedès, the most inland and mountainous subzone, Penedès Central in the southwest (and home to the majority of the wine production), and Baix Penedès in the low-lying coastal areas. Wine making in the region dates back many centuries and the Romans have left many vestiges of their wine production here, which can be seen in the wine museum in Villafranca del Penedès, one of the principal wine towns of the region. It is the home of traditional method sparkling, white and rosé Cava produced from the local varieties Xarel.lo, Macabeo and Parellada, and white and red table wines from a number of varieties.

• Key Varieties: Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel.lo. Tempranillo, and Garnacha.
• Climate: Mainly Mediterranean climate, with many microclimates.
• Soil: Primarily limestone and clay.
• Did You Know: Penedès is the birthplace of organic wine in Spain.