Catalonia

Catalonia (or Cataluña/Catalunya as it can also be spelt) encompasses a varied range of DO appellations: Catalunya, Costers del Segre, Tarragona, Pla de Bages, Empordà-Costa Brava, Allella, Conca de Barberà, Montsant, Terra Alta, Penedès and Priorat. Catalonia is the heartland of Cava, Spain's answer to Champagne, but in recent decades the region has earned a reputation for producing a diverse and exciting range of still red and white wines of impeccable quality – at their best – from an astonishing array of local and international grape varieties. The principal white varieties used are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Garnacha Blanca, Xarel-lo, Moscatel, Parellada and Macabeo.  The red grapes are Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Garnacha Tinta, Trepat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Monastrell, Carinena (Mazuelo), and the ancient (revived) grapes of Garró and Samsó.