Penedès is a Certified Origin, in Spanish ”Denominación de Origen”( D.O.), for wines in Catalonia. Penedès DO includes all Penedès region and municipalities of four other counties: Anoia, Alt Camp, Baix Llobregat and Tarragonès.
Penedès, an ancient viticultre area
it is also one of the most ancient viticulture areas in Europe. Perhaps better-known for its cava production (a sparkling wine which has had its own” Denominación de Origen” since 1986) and also white grape varieties predominate.
Penedès is widely acknowledged to be home to the most modern and innovative of Spanish growers. There are hundreds of independent producers, the most famous of which is probably Bodegas Torres, producer of the popular ‘Sangre de Toro’ (Bull’s Blood, not to be confused with the Hungarian bull’s blood Egri Bikavér) as well as many other fine still wines. Other notable houses include Pinord, Jean León, and Masia Bach, alongside more well-known Cava producers like Freixenet, Juvé y Camps and Codorníu.
white grape varieties
The DO Penedès is widely recognized for the quality of its white wines, combining a range of wines made with traditional varieties (Xarel·lo, Macabeu and Parellada) with others made from varieties successfully introduced to the region over the years (Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc…) With Xarel·lo based wines as the standard-bearer, the DO Penedès’ wines are all aroma, taste and quality. A pleasure for the senses.
Most Penedès whites are drunk young, in the year after bottling, when their sensory properties are at their peak.
Producers also make whites fermented or aged in barrels, discovering other extraordinary sensations, wines that can age well over two to five years.
When pairing with food, these whites match fish and seafood prepared without sauces; oysters, eggs and cold dishes and fresh or lightly cured cheeses.
red grape varieties
Fruit of years of experimentation and constant innovation, recovering indigenous varieties that had been lost and attention to new consumer tendencies, the DO Penedès offers an exquisite range of quality red wines. A luxury for the senses.…
The red wines of the Penedès improve with the passage of time if kept in the appropriate conditions (protected from light, smells and vibrations and at a constant temperature not above 15°C).
Pending on the vintage and the grape variety, they should evolve well for 4-5 years. At the table, a Reserva, or simply just a good Penedès red is best matched to red meats and roasts. For more aromatic reds, white meats and blue cheeses make an ideal pairing.
Producers also make whites fermented or aged in barrels, discovering other extraordinary sensations, wines that can age well over two to five years.
When pairing with food, these whites match fish and seafood prepared without sauces; oysters, eggs and cold dishes and fresh or lightly cured cheeses.
red grape varieties
Fruit of years of experimentation and constant innovation, recovering indigenous varieties that had been lost and attention to new consumer tendencies, the DO Penedès offers an exquisite range of quality red wines. A luxury for the senses.…
The red wines of the Penedès improve with the passage of time if kept in the appropriate conditions (protected from light, smells and vibrations and at a constant temperature not above 15°C).
Pending on the vintage and the grape variety, they should evolve well for 4-5 years. At the table, a Reserva, or simply just a good Penedès red is best matched to red meats and roasts. For more aromatic reds, white meats and blue cheeses make an ideal pairing.