The Penedes Wine Region
Tours, accommodation and transportation in Penedes
Penedès is one of the most important Wine Regions in Spain. The wine region has more than 150 wineries and covers a large territory between the sea and the mountains. Penedes is located in the province of Barcelona, between the Catalan pre-coastal land and the plains that reach the Mediterranean coast. The Penedès is divided into three areas: Upper Penedès (Alt Penedès, Alt Camp, Anoia and Baix Llobregat), central Penedès and Maritime Penedès (Bajo Penedès: Baix Penedès and Garraf).
Location and climate
Due to the great diversity of climates, in general Mediterranean, soft and warm and because of the diversity in altitude (up to 800 meters above sea level), soils, rainfall and temperatures, the great diversity of the wines of Denomination of Origin of Penedès is born , with a thousand different flavors and aromas, fruit of the climatic differences and the variety of its soils.
The soils of the D.O. Penedès are characterized by being poor in organic matter and not very fertile. They are deep lands, not very sandy or very clayey, they are permeable and retain well the rainwater.
Variety of grapes, production and important wineries
Red grapes: Garnacha (traditional Mediterranean variety), Merlot (produces aromatic, corpulent and tannic wines), Cariñena, Ull de llebre (Tempranillo), Pinot Noir (traditional Penedès variety, produces aromatic wines and good aging), Monastrell (typical of the Mediterranean, produces wines of deep color), Cabernet Sauvignon (wines of intense color, the aromas improve with the aging), Syrah (oriental variety, produces corpulent wines, of intense color, alcoholic and a slight perfume to violet) and Sumoll.
White: Macabeo, Xarel.lo (traditional variety, typical of the Penedès area), Parellada (the finest variety among the traditional Penedès), Chardonay (introduced in the sixties, is also used for the production of cava), Riesling , Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Muscat of Alexandria (produces dry and sweet wines, was planted in the time of the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans throughout the Mediterranean) and white Garnatxa.
To the south of the area of D.O. Penedès, the D.O.Q. Priorat The latter is increasing production in recent years, but even so in terms of production the Priorat is almost negligible compared to the Penedès (Priorat has 1,900 hectares of vineyards, while Penedès has more than 30,000 hectares).
Grapes in Penedes
Red
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Carignan, Maturana tinta, Maturana and Monastrell.
White
Viura, Malvasía, White Grenache (Garnacha Blanca), chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, Verdejo, Maturana white, Tempranillo blanco and Turruntés.
Tempranillo
The most famous grape in Spain dominates in Rioja, with more than 75% of the vines
Important wineries in Penedes
Rioja has more than 1200 wineries - below you will see some of the best wineries and a few of their top wines. The wineries with a star are outstanding wineries
Dates and numbers
- Area of vineyards: 25,620 hectares
- Production: Penedès produces around 20,200,000 liters of wine each year.
- Number of wineries in Penedès: 161
- Marketing: 75% is consumed in Spain and 25% is exported.