D.O. Penedès

DO area on the mediterranean coast in the region Catalonia in the northeast of Spain, It is divided into ascending from the coast in three zones. The warmest zone is Bajo-Penedès (also Baix-Penedès) in the low-lying coastal country with up to 250 meters above sea level. The second zone Mitja-Penedès (also known as Medio-Penedès), up to 500 meters above sea level, lies to the west of Barcelona and is the most important for sparkling wines and excellent white wines. The third zone Alta-Penedès (also Alt-Penedès) is the highest area with up to 850 meters above sea level. Before the 1876 occurring Phylloxera disaster In Penedès, more than 80% of red grape varieties were planted, of which mainly mass wines were produced. From the early 1960s, then began the rise, the area is considered the cradle of modern Spanish viticulture. Penedès is the home of Spanish sparkling wine Cava with about two-thirds of total Spanish production. However, the DO designation Penedès applies only to still wines. The picture shows a vineyard with Ull de Llebre Tempranillo :

It is Mediterranean climate with relatively hot summers and mild winters. The vineyards cover about 27,500 hectares of vines on less fertile, well-drained soils Water storage capacity, There are well over a hundred for the most part autochthonous Cultivated grapes, of which only about one-fifth is allowed for DO wines. The most important white wines are Macabeo. Xarello. Parellada. Chardonnay. Riesling. Gewurztraminer. Chenin Blanc, Moscatel de Alejandría ( Muscat d'Alexandrie ) and Sauvignon Blanc, The most important red wines are Garnacha Tinta, Cariñena ( mazuelo ) Merlot. Monastrell, Ull de Llebre ( Tempranillo ) Pinot Noir. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, Well-known producers are Albet i Noya, Canals Nadal, Cavas Hill, Juvé y Camps, Codorníu, Ferret, Freixenet. Heretat Mas Tinell. Jané Ventura. Jean Leon, Marqués de Monistrol, Mas Comtal, Masia Bach, Torrelavit, Torres, Pere Ventura, Pinord Puig y Roca, Vallformosa and Winner Wines,

Image: By Mick Stephenson - Own Work, CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link