Penedès DO

Question 1

Penedès DO basics

Answer 1

-Northeast of Tarragona, along the Catalan coast in Catalunia

Question 2

Penedès is divided between three distinct altitude zones

Answer 2

Baix-Penedès, Medio-Penedès, and Alt-Penedès

Question 3

Alt-Penedès

Answer 3

-one of Europe’s highest altitude winegrowing regions, is perfectly suited to cultivation of the white Parellada grape
Although Cava has its own DO, 95% of Cava is produced in the region of Penedès, and four of Cava’s authorized white grapes comprise a large majority of the Penedès vineyards

Question 4

Medio-Penedès

Answer 4

Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo) thrives

Question 5

Baix-Penedès

Answer 5

Sturdier Mediterranean red grapes like Garnacha (Garnatxa) and Monastrell are planted in the lower vineyards
producing high-alcohol red and rosado wines, which have replaced the sweet fortified reds popular in the past—and across the border in Roussillon.
Although red grapes dominate in the Baix-Penedès, two producers—Vega de Ribes and the charity Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista—are perpetuating the Malvasia de Sitges variety, a historical specialty of the region nearly consigned to the dustbin of history