Francesca Maisano Best Catalan wines
There are only 19 best Catalan wines, at least for now. The highest award that can be given to a wine from Catalonia is the VFQ Vi de Finca Qualificada appellation. Here I wrote about 6 of them, that I have personally tasted. To establish whether the stringent conditions exist to be considered an extra-ordinary wine is INCAVI Institut Català de la Vinya i el Vi. (Catalan Government Institute of Vine and Wine). These wines are true standard-bearers, which is why they are included in Plan #HoritzóINCAVI2025, which aims to disseminate the richness and variety of Catalan wine culture.
Map of Catalonia
Before going into detail and discovering the wineries that have, among the references, a VFQ label, below I have included a map of Catalonia. As you can see, the Catalan designations of origin are listed. This is important, because one of the parameters to become a Vi de Finca Qualificada is to have obtained the DO for at least 10 years.
What Catalonia is famous for
There is so much to see, drink and eat in this Mediterranean destination with a centuries-old history and a great cultural and natural heritage. This map of Catalonia is very interesting precisely because it shows you, in addition to the areas where you can enjoy exciting wine tourism experiences in more than 300 wineries, some of the attractions that make Catalonia famous in the world as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you are also wondering which cities to visit in Catalonia, we recommend that you include in your travel itinerary its four regional capitals: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. But also the inland towns, such as Tortosa, Vic or Vilafranca del Penedès. With its 580 km of coastline, the Catalan Pyrenees, natural parks and protected areas, Catalonia is a destination for all tastes and ages.
How to organize a winery visit or a wine experience in Catalonia
Have you already felt like leaving? Then I provide you with an official web address with useful information, which will allow you to organize a winery visit in Catalonia. Go to www.catalanwines.com and download the catalog. In addition, the site also allows you to learn about the wine-experiences that are currently available. For example, if you choose the DO Empordà Wine Route you will be able to discover the beaches of the Costa Brava while enjoying a wine tasting in an authentic traditional boat. In addition, if you want ready-made tours to get you started, you can read our article What to see, drink and eat in 6 wine areas in Catalonia.
Who made me discover the best Catalan wines
Let’s go back to the best Catalan wines (but the premise was necessary). So, I had the opportunity to taste 6 of the 19 wines that have obtained the VFQ recognition in a masterclass organized by the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia in Italy, represented during the event by Luca Bellizzi. Project and wines were presented by the speakers Alba Balcells, director of INCAVI, and Marc Greco, sommelier of the Catalan Association of Sommeliers, WSET graduate (third level), who in the past worked for the Cos Farm in Sicily. “Finca Qualificada. The strength of terroir in the great wines of Catalonia” masterclass was included in the calendar of Rome Wine Expo (annual event open to enthusiasts) organized by Riserva Grande.
Vins de Finca Qualificada I tasted
- Raïms de la immortalitat 2022 – Celler Torre del Veguer – DO Penedès
- Avi Ton 2021 – Celler Eudald Massana – DO Penedès
- Coma Blanca 2018 – Celler MAS D’EN GIL ~ D.O.Q. Priorat
- Teixar 2019 – Celler Vinyes Domènech – DO Monsant
- V d’O 2 2017- Celler Vinyes d’Olivardots – DO Empordà
- Clos Mogador 2014 – Celler Clos Mogador – DOC Priorat
Grapes of immortality 2022 – Torre del Veguer Winery – DO Penedès – fascia di prezzo 25/30 euro
The Xarel-lo and Xarel-lo vermell grapes come from a vineyard from 1978. These varieties are traditional to Penedès and give excellent results in white winemaking and sparkling winemaking.
A curiosity: the label is a tribute to Salvator Dalì, who was a family friend, and reproduces the work Raïms de la Immortalitat from 1970 (which also gives its name to the wine).
Avi Ton 2021 – Celler Eudald Massana – DO Penedès – price range 25/30 euros
This white wine is produced from pure Xarel-lo grapes (this is one of the three main grapes used in the production of Cava sparkling wine along with Parellada and Macabeo).
The grapes come exclusively from the Avi Ton vineyard, planted in 1945 by Ton Massana, the eighth generation of the estate’s family. It is a vineyard over 78 years old with very low production and calcareous soil.
This wine is a tribute to the father of the current owner.
Coma Blanca 2018 – Celler Mas d’en Gil – DOC Priorat – BIODYNAMIC
The Mas d’en Gil estate was founded in 1867, since 1998 it has been owned by the Rovira Carbonell family with the current fourth generation of winemakers.
Made using two vineyards of Garnatxa Blanca and two others planted in Macabeu (Viura) before 1945 on one of the estate’s most diverse terroirs. The vineyards are surrounded by pine trees and wilderness.
Teixar 2019 – Winery Vinyes Domènech – DO Monsant – Biodinamico – fascia prezzo 60/65 euro
This wine is produced with the pure Grenache Peloso grape variety.
V d’O 2 2017 – Celler Vinyes d’Olivardots – DO Empordà – Biodynamic and Vegan – price range 40/45 euro
The number of bottles that can be purchased each year is very small: only 1000. This wine, therefore, is truly a rarity.
It is a wine from biodynamic farming, which is also vegan.
Clos Mogador 2014 – Celler Clos Mogador – DOC Priorat – Biodinamico
Born in Tarragona in 1950, René is a direct descendant of French winemakers whose origins can be traced back to the 1200s.
