NINE OF SPAIN’S Denominaciones de Origen (Alella, Conca de Barberà, Costers del Segre, Empordà, Montsant, Pla de Bages, Tarragona, Terra Alta, Penedès, Priorat) lie in Catalonia, mostly in the area southwest of Barcelona where the soil is a mix of quartz and slate called Llicorella. If that doesn’t sound declicious enough, Priorat is one of only two wine regions in all Spain with the Denominación de Origen Calificadas—the other is Rioja— which gives special status for the highest quality wines. Old vines and new craftmanship combine to produce inky, intense reds with great tannins and relatively high alcohol content.

Parc Güell,
Barcelona, Spain

Palau de la Musíca Catalana,
Barcelona, Spain