Penedes

For still wines of the region, Penedès is the leading DO utilising international varieties more than anywhere else in Spain, thanks to pioneers such as Miguel Torres planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in the 1960s. The hottest, lowest vineyards of Baix-Penedès by the coast grow Moscatel and Malvasía grapes for dessert wines. At medium altitudes Cava dominates, and higher up (800m) growers are working hard carving vineyards out of the Mediterranean scrub to plant low-yielding indigenous and international varieties.