Top 5 Local Wines to Order in Barcelona

Last Updated on November 15, 2025 by Emma Fajcz | Published: April 6, 2018

There is so much more to Spanish wine than just Rioja and Ribera! In fact, the nation is home to more than 70 different recognized wine regions, 11 of which are in Catalonia. Here’s our top 5 local wines to order in Barcelona so you can enjoy the best Catalonian wines like a local.

Tips for Drinking Wine in Barcelona

• In Spain, we usually order wine by the region—not by the grape! Many locals tend to drink regionally, often ordering wines that are produced right here in Catalonia.
• Love sparkling wine? Be sure to try cava, Spain’s version of champagne. It’s produced mainly in the Penedès area using the traditional méthode champenoise.
• Think about terroir. Catalonia’s wine regions range from warm Mediterranean coastlines to elevated plateaus with limestone soils and cooler temperatures. This diversity gives you everything from crisp, mineral whites to powerful, concentrated reds.
• Pair simply and locally. White and sparkling Catalan wines go beautifully with seafood, fresh Mediterranean vegetables, and tapas; rich reds from Priorat or Montsant are ideal with grilled meats, aged cheeses, and dishes with depth.
• Want to try lesser-known local wines? When drinking wine in Barcelona, stop into a wine bar and ask for a Catalan DO (Denominació d’Origen) wine; you don’t have to only stick to famous labels.

1. Priorat

Winemaking is anything but easy in Priorat. With just over 60 bodegas growing their grapes in seemingly unpromising terrain (think slate soil and steep hillsides) south of Barcelona, yield here is remarkably low. However, what they do manage to produce is among the highest quality wine in the country. In fact, it’s one of just two Spanish wine regions to earn the prestigious D.O.C. (denominación de origen calificada) seal—the other being the more famous Rioja!

The special properties in the difficult terrain make Priorat an incredibly sought-after wine. It’s also one of the more expensive wines to order in Barcelona. However, that just makes it the perfect way to treat yourself at one of Barcelona’s top wine bars!

Rich reds are very characteristic of the Priorat region. Photo credit: Kelsey Knight

2. Penedès

The winemaking region of Penedès, less than an hour away from Barcelona, is steeped in storied tradition. Winemaking here dates back to the sixth century B.C. and has evolved to the point that Penedès is now the most significant wine region in Catalonia. It features diverse terrain, making it perfect to cultivate a wide variety of grapes. (However, remember that in Spain we usually order wine by the region—not by the grape!)

Penedès wines are among the most popular wines to order in Barcelona among locals due to their variety. In addition to a diverse range of classic reds and whites, it is also one of the foremost producers of cava in all of Spain.

3. Montsant

Once part of the nearby D.O Tarragona region, Montsant struck out on its own thanks to the unique climate and terrain in the mountains of the same name where their wines are produced. It has gone on to become one of the most respected and largest winemaking regions in Catalonia. Many of its wines are exported as well—perfect for enjoying back home after your trip to Barcelona has ended!

Montsant is known for their young, fresh red wines. They are also the best wines to order in Barcelona for those who observe a kosher diet—they are the only wine region in Catalonia (and one of the few in Spain) that produces kosher wines!

4. Conca de Barberà

Although this popular winemaking region in the Catalan province of Tarragona only received D.O. status in the 1980s, Conca de Barberà holds a long history of producing some of the best wines in the region. Winemaking here dates back to Roman times, but became especially important during the Middle Ages.

The unique erosive action of the Francolí and Anguera rivers makes for perfectly fertile soil where 860 growers cultivate their grapes. This region is famous for its indigenous grape variety, Trepat. Traditionally used to make rosés; younger, more experimental wine makers have had great success making very elegant medium-bodied reds from this variety in recent years.

This small region less than half an hour from Barcelona is home to just nine wineries. However, what Alella lacks in size, it makes up for in seriously spectacular wine!

Alella wines were first produced during Roman times, and went on to become the personal favorite wines of the court of the Kings of Aragón! Today, due to its privileged location near Barcelona, it enjoys a status as the world’s only remaining “urban” wine region.

Alella’s Maresme wines are among the most popular wines to order in Barcelona. The unique soil and Mediterranean coastal location of Maresme gives the wine from this area of Alella a low acidity content. Another popular area within the Alella DO is Valles, whose wines features a much stronger flavor due to its location on the inland mountains.

What Alella is most famous for, though, are its white wines made from the Pansa Blanca (or Xarel-lo) grape. These wines are typically light, young and fresh. Alella might just be one of the most beautiful wine regions in Spain!

Crisp cava from the Alta Alella winery outside Barcelona.

Explore Barcelona’s Wines on Tour!

Escape busy Barcelona for a day and experience the beautiful Montserrat Monastery and a Penedès winery! Book your spot on our next Montserrat & Cava Winery Day Trip from Barcelona.

Begin your morning at the peaceful Montserrat Monastery before crowds arrive. Then, head into the rolling vineyards of Penedès for an off-road adventure, a farm-to-table feast, vineyard tour, and sparkling glasses of cava poured by the winemakers themselves. Blending sights, local flavor, and breathtaking landscapes, this small-group experience is a day you’ll be talking about long after it ends!

Featured Review: Montserrat & Cava Winery Day Trip from Barcelona

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “An incredible day. Flepuono our guide was fantastic. We had a wonderful time. Monserrat was really nice. Could have spent several hours there. The wine tour experience was so amazing and intimate. The highlight of the tour. Very gracious hosts at the winery.”
– Jeff on Tripadvisor

Best Wines in Barcelona FAQs

Is Barcelona good for wine?
Yes, Barcelona is an excellent destination for wine lovers. The city sits near several top wine regions, such as Penedès, known for its sparkling cava, and Priorat, famous for bold, full-bodied reds. Around the city, you’ll find countless wine bars and bodegas where you can taste a range of Catalan wines, from crisp whites to rich reds, often paired with local tapas.

What is Spain’s most famous wine?
Spain’s most famous wine is Rioja, a red wine made primarily from the Tempranillo grape. It’s known for its smooth tannins, deep flavor, and ability to age beautifully. While Rioja comes from northern Spain, it’s widely available and celebrated throughout the country, including in Barcelona’s many restaurants and wine bars.

What is the traditional wine of Barcelona?
The traditional wine of Barcelona is cava, a sparkling wine made in the nearby Penedès region using the same method as Champagne. Cava is deeply tied to Catalan culture and is enjoyed at celebrations, family gatherings, and as a pre-meal drink, often with olives or anchovies. You’ll find locals sipping cava at both casual tapas bars and elegant wine lounges across the city.