Catalonia; Sp Cataluña [katl-OH-nee-uh; katl-OHN-yuh (Sp. kah-tah-LOO-nyuh)]
An extensive and well-known region in the northeastern part of Spain. Its northern border is adjacent to France, and the Mediterranean is to the east. Catalonia is an autonomous bilingual region whose people speak both Spanish and the local Catalan. The region covers the four provinces of Barcelona, Gerona, Lérida, and Tarragona; its capital is the city of Barcelona. Catalonia has one DOCa, Priorat, and eight DO areas making still wine—Alella, Conca de Barberà, costers del sergre, Empordà-Costa Brava, Penedès, Pla del Bages, Tarragona, and Terra Alta. The Cava DO, which has multiple locations spread throughout northern Spain producing sparkling wine via méthode champenoise, is centered in Catalonia.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.