In addition to beer, wine is also a popular drink in Spain. Wine is a standard part of all meals in Spain and is considered healthy in moderation. Wine enthusiasts will also be pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of Spanish and Catalan wines and the many activities related to wine and viticulture in Barcelona: from wine tastings to wine tours. On this page, you can read more about wine in Barcelona and the best places in the city to taste wine.
Catalan Wine
For centuries, wine has been produced in Catalonia. Regions such as El Penedès, Priorat, and Tarragona are well-known for this. Their wine is widely consumed in Barcelona, either to accompany tapas at wine bars and bodegas, or with meals in restaurants.
You can find all types of wine: red wine (vino tinto in Spanish and vi negre in Catalan), white wine (vino blanco in Spanish and vi blanc in Catalan), and rosé (vino rosado in Spanish and vi rosat in Catalan); as well as dry wine (vino seco in Spanish and vi sec in Catalan), sweet wine (vino dulce in Spanish and vi dolç in Catalan), and of course house wine (vino de mesa in Spanish and vi de taula in Catalan).
To ensure the quality of the wine, there is a special designation that protects Catalan wines: the Denominación de Orígen (DO).
Famous Catalan wines with designation include:
- DO Alella
- DO Catalunya
- DO Conca de Barberà
- DO Costers del Segre
- DO Empordà
- DO Montsant
- DO Penedès
- DO Pla de Bages
- DOC Priorat
- DO Tarragona
- DO Terra Alta
Cava
In addition to wine, Catalonia is also known for cava, a sparkling wine comparable to French champagne. Cava is mainly consumed on important occasions (such as New Year’s Eve or the Sant Joan festival) and is used for toasting.
Well-known cava producers include Freixenet and Codorniu.
Vermut
Another typical and extremely popular drink in Barcelona is vermouth, vermut in Catalan: an alcoholic drink traditionally taken as an aperitif. You can still order it at many local bars and taverns, along with a tapa or two.
Catalan vermouth brands include Chappó, Cori, Miró, Myrrha, and Yzaguirre.
Wine Bars and Bodegas in Barcelona
Now that you know what kind of wine is produced in Catalonia, you might wonder where the best place to drink it is. Here I give you an overview of the favorite addresses of wine lovers in Barcelona.
Wine Bars in Barcelona
Barcelona offers plenty of options for wine enthusiasts to enjoy a glass of wine and discover new flavors. Visit one of the following wine bars or book a tapas and wine tasting with a professional.
- La Vinya del Senyor (Plaça de Santa Maria, 5) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Viblioteca (Carrer Vallfogona, 12) Metro: Fontana (L3)
- Mont Bar (Carrer Diputació, 220) Metro: Universitat (L1 en L2)
- Els Sortidors del Parlament (Carrer del Parlament, 53) Metro: Sant Antoni (L2)
- Casa Mariol (Carrer del Rosselló, 442) Metro: Sagrada Família (L2, L5)
Traditional Bodegas
For wine lovers, the simple bodegas where wine is still stored in old barrels and served directly into the glass or carafe are not to be missed.
- Bodega Maestrazgo (Carrer de Sant Pere Més Baix, 90) Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1)
- Celler Can Marino (Carrer de Margarit, 52) Metro: Poble Sec (L3)
- Bar Bodega Quimet (Carrer de Vic, 23) Metro: Fontana (L3)
- Bodega d’en Rafel (Carrer de Manso, 52) Metro: Poble Sec (L3)
- Bodega Marín (Carrer de Milà i Fontanals, 72) Metro: Joanic (L4)
- Bodega La Palma (Carrer de la Palma de Sant Just, 7) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Bodega Montferry (Carrer de Violant, 105) Metro: Plaça del Centre (L3)
- La Bodegueta d’en Miquel (Plaça Jardins d’Alfàbia, 3) Metro: Llucmajor (L4)
- Bodega Massana (Carrer Horta, 1) Metro: Horta (L5)
Vermuterías in Barcelona
Enjoy a vermut in the old-fashioned way at one of the following local bars. Don’t forget to order a tapa such as olives, chips, or a portion of Russian salad.
- Bormuth (Plaça Comercial, 1) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Cala del Vermut (Carrer de Ripoll, 25) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Lo Pinyol (Carrer Torrent De L’Olla, 7) Metro: Diagonal (L3, L5)
- Mitja Vida (Carrer Brusi, 39) Metro: Sant Gervasi (L6)
- Morro Fi (Carrer Consell de Cent, 171) Metro: Urgell (L1)
Wine Shops in Barcelona
A nice souvenir for a real wine lover is, of course, a bottle of wine or cava. In Barcelona, you will find many specialty stores specialized in wine and cava where you can find these. They also often offer special workshops and tastings. Extra nice for the enthusiast are the wine shops where wine is sold in bulk, directly tapped from a large wine barrel.
- Vila Viniteca (Carrer dels Agullers, 7) Metro: Jaume I (L4)
- Licoreria Lateria BCN (Carrer dels Escudellers, 5) Metro: Liceu (L3)
- Vinacoteca (Carrer de València, 595) Metro: Clot (L1, L2)
- Cellers J i E (Carrer d’Escòcia, 103) Metro: Virrei Amat (L5)
Vineyards Near Barcelona
A visit to the vineyards near Barcelona should not be missed on the to-do list of a real wine enthusiast. This is how you get to know and appreciate Catalan wine. Several vineyards open their doors to visitors and offer various tours and wine tastings.
- Freixenet
- Codorniu
- Clos Galena
- Can Nadal de la Boadella
