Five unique expressions of the sweetness of Catalan wine
Catalonia, diversity of sweet wines and winemaking tradition
Beyond dessert
With roasted chestnuts, panellets, and autumn after-dinner conversations, sweet wines take center stage at the table. The wide variety of winemaking styles, from ice wines to mistelas and Empordà grenaches, offers profiles that combine fruit, freshness, sweetness, and aging. We have selected five Catalan references from Penedès, Empordà, Terra Alta, and Tarragona to discover their nuances and gastronomic potential, pairing wonderfully with desserts as well as cheeses and other seasonal products.
What temperature should they be served at? Sweet wines are served chilled so that the temperature balances the sweetness, alcohol, and fruit. Aromatic white sweet wines and ice wines, such as Vi de Glass, should be served between 6 and 8 °C to preserve their freshness and floral and fruit expression. Mistelas and sweet grenaches work well between 8 and 12 °C. Aged sweet wines, soleras, or more oxidative styles, like Solera 1931, can go up to 12–14 °C to reveal notes of nuts, honey, toasted aromas, and spices. Avoid serving them too cold, as the aromas become muted, or too warm, which makes the sweetness and alcohol feel heavy.
Gramona Vi de Glass Gewürztraminer · Gramona
From the D.O. Penedès, this sweet ice wine is a 100% single-varietal Gewürztraminer from the 2024 vintage. The late-harvest grapes undergo partial freezing at −15 °C with liquid nitrogen before pressing and a slow fermentation. Expressive on the nose, it displays aromas of lychee, mango, exotic fruit, rose petals, and spices. On the palate, it is friendly, velvety, and persistent, with sweetness well-balanced by freshness. Serve at 6–8 °C. Approximate price: €18.50–€21.30 (37.5 cl).
👉🏼 Ideal to accompany foie gras, blue cheeses, or exotic fruit desserts due to its aromatic intensity.
👉🏼 Web: Gramona
Solera 1931 · Celler Cooperatiu d’Espolla
From the D.O. Empordà, this natural sweet grenache is made with lledoner blanc and lledoner roig (white and grey grenache). Fermentation is stopped by adding grape spirit, and the wine undergoes oxidative aging in wood through a solera system started in 1931. At 15.5% ABV, it features an intense amber color with greenish and old-gold reflections, with aromas of candied fruit, nuts, and pastry. On the palate, it is intense, with balanced sweetness and a long finish. Serve at 12–14 °C. Approximate price: €13–€15 (50 cl).
👉🏼 Perfect to pair with pastries, vanilla ice cream, or aged cheeses, offering historic aging as an added value.
👉🏼 Web: Celler Espolla
Garnatxa d’Empordà Ambre · Mas Llunes
From the D.O. Empordà, this natural sweet wine is made from 100% red grenache, blending several vintages. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts is halted using neutral grape alcohol, and the blend is aged for an average of two years in French oak barrels. At 16.5% ABV, it shows an amber color with aromas of dried apricots, nuts, orange peel, toasted caramel, pastry, and honey. On the palate, it is powerful, flavorful, sweet, and balanced. Serve at 8–10 °C. Approximate price: €9–€10 (50 cl).
👉🏼Great for pairing with nuts, foie gras, or aged cheeses, offering rich aromatic intensity and great value for money.
👉🏼 Web: Mas Llunes
Somdinou Mistela Negra · Cooperativa de Gandesa
From the D.O. Terra Alta, this mistela is made from 100% black grenache from old, low-yielding vineyards. The grapes macerate with their skins for 75 days in stainless steel tanks, with the addition of grape spirit, and the wine ages for at least one year in French oak barrels. At 15% ABV, it presents an intense violet-cherry color and aromas of ripe grapes and dried figs, with hints of nuts and candied black fruit. On the palate, it is complex, sweet, and enveloping. Serve chilled at 8–10 °C. Approximate price: €10.50 (50 cl).
👉🏼 Perfect to accompany chocolate, nuts, or cheeses, showcasing the intense character of black grenache.
👉🏼 Web: Cooperativa de Gandesa
Mistela · Celler Vila-rodona
From the D.O. Tarragona, this sweet mistela is crafted from selected grape must enriched with grape spirit to preserve its natural sweetness. Afterward, it rests in American oak barrels located in the winery’s old vats. At 15% ABV, it displays an intense gold color with warm reflections and aromas of Muscat, citrus fruit, and floral notes. On the palate, it is smooth and round, with delicate sweetness, notes of ripe fruit and honey, and a persistent finish. Serve chilled at 8–10 °C. Approximate price: €8.20 (75 cl).
👉🏼Excellent to pair with cakes, fresh fruit, or toasted nuts, offering a gentle and aromatic sweetness.
👉🏼 Web: Celler Cooperatiu de Vila-rodona
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