Catalunya has been producing wines successfully for 50 years. Torres, of course, towers over the rest in this region. It has 11 DO (equivalent of Italian DOC) zones including Pen`edes, the ‘Champagne of Spain', producing world's biggest selling sparkling wine produced by the leader, Freixenet followed by Codorni`u. About 90% of the bubbly, known as Cava in Spain are double –fermented in the small town of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia where 40% of the town's population is involved in the business. Unlike other DO regions, DO Cava is a region spread over the whole of Spain, though most production comes from this area close to Barcelona. Local grapes Parellada (‘paray-lyada or pare-yyada', Xarel-lo (‘sha-rel-low) and Macabeo (‘macah-bay-oH') are the standard grapes used. Surprisingly, as I found out at a dinner, these blends make a delicious light, still wine too, without any pretensions. Freixenet maybe the flagship but small producers like Agusti Tornello` (reported elsewhere on the website) and Gramona are taking the Cava flag to new heights.

Navarra, on the other side of River Ebro on which Rioja is situated has a similar Terroir and is fast catching up in popularity. Castilla y Leon is the province whose claim to fame is the Ribera. Castilla-La Mancha, to the South of Madrid and Extremadura are coming up very well. Valencia has some good reasonable wines too. Airen, the world's biggest planted white grape is also grown mainly in this region, for making bulk, low cost white wines.

Andalucia in the south is known historically for Sherry and other fortified drinks. But many vineyards at higher altitude have been successful in making good wine, like in Sicily. This, potentially offers a goldmine for investors for future appreciation.

Rueda in Castilla y Leon had some delicious white wines made from the local Verdejo grapes. Rias Baixas in Galicia, the Westernmost province of Spain produces some the best white wines in the world from Albarinyo, again a local variety. Of course, all international varieties are also being grown in Spain, some like Torres providing value-for-money wines

Spaniards really know how to live well, how to eat and drink well. They have been improving their quality for the last 20 years and have become quite aggressive in the last 10 years in promoting their wines. Alimentaria provided a peep into the warmth of their heart and a peak into the tremendous business opportunities that exist between India and Spain.- truly the flavour of the month.

Subhash Arora

March 16, 2006