Tarragona DO (Denominación de Origen), within the Catalonia province of Spain, is located south of Penedés along the Mediterranean coast. It was awarded the DO status in 1976. An important modification to the region's geographical boundaries came in 2001 when the Montsant DO was carved out of it as a separate wine zone.
Traditionally, and in line with most of the other Mediterranean regions, Tarragona was a predominantly sweet, fortified wine-producing zone. This style can still be found here in its late harvested Garnacha wines and the lighter Moscatel de Tarragona, but with the changing trends in wine drinking habits and demand, the region has adapted itself to more varied styles with white wines, both varietals and blends for Cava (Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo), dominating the production. A major proportion of its output is sold to the Cava estates in Penedés.
Garnacha is also used for the region's refreshing and fruity rosé wines (Rosado) as well as blending partner to Cariñena. Other significant red grapes include Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
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