Cava
Most of the world's traditional-method sparkling wine outside Champagne comes from the Penedès, forty minutes down the railway.
Brut nature
The driest, least-dosed category and the one locals respect most; buy a bottle as a gift and you cannot go wrong.
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
The capital of cava and an easy day trip, with grand old houses and small growers both receiving visitors.
When it appears
Festivals, Sunday lunches, an upgraded vermouth hour: cava is the default celebration rather than an occasion-only drink.