Penedès, like Priorat, is part of Catalonia, the fiercely autonomous region on Spain's Mediterranean coast, the capital of which is Barcelona, known principally as the home of Manuel, the waiter in Fawlty Towers. Rich in history, this is one of the oldest viticultural regions in Europe, with the Phoenicians introducing vines here in the 700s. Between the inland Montserrat mountains and the deep blue sea, untold estates toil away to produce the wines of a region long-considered to be second only to Rioja in quality. A variety of varieties variously thrive in the myriad microclimates, but our main concern is that this is Cava Country. Castillo Perelada, along with the global phenomenon Freixenet, are our main producers. The former, who claim winemaking production that dates back to the 12th century, find their froth poured forth at the King Of Spain's functions, of which he has many we are reliably informed.