Parellada

Parellada is a white grape, originally from Valencia but popular too in Catalunya where, alongside Xarel-lo and Macabeo, it is best known as one of the three core grapes used to make Cava. The name comes from the Catalan word parell, which means a “couple” because the grape bunches are all quite homogenous and one grape looks very similar to the next.

It’s quite hard to find single varietal examples of Parellada – ie wines made just from Parellada and no other grapes – although some more boutique Catalan producers are beginning to experiment a bit. In Catalunya too, you might also find its more pink-hued mutation, Parellada Montonegra.