The Catalunya Report 2026
Year 16, No. 01
Highlights: Catalunya 2026
Nearly 20 years ago, with my tourist setting dialed up to the maximum, I was driving out to Cadaqués, the most northeastern corner of Spain and the Iberian Peninsula.
As fate would have it, I stopped in at a winery at the top of the very curvy road leading to this lovely coastal town as it seemed like a fine view. More critically, there were other cars parked out front, so in Spain, that means an establishment is clearly open—Google Maps be damned. Unbeknownst to me, I was to end up crashing the launch of the new DO Empordà winery, Martín Faixó.
I would be lying if I didn’t say that it was a mighty fine party. After apologizing for my faux pas, the family (once done with media interviews) was very gracious to let me attend despite my timing. It proved to be a crucial inflection point as from this moment on, I would begin writing about the wines of Catalunya, publishing three books on the most prominent regions and, nearly 15 years ago, moving from California to live permanently.
Following on from the creation of the books, I’ve been publishing yearly reports on all the DOs and wine bodies of Catalunya for the last decade on Hudin.com. Given the turmoil of the wine industry throughout 2025 as well as the extremely variable recent vintages, it seemed that now was the moment release my first, full Catalunya Report for 2026 which is available for annual subscribers, right now.
Within the 8,000 words and over 900 wines tasted, I take a look at the connective tissue that binds together all these regions while at the same time showing how each individual part is unique. There’s a review of the most-recent vintages on the market as well as how the 2025 vintage appears to be shaping up post-harvest and what everything means, at this moment, as we step on the gas and accelerate into the vast unknown of 2026.
Additionally, there’s a good deal of new, insider information which, as an unsurprising spoiler, is mostly about the Catalan world of sparkling wines, but not only.
Anyone who know me knows that I’m quite passionate about Spanish wine in general and especially Catalunya, but at the same time, I’m also willing to give a critical eye to what needs improving upon. That said, Catalunya probably has one of the better positions in Southern Europe for the choppy seas that we find ourselves adrift upon these days. I’m very happy with the final format and to be sharing this very lengthy report about the region with my readers.
Drink well, be well.
-Miquel
(*) Free to read
The Featured Report
Catalunya 2026
One of if not the only regions in Spain with literally something for everyone, at least on a wine front. Dynamic and progressive, there’s a tremendous amount to take in and this report is key for anyone who loves these wines.
And now this
It wouldn’t be January without trying to figure out a way to slog through it, so, as has become the tradition, we present La Cuesta de Enero as a selection of affordable, excellent wines to see you through these, the darkest of days.
White wines of winter are always best when holding an edge of something extra like the Fonoll from Torre del Veguer, a fine mix of the two wonderful Xarel·lo variants.
And of course, the year wouldn’t be off to a proper start without having a look at those first wines out of the gate. Yes the Catalan Vi Novell 2025 wines are ready for your enjoyment!