Why You Should Order Xarel·lo Instead of Chardonnay in Barcelona
What Is Xarel·lo?
Local, crisp, and way cooler than your fallback white, Xarel·lo (cha-REL-lo) is one of Catalunya’s most important — and most underrated — native white grapes. It’s grown mostly in the Penedès region, just outside Barcelona, and is best known as one of the key grapes in traditional Cava. But lately, it's stepping out of the bottle-fermented shadows and taking center stage.
As a still wine, Xarel·lo is fresh, textured, and full of character. You’ll often hear it described as citrusy and herbal, with green apple, fennel, and saline minerality — but that barely scratches the surface. Some winemakers are playing with extended lees contact, oak aging, or amphorae to add complexity and structure, while others are bottling it pét-nat or skin-contact style for something funkier and more natural.
It’s a grape with range, and it thrives in the Mediterranean heat without losing its acid. If you love wines that are both refreshing and grounded in place, Xarel·lo delivers.
Xarel·lo vs Chardonnay: What’s the Difference?
Let’s be honest: ordering Chardonnay in Barcelona is a bit like going to a record store in a new country and buying the same album you already own. Sure, it's good — but you’re missing the chance to discover something that sounds like here.
Chardonnay is a chameleon: buttery in Napa, crisp in Chablis, tropical in warm climates. It’s versatile, yes — but in Spain, it’s not native. Most Chardonnay here is grown for blending or commercial wines, and it rarely shines the way it does elsewhere.
Xarel·lo, on the other hand, is built for this landscape. It captures the dry heat, the coastal breezes, and the salty brightness of Catalan cuisine. It also brings structure and tension that’s rare in white wines at this price point. Think of it as somewhere between a mineral-driven Albariño and a textured white Burgundy — but with more herbs, more edge, and no need to compare itself to France.
And here's the real secret: at most good wine bars in Barcelona, the Xarel·lo by the glass will almost always be better than the Chardonnay.
Where to Drink Xarel·lo in Barcelona
You won’t find a neon sign that says “Xarel·lo served here”, but the grape is everywhere — once you start looking. The best places to try it are natural wine bars, local-focused vermuterías, and bottle shops where the owners actually care about what’s on the shelves.
Order a glass of “Xarel·lo del Penedès” at:
Bar Brutal – for natural expressions and minimal-intervention bottles
Bodega Maestrazgo – if you want a cozy, classic wine bar feel
Vila Viniteca – for a bottle to go (and a solid cheese pairing)
La Graciosa or Els Sortidors del Parlament – for a glass with snacks in a relaxed, local atmosphere
Look for producers like:
Can Sumoi Xarello (biodynamic, clean, layered)
Partida Creus XL (funky, natural, exciting)
AT Roca Cantallops (fresh and precise)
Mas Candí Desig (structured and mineral)
Can Ràfols Pairal (classic and age-worthy)
Even neighborhood bars often have a house Xarel·lo, Just ask for it instead of a “vino blanco” and you’ll be off to a better start.
What to Eat with Xarel·lo
Xarel·lo is the ultimate food wine — unfussy, versatile, and totally at home alongside salty, savory snacks or a full Catalan lunch. Here’s what to pair it with:
Anchovies or boquerones – the saline notes in the wine echo the briny fish beautifully
Jamón ibérico – the acidity of Xarel·lo cuts through the richness like a pro
Grilled squid or prawns – freshness on freshness
Pa amb tomàquet – sometimes simple is best
Goat cheese, almonds, or anything with olive oil
The wine’s texture and backbone also make it a great partner for more unexpected pairings — even slightly spicy food or fried dishes. If you’re unsure what to order, a Xarel·lo is almost always the right call. (And yes, it works at brunch.)
Why You Should Skip Chardonnay in Barcelona
We’re not wine snobs. We love a good Chardonnay, especially when it’s done well. But here’s the thing: when you’re traveling, drinking the same thing you drink at home means missing out. Local wines reflect the place, its landscape, its food, its rhythm. And in Barcelona, Chardonnay isn’t part of that story.
Ordering Xarel·lo shows that you’re paying attention. That you want to taste the region, not just fill your glass. It’s also a great way to start conversations with locals, bartenders, and shop owners, who will love your interest in a native grape and will loop you into even more great local grapes.
In short, Xarel·lo isn’t just a wine. It’s a choice to be here.
Want More?
This is just one of the wines we can’t stop ordering, but there are plenty more.
In the Bon Vi guide, we share:
Our favorite local bottles (Xarel·lo and beyond)
Where to drink them
What to eat, when to go, and how to skip the tourist traps
It’s the wine guide we wish existed when we moved here.
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