The grape variety Pansa Blanca

Pansa Blanca, known internationally as Xarel·lo, is a distinctive white grape variety indigenous to Catalonia, Spain, with its heartland in the Alella and Penedès regions. It produces wines with a bright straw-yellow hue and remarkable aromatic complexity. On the nose, Pansa Blanca reveals fresh notes of green apple, ripe pear, and citrus, underpinned by herbal nuances and subtle hints of almond and fennel. On the palate, it offers a balanced profile, combining lively acidity with medium body and a pleasant, slightly saline minerality, often leading to a lingering, refreshing finish.

Winemakers craft Pansa Blanca both as a crisp, varietal white and as a key component in traditional Cava blends, lending structure and character to sparkling wines. Still versions range from young, unoaked expressions highlighting purity and freshness, to more textured, barrel-aged styles with enhanced depth.

This versatile grape pairs exceptionally well with Mediterranean cuisine. Ideal companions include grilled seafood, salt cod, shellfish, light poultry dishes, and creamy cheeses. Its minerality and acidity also complement rice dishes, such as paella, and subtly spiced appetisers, creating a harmonious dining experience.