Some claim that globalization is shrinking our planet.  But the world of wine continues to expand at a rapid rate.
There were two recent examples of this expansion in west Los Angeles recently.  The first, held at Mr. C's in Beverly Hills, was conducted by the Italian Trade Commission and presented foods and wines from southern Italy and Sicilia.  Unfortunately for this Writer it took place just two days after my eye surgery so I could not attend.
The second took place yesterday at the Wine House in west Los Angeles where Catalan wines from northern Spain were presented with some of the leading vintners and wine makers of the region personally on hand to talk about and present their wines.
I attended this event which included a seminar conducted by Dean Medeiros who explained Catalonia's place and importance in Spain and especially Barcelona as the center and heartland of the region.  Also attending was Javier Vallaure, Consul General of Spain in Los Angeles.
 Barcelona, Spain's second largest city, has in the last quarter century expanded in industry, technology and  finance as well in the arts.
Vineyards and wines have been in place in Catalonia since Roman times and now includes eleven appellations.  Wineries in the region has kept pace with new wine making methods as well as planting of  varietals with new popularity like Tempranilio,  Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cava, a sparkling wine, has been identified with Catalan for over one hundred years.  It is produced from three local white grape varieties--Xarel-lo, Macebeo and Parellada
Local red varietals still appear in some of the reds like Cannena, Grenache,  Carignan and Marselan. These almost always as part of a blend
Twelve Catalan wineries were represented at the Wine House event.