We've been neglecting our 101 essentials of late.. so much so that we're still at No 1. So after being introduced recently to Malvasia de Sitges, we thought we would include it as Essential No 2, as once you've tasted it, you'll be hooked. Sitges Malvasia is a true rarity with yearly production of about 4,500 bottles in total.

2.5 hectares of Sitges Malvasia still exist today, though they are now embedded between more recently erected houses and buildings. Manuel Llopis de Casades left a will one month before dying which handed over possession and management of all his properties in the Sitges territory to the Hospital de Saint Juan Bautista de Sitges (a religious charitable institution) on the condition that they continue production of Sitges Malvasia from the Llopis vines.

And so today people still enjoy this delicious wine. Be sure to try and get a glass if you can find it… and if you can lay your hands on a bottle even better! A must for every liquor cabinet. The wine is so famous that even the 5 Star Dolce Sitges Hotel named their main bar after it… so we recommend you spend an evening there and sip a glass while you take in some spectacular sunsets.