Pep Guardiola's Favourite Wine

Few sports figures arouse as much admiration as Pep Guardiola. Cerebral, meticulous, elegant. Not only does he transform teams, he also leaves his mark with his style and his way of understanding life. And like all lovers of small pleasures, wine seems to occupy a special place in his universe.

In Guardiola's own words:

“When you win, the wine tastes better... you sleep better.”— Being Sports, 2025

Today, we ask ourselves: What are Guardiola's favourite wines, and which ones could accompany his post-match reflections or his moments of disconnection? Let's find out.

Wine and roots: the Catalan influence

Pep was born in Santpedor, in the heart of Catalonia, a land where the winemaking tradition is deeply rooted and where the Denominations of Origin, such as Priorat or Montsant, strongly express the character of the landscape and culture.

Priorat and Montsant: complexity and depth

Priorat, with its slate soils (llicorella), gives rise to powerful, structured reds, with a personality as defined as that of a coach who always seeks total control of the game. Garnacha and Cariñena in their deepest and most elegant version.

On the other hand, Montsant, more accessible but just as expressive, offers wines that could fit in with Guardiola's closest friends, the one who enjoys balance and freshness without renouncing intensity.

Both regions seem to resonate with his way of understanding football: tactical rigour with room for individual creativity.

And the sparkling wines? Cava and Corpinnat

At celebrations or special moments, it would not be strange to imagine Guardiola with a glass of good Corpinnat or long-aged cava. Elegance, precision, fine and persistent bubbles... doesn't it sound a bit like his famous possession game?

Among the names that could be in his cellar: Gramona, Recaredo or Llopart, all references in bubbles with soul.

Wineries of reference in the surrounding area

Although there are no official confirmations, Guardiola has been seen at events related to Catalan wine and has been a regular customer at restaurants with extensive wine menus such as the Bodega Sepúlveda in Barcelona. A place where more than one person claims to have seen him with a glass of red in his hand.

Beyond Catalonia

Guardiola has lived in Italy, Germany and the UK. And as a citizen of the world, his palate has probably travelled with him.

Germany and the Rieslings

During his time at Bayern, he had probably come across some dry Riesling from the Mosel or Rheingau. Precise wines, with vibrant acidity and a purity of line reminiscent of a good three-touch play.

France and Italy: classics among classics

Can we imagine Pep enjoying a polished Burgundy, with that finesse and transparency that reveals the soul of the wine, or an elegant and long-lived Barolo, like his ideas that stand the test of time?

Perhaps he has discovered jewels in Bordeaux, where the blend of varieties and balance become art. Because if there is one thing that characterises Guardiola, it is his obsession with perfect balance.

Wine style and playing style: is there a connection?

Of course it is. Guardiola could go for:

• Wines with good acidity and structure, like their high pressure, they sustain the pace.
• Clean elaborations, without artifice, that let the terroir speak. Like his football, which lets the player shine.
• Bottles with ageing potential, which evolve well over time. Like their ideas, which do not age.

In an ironic tone, Guardiola went so far as to say:

“I need red wine to decide City's eleven.”— Facebook, 2020

Guardiola and wine: more than a drink, a ritual

Intimate celebrations

Wine seems to have its place at key moments. He confirms it himself:

"The glass of wine when you win the match..." — Sky Sports

Wine, like football, is a shared experience, and it tastes better when there is something to celebrate.

Pairings and harmonies

What would accompany his ideal drink? Surely something simple but with character: a good roast lamb, a board of cured cheeses, or a coca de recapte. Honest, tasty, no-frills food.

Patience, vision and wine

Making good wine takes time, vision and care. Just like your game model. No rushing. Every decision, every step, has a reason. Wine, like football, is art and strategy.

Wines that could be in his cellar

At Vinissimus, we have selected some wines that, due to their style, origin or character, could fit perfectly into Guardiola's personal cellar: