Spain and its wines

The Spain is one of the largest and most important wine-producing countries in the world, with over 960.000 hectares of vineyards, the largest vineyard on the planet. Thanks to the variety of climates, terroirs and winemaking traditions, Spain offers an incredibly wide range of wines, from structured, long-lived reds of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, to the fresh and mineral whites of Galicia, through the Cava sparkling wines and the fortified wines of Jerez.

Spanish viticulture is governed by a system of Denominaciones de Origen (DO) and Denominaciones de Origen Calificada (DOCa), with over 70 officially recognised appellations. Among the most important grape varieties are Tempranillo, Garnacha, Albariño and Verdejo, as well as international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

What is the Spain wine district?

Spain is divided into several wine macro-regions, each with unique characteristics:

• North-west (Galicia, Bierzo) → Fresh, savoury whites and elegant reds.
• North (Rioja, Navarra, Ribera del Duero, Toro) → Intense, long-lived reds, with Tempranillo taking the lead.
• East (Catalonia, Valencia, Priorat) → Cava sparkling wines, mineral reds, aromatic whites.
• Centre (Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid) → Full-bodied, powerful wines.
• South (Andalusia, Jerez, Montilla-Moriles) → World-famous fortified and sweet wines.

The main DO and DOCa appellations include:

• Rioja DOCa → Spain's most famous wine, an elegant, complex red.
• Ribera del Duero DO → Powerful, long-lived Tempranillo.
• Priorat DOCa → Mineral, elegant reds.
• Rías Baixas DO → Fresh, savoury Albariño.
• Cava DO → Spain's great traditional method sparkling wine.
• Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO → Fortified wines unlike any others in the world.

The Great Wine Regions of Spain

1. Rioja (North-East, DOCa)

• Main grape varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano.
• Style: Elegant, complex reds, with great ageing potential.
• Famous appellations: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental.

2. Ribera del Duero and Toro (North, DO)

• Main grape varieties: Tempranillo (Tinta del País, Tinta de Toro).
• Style: Structured, intense and long-lived reds.
• Famous appellations: Ribera del Duero DO, Toro DO.

3. Priorat and Montsant (Catalonia, DOCa and DO)

• Main grape varieties: Garnacha, Carignan.
• Style: Powerful, mineral and spicy reds.
• Famous appellations: Priorat DOCa, Montsant DO.

4. Rías Baixas and Galicia (North-West, DO)

• Main grape varieties: Albariño, Godello, Treixadura.
• Style: Fresh, mineral and savoury whites.
• Famous appellations: Rías Baixas DO, Ribeiro DO.

5. Castilla-La Mancha (Central Spain, DO and Vinos de Pago)

• Main grape varieties: Tempranillo, Airén, Garnacha.
• Style: Robust, fruity reds, fresh whites.
• Famous appellations: La Mancha DO, Pago Dominio de Valdepusa.

6. Jerez and Andalusia (South, DO)

• Main grape varieties: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel.
• Style: Fortified and oxidative wines.
• Famous appellations: Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, Montilla-Moriles DO.

Characteristics of Spanish Wines

Colour

• Reds: Intense ruby red with garnet reflections in the older wines.
• Whites: Straw yellow with greenish shades in the fresh wines, golden in the more mature ones.
• Sparkling wines: Bright yellow with a fine, persistent perlage.

Aromas

• Fruity: Ripe red fruit, cherry, blackberry in the reds; citrus and apple in the whites.
• Floral: White flowers in the whites; violet in the Tempranillo.
• Spicy and Oxidative: Vanilla, leather and tobacco in Rioja Gran Reserva; walnut and caramel in Jerez.

Palate

• Structured and Long-lived: In the great reds of Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
• Fresh and Mineral: In the Atlantic whites of Galicia.
• Dry and Intense: In the Jerez Fino and Manzanilla wines.

Typical Grape Varieties of Spain

Black Grape Varieties

• Tempranillo: The king of Spanish reds, elegant and complex.
• Garnacha: Fruity and spicy, perfect for blends and powerful wines.
• Mencía: Light and mineral, typical of the north-west.
• Monastrell (Mourvèdre): Full-bodied and tannic, ideal for ageing.

White Grape Varieties

• Albariño: Aromatic and savoury, perfect for the wines of Galicia.
• Verdejo: Mineral and fresh, typical of Rueda.
• Palomino: Used for Jerez wines, with great resistance to oxidation.

Why Choose a Wine from Spain?

A wine from the Spain is a journey through tradition, innovation and unique terroirs. Perfect alongside tapas, grilled meat, fish and aged cheeses, Spanish wines offer an incredible variety of styles and excellent quality.