Spanish Wine

With more than 400 indigenous grape varieties, as well as international varieties, there is a vast range of Spanish wines to explore. With renowned reds such as Rioja, popular whites such as Albariño and world-famous sherries, it comes as no surprise that Spain is the world’s third-largest wine producer.

With a history of winemaking that dates back thousands of years, Spain is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. This combination of native grapes and winemaking knowledge has resulted in the production of Spanish wines that are both exciting and impressive.

Some of the main wine regions in Spain include:

• Rioja: Located in northern Spain, Rioja is one of the most famous wine regions in the country and the country’s largest producer of red wine. It’s known for world-class Tempranillo-based red wines, as well as some excellent white wines.
• Castilla y León: Vast in nature, this central Spanish wine region covers nearly one-fifth of the country. While the elegant reds of Tempranillo dominate the vineyards of its most-renowned wine appellation, Ribera del Duero, this region is also exceptional at crafting crisp white Verdejo.
• Priorat: This small but prestigious region in Catalonia produces intense and concentrated red wines from old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena grapes.
• Rías Baixas: Known for top-quality Albariño,Rías Baixas is located in the Galicia region and offers refreshing and aromatic white wines with coastal influences.
• Navarra: Navarra is a diverse region that produces a wide range of wines, from fresh and fruity rosés to robust and complex reds.
• Jerez: In the southwestern region of Andalusia, Jerez is the home of Sherry, the world-famous fortified wine known for its unique aging process and diverse styles.
• Penedès: Cushioned between the border of France and the Mediterranean, the northeastern region of Penedès has a diverse range of grape varieties reflective of its complex climate. From the zippy sparkling wine, Cava, to the berry-bursting flavors of Garnacha, this region is both exciting and impressive in style.

Spain is celebrated for its outstanding red wines, which make up a significant portion of its wine production. From the bold and powerful Tempranillo-based Rioja wines to the smooth and fruity Garnacha wines from regions like Priorat and Navarra, Spanish reds offer diverse flavors and styles to explore.

• Tempranillo: Often referred to as Spain’s “noble grape,” Tempranillo is the star of many Spanish red wines. It thrives in regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro, showcasing flavors of red fruits, earth and spice. Elegant and distinctive, this wine can be aged for an extended period while retaining its solid structure.
• Garnacha: Also known as Grenache, Garnacha is another important and popular red grape variety in Spain. It thrives in hot and dry climates in regions including Priorat and Campo de Borja. It produces wines with smooth tannins and bold red fruit flavors, such as strawberry and raspberry, punctuated with spice notes.
• Monastrell (Mourvèdre): Grown predominantly in the southeastern region of Jumilla and Yecla, Monastrell is known for producing robust and intense red wines. These wines often exhibit blackberry, plum and leather flavors, with a firm tannic structure that allows for excellent aging potential.
• Bobal: Native to the Utiel-Requena region in eastern Spain, Bobal creates easy-drinking, fruity red wines that showcase flavors of cherry, raspberry and violet.
• Mencía: Predominantly found in the northwestern region of Bierzo, Mencía is responsible for producing elegant and aromatic red wines. Mencía wines often display notes of red berries, floral nuances and a distinct minerality.
• Carignan: Carignan is grown in the country’s southeast and creates red wines packed with dark fruit flavors, firm tannins and a touch of spice. Robust and rustic, Carignan pairs well with equally hearty dishes.

Fruit-driven and zippy in acidity, Spanish white wines are exceptional in their style.

• Albariño: This white grape variety is native to the region of Rías Baixas in northwestern Spain. Albariño wines are known for their refreshing acidity, floral aromas and notes of citrus and stone fruits. This makes Albariño the go-to drink with any seafood.
• Verdejo: Grown primarily in the Rueda region, Verdejo produces aromatic and crisp white wines with flavors of tropical fruits, citrus and herbs.
• Macabeo: Also known as Viura, Macabeo is a versatile white grape variety used in the production of white Rioja, sparkling Cava and other white wines in Spain. It offers a balance of floral, fruit and herbal notes.
• Airén: The most widely planted white grape variety in Spain, Airén is used mainly for the production of neutral and light-bodied white wines.
• Godello: A white grape variety that thrives in the arid landscapes of northwest Spain. It produces elegant and complex white wines that showcase flavors of citrus, white flowers and hints of stone fruits, with a medium- to full-bodied, smooth texture and vibrant acidity. Godello wines also enjoy excellent aging potential.

Cava, Spain’s answer to Prosecco, comes in various forms:

• Brut: As the most common style of Cava, Brut is distinctive in its pronounced dry taste. It masterfully strikes a delicate balance between crispness and fruitiness, accentuating its versatile and appealing nature.
• Seco: Seco translates to “dry” in Spanish yet adopts a slightly off-dry style. Sweeter than Brut, it offers a well-rounded mouthfeel with its refreshing effervescence, meaning it works well with many desserts.
• Rosé: Rosé Cava is produced with a luscious blend of red grape varieties, such as Garnacha or Pinot Noir. Its vibrant, refreshing character works well with most desserts and meats.

Sherry is a unique fortified wine produced in the region of Jerez, in Andalusia. It comes in a range of styles, each with its own distinct characteristics. Popular styles include:

• Fino: A pale, dry Sherry with a delicate and crisp profile. It undergoes a unique aging process under a layer of yeast called “flor,” which imparts a distinctive nutty and saline taste.
• Manzanilla: Similar to Fino, but produced in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which gives the wine a slightly briny and maritime quality.
• Amontillado: This Sherry starts as a Fino or Manzanilla but continues aging without the protective flor, resulting in a darker color and richer flavor, with notes of nuts and dried fruits.
• Oloroso: A darker and richer Sherry with a more robust flavor profile. It’s aged without the flor, allowing it to oxidize and develop intense aromas of dried fruits, nuts and spices.