Spain
Given the size of the wine growing area, and the range of climates it covers, Spanish wine can offer a huge variety of styles and characters. This means the country offers a brilliant selection of wines that are often very affordable and undervalued!
- Rioja – Tempranillo, Garnacha, Gracinano, Carignan (Mazelo) Viura, Malvasia and Garnacha Blanca
- Ribera del Duero – Tempranillo
- Jerez – Palomino, Pedro Ximenez
- Jumilla – Monastrell
- Priorat – Garnacha, Cariñena and Cabernet Sauvignon
History
Spain has a wine history dating back to the Romans, when they were a major supplier to Rome itself. Of course, the wine industry has changed considerably since this time and Spain is now the third largest producer worldwide.
Production increase is not the only significant change the Spanish have experienced. They have embraced modernisation over the last 30 years and some of their wineries have the best kit in the world. This means quality and consistency is of a level that is the envy of other wine producing countries.
Oak ageing of wines is another important factor in Spain. The terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva only have relevance in Spain, although other countries such as Chile will frequently use these terms on their labels to make their wine seem more attractive and premium.
In the vineyard
With the largest area under vine of any wine growing country, the climate and other vineyard conditions vary considerably.
The North West of the country has the most moderate temperature with some cooling influences from the Atlantic coast contributing to vintage variation. As you head further south the land becomes hotter and drier. Bush vines are most common in the more arid areas, although in some of the higher bulk producing sub-regions there is a move to wire trained vines, to allow for machine harvesting to take place.
Other Spanish Grapes & Wine Regions
Penedès – Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir
Catalunya – Paralleda, Macabeo, Xarel-lo (for Cava) Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon
Rías Baixas – Albariño
Bizero – Mencía
La Mancha – Airén, Tempranillo, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Valdepeñas – Tempranillo
Cariñena – Garnacha and Tempranillo
Navarra – Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Garnacha Blanco
Rueda – Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc
Hennings Wine says
Rioja might be the first region to spring to mind but don’t just stick to reds; there are rosés and some incredible white Riojas to discover too. Other wines to look out for are great value Cava, unbelievably old vine Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and of course Spain’s biggest secret treasure – Sherry!
Selected Spanish Wines
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Bardos Verdejo 2020
Ribera del Duero, SpainNext day delivery
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Altolandon Mil Historias Bobal 2019
Manchuela, SpainNext day delivery
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Marco Abella Loidana 2020
Priorat, SpainNext day delivery
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Aragonia Garnacha Especial 2018
Campo de Borja, SpainNext day delivery
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Luis Cañas Vinas Viejas Blanco 2020
Rioja, SpainNext day delivery
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Mirador Tinto 2020
Rioja, SpainNext day delivery