Spanish wine

Spain is not an easy country to summarise, boasting a wildly diverse landscape that’s home to 70 different winemaking regions. But that doesn’t stop it from being a powerhouse on the world wine stage – it’s the world’s third-largest wine producer, with a prestigious reputation for elite red, white and rosé wines.

It's also one of the most established wine-producing nations with a history of winemaking dating back thousands of years. This deep tradition, combined with its unique collection of grape varieties, ensures that Spanish wines consistently impress with their quality and character.

Spanish wine is best known for its red wines such as the robust Rioja blends, sparkling Cava and sherries. But recent years have seen Spanish whites step into the spotlight, with wines such as refreshing Albariños delighting wine lovers around the world.

Some of the main wine regions in Spain include:

• Rioja: The most famous Spanish wine region, Rioja is celebrated for its Tempranillo-based red blends but it also offers notable white wines that have earned their own acclaim.
• Castilla y León: Spanning a massive area of central Spain – nearly one-fifth of the nation’s landmass – this region is famed for its robust red Tempranillo wines, particularly from the Ribera del Duero appellation. Castilla y León is also gaining recognition for its fresh and crisp Verdejo whites.
• Priorat: Situated in Catalonia, Priorat might be small in size but it has a big reputation. The region is known for producing deep and rich reds, primarily from its historic Garnacha and Cariñena vineyards.
• Rías Baixas: Located in the cooler Galicia region, Rías Baixas has created a name for itself with its aromatic Albariño whites, which often carry subtle hints of the nearby sea.
• Navarra: With its versatile terrains, Navarra delivers a wide range of wines – from light rosés to hearty reds, this region has something for every taste.
• Penedès: Bordering France and lying close to the Mediterranean coast, Penedès benefits from hot summers and mild winters. Renowned as the heartland of the bubbly Cava, it is also the home of a number of exciting wines, including those made from the flavourful Garnacha grape.
• Jerez: Positioned in the sunny region of Andalucia, Jerez is famous for its Sherry. This fortified wine, with styles from dry to sweet, has an age-old tradition and a global following.

Spain is best known for its diverse and remarkable reds. The variety in Spanish reds encompasses everything from the deep and structured Riojas – primarily made of Tempranillo – to the berry-rich wines made from Garnacha.

• Tempranillo: Widely recognised as Spain’s flagship grape, Tempranillo flourishes in regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro. The wines it makes have red fruit flavours such as cherry and plum, underscored by hints of spice and earth. Their balance makes them suitable for ageing, allowing the wines to evolve over time.
• Garnacha: Also known internationally as Grenache, Garnacha prefers the warm and arid terrains of regions such as Campo de Borja and Priorat. The wines it makes are well-rounded and fruit-forward, with dominant notes of strawberry, raspberry and a backdrop of spice.
• Monastrell: Also referred to as Mourvèdre, Monastrell makes intensely flavoured wines. Dominant notes include dark fruits such as blackberries and plums, often complemented by leathery undertones. This grape is grown mainly in areas such as Jumilla and Yecla. Its tannic structure makes it suitable for ageing.
• Carignan: This grape, primarily grown in southeastern Spain, lends itself to hearty and robust wines. Their firm tannic profile, dark fruit flavours, and a touch of spice make them good pairing options for rich meals.

Spain’s range of climates and landscapes make for a wide range of white wines to enjoy. Spanish white wines are celebrated for their vibrant fruit profiles and refreshing acidity, from aromatic and crisp varieties to wines with a fuller body and creamy texture. Popular white wines include:

• Albariño: Albariño wines are known for their refreshing acidity, floral aromas and flavours of citrus and stone fruits – perfect for pairing with classic Spanish seafood dishes. This popular white variety is native to Rías Baixas, a region found in northwestern Spain.
• Verdejo: With roots in the Rueda region, Verdejo is a white grape that makes highly aromatic wines – expect flavours of tropical fruits such as pineapple layered with zesty citrus notes and subtle undertones of herbs, making them a refreshing drink.
• Macabeo (or Viura): Better known in some regions as Viura, Macabeo plays a central role in white Rioja blends and is a key grape found in the sparkling wine Cava. Wines made with Macabeo often strike a balance between fruity and floral aromas, with a hint of herbs.
• Airén: As Spain’s most widely planted grape, wines made from Airén tend to be neutral, light-bodied and straightforward, providing a clean taste that pairs well with various dishes.
• Godello: Originating from Spain’s northwest, Godello grapes make for elegant wines often described as having a white blossom and stone fruit flavours with a medium-to-full body. Their creamy texture, combined with a lively acidity, make them an enjoyable option as a solo glass.

While Italy may dominate in the affordable fizz stakes with Prosecco, Spain has its own sparkling wine - Cava - which is made in various styles:

• Brut: The most common style of Cava and the driest. This versatile sparkling wine has little or no added sugar but still walks the line between crisp and fruity. It’s similar to Champagne in flavour but without the French sparkling wine’s signature sweet biscuit hints.
• Seco: Meaning “dry” in Spanish, Seco Cava is slightly sweeter than Brut. Refreshing with fine bubbles and a well-rounded texture, this style of Cava makes a great pairing with desserts.
• Rosé: Vibrant and refreshing, rosé Cava is made by expertly blending red varieties like Pinot Noir and Garnacha. With flavours of raspberry and hints of bay leaf, this style suits many desserts.

Available in a range of styles with individual, distinct characteristics, Sherry is a fortified wine produced in the Andalusian region of Jerez. Delicious on its own or as a cooking ingredient, popular styles include:

• Fino: Delicate and dry with crisp flavours, Fino Sherry has a unique ageing process involving maturing under a layer of yeast called a flor. This creates its characteristic nutty, saline flavour.
• Manzanilla: A fino that has been produced in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where the coastal climate gives the sherry a slightly briny, maritime character.
• Oloroso: Aged without using a flor, Oloroso is a darker, richer style of Sherry that develops intense flavours and aromas of dried fruits, spices and nuts as it matures.
• Amontillado: Starting as a Fino Sherry but aged like an Oloroso, Amontillado Sherry turns into a richer Sherry with flavours of dried fruit and nuts. Often considered a happy medium.