On the border of Portugal in the north-west of Spain, the Rias Baixas region of Galicia is cool, green and crisp – not unlike its white wine. The most common grape varieties used are: Garnacha, Cariñena with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.Ī Priorat winery you must visit: Alvaro Palacios – the name that practically singlehandedly spearheaded Priorat’s ascent to the summit of Spanish wines back in the 1980s is still one of the leading wineries in the region. The terrain here is tough (even by Spanish wine region standards), so the vines are forced to search for water in the soil, making yield low – and prices high. With a wine growing history dating back to the 12th century, this southern Catalonian region these days produces some of the finest and fullest bodied reds in Spain… of which most people outside of Spain have never even heard. Priorat is probably Spanish wine’s greatest secret. Wines from Ribera del Duero are usually 100% Tempranillo and are mostly aged in French oak they have the same age classification as Rioja (Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva).Ī Ribera del Duero winery you must visit: Matarromera – in the town of Valbuena del Duero, a trip to this winery can also include a visit to their museum, the EMINA Wine Museum. Only the best Tempranillo grapes are used to make polished Ribera del Duero wines, and there are many in Spain (and outside) who prefer the, frequently, softer more delicate taste, than that of their cousins from Rioja. The ‘other’ great Spanish wine beginning with R. ![]() One thing to look out for is whether the Rioja was aged in American oak, French oak or a mixture of both barrels, with each having their distinct tastes.Ī Rioja winery you must visit: Bodegas López de Heredia – in the town of Haro, it’s one of the older wineries in La Rioja. All are full-bodied and generally best served with food. Made from a variety of grapes it comes in three age classifications: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva. Some numbers, then: it’s Spain’s oldest wine (with written records dating back to the 9th century) there are more than 600 wineries and nearly 15,000 grape growers spread across 65,000 hectares of vineyards. Stretching away across three valleys – the Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental – to the south of the Cantabrian Mountains, it’s a relatively small area that nevertheless packs quite a punch when it comes to global wine production. Rioja is without a doubt, Spain’s best known red. Here’s our 101 guide to some of the top Spanish wine regions to help you explore this fabulous country through one of its very finest assets: its grapes. Which is precisely what makes the range of Spanish wines produced so diverse, lively and interesting. From the misty green inlets of the north-west to the dusty south, via the rolling plains of the centre, Spain is nothing if not incredibly varied in terrain and temperature.
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