By Julien Miquel
Spain is the third largest wine-producing country in the world after Italy and France. That means there's a lot of wonderful Spanish wine to try. But have you taken time to explore the depth of Spanish wines? Whether you're newly curious, or you already have a wine rack full of Rioja, our guide is a great tool. It will help you understand what makes Spanish wine taste the way it does, and feel confident exploring all the interesting vinos de España.
Rioja
What You Need To Know
Rioja is arguably the most famous Spanish wine region. But even if you recognize the name, you might not know all that much about the region itself, and the variety of wines it produces.
La Rioja is located in the North of Spain. While the coastal areas of the Basque Country and Navarra just to the north have cold and wet oceanic influences from the Atlantic, the Rioja region is more sheltered. Since it is inland and protected by the the Cantabrian Mountain Ranges, the local climate tends to be warm and dry.
The region is divided into three sub-regions:
Rioja Alavesa is at a significantly higher altitude than the other two sub-regions and has distinctive chalky soils. This results in comparatively lighter wines with greater acidity and more subtle perfumes.
Rioja Alta has iron-rich, limestone-clay soils, and is also at a relatively high altitude (Alta means "high" in Spanish). Many of the best grapes and wines in Rioja are produced here.
Rioja Baja (meaning lower Rioja) has similar soil to the Rioja Alta, but at a lower altitude. The climate is warmer resulting in richer grapes and fuller wines.
Winemakers in Rioja often take advantage of this variety of topographies and climates by blending wines from different areas and grape varieties to benefit from their complementary expressions.
In Rioja, the vineyards are more than 80% red grapes.
Winemakers in Rioja often take advantage of this variety of topographies and climates by blending wines from different areas and grape varieties to benefit from their complementary expressions.
Main Grape Varieties
In Rioja, the vineyards are more than 80% red grapes.
Tempranillo is THE red grape of Rioja. It is present in almost all Rioja red wines, and is generally the main component of blends.
Garnacha (Grenache) requires much more sun to ripen. It is therefore mainly grown is the warmer Rioja Baja area and brings its full body and fruitiness to blends.
Mazuelo (also known as Carineña or Carignan) is a traditional blending grape, represented by small plantings.
Graciano also represents a small proportion of wines made in Rioja, but it brings intense color and flavors to blends. Some rare varietal Graciano wines can be spectacular.
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is the main local white grape.
Wine Styles
Reds
The majority of Rioja wines are red. Red grape varieties are often blended to bring the complementary qualities of each into the whole.
Red wines are generally classified according to the length of their barrel aging:
Joven (young): wines under 15 months old, generally with no oak aging
Crianza: at least 12 months in oak + 12 months aging in bottle before release
Reserva: at least 12 months in oak + 24 months aging in bottle before release
Gran Reserva: at least 24 months in oak + 24 months aging in bottle before release
Generally speaking, only the most concentrated wines are aged for long periods of time in barrel. The best grapes go into the Gran Reservas , while the lightest fruit is assigned to Joven wines. Thus, the longer a Rioja is aged, the fuller and richer the style of wine you’ll find.
Depending on the producer, Rioja wines are additionally divided in two styles or genres:
Traditional Style: aged for a long time in American Oak barrels resulting in smooth, mature, and evolved wines with plenty of spices and complexity.
Modern Style: aged for shorter periods, sometimes in French oak. They are fruitier, more tannic, and more in line with modern international style of red wines.
Whites
Nowadays, white wines of Rioja are dry, light, fresh and crisp. Some more traditional styles of white wines are aged in barrel, which can provide some oxidative characters.
Rosés
Rioja also produces rosé wines, sometimes blending red and white grape varieties.
Reds
Obviously, reds are what defines the the Rioja name. Some popular wines to seek out include:
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva
CVNE Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Finca Ygay
Faustino I Rioja Gran Reserva
For our top Rioja recommendations, check out Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Rioja Red.
Ribera del Duero
What You Need To Know
Ribera del Duero is a wine region located in North-Central Spain in the administrative region of Castilla y León. Some of the most popular, sought-after, and expensive Spanish wines come out of the region, like those of Vega Sicilia or Dominio de Pingus.
In Spanish, Ribera del Duero means ‘The Bank of the Duero River’; same river flows all the way down to Portugal, where it's called the Douro. You may recognize the name, as it's also the home of Port fortified wines.
In the Spanish part of the Duero Valley, landscapes are gentle with soft slopes towards the river. Soils are diverse with alluvial deposits variably covering up clay, sand, or chalk sub-soils.
Due to the area’s inland location, the climate is very continental, with cold winters and very hot, dry summers.
Main Grape Varieties
More than 90% of the vineyards in the Ribera del Duero are Tempranillo. This red grape is also locally called Tinta del País or Tinto Fino. The DO (Denominacion de Origen) regulations stipulate that Tempranillo must make up a minimum of 75% of all red wines here.
To complete their wines, winemakers often blend small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Malbec.
Wine Styles
No white wines are permitted in the appellation, but fruity pink Rosé wines (Rosado) are made.
As in Rioja, red wines are classified according to the length of their barrel aging:
Joven (young): wines under 15 months old, generally with no oak aging
Crianza: at least 12 months in oak + 12 months aging in bottle before release
Reserva: at least 12 months in oak + 24 months aging in bottle before release
Gran Reserva: at least 24 months in oak + 24 months aging in bottle before release
Popular Ribera del Duero wines to seek out include:
Vega Sicilia Único Gran Reserva
Dominio de Pingus ‘Pingus’
Aalto Ribera del Duero
Bodega Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza
Hacienda Monasterio Ribera del Duero
To get recommendations for the most spectacular regional bottles, check out Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Ribera del Duero Red.
Cava
What You Need To Know
Cava is the name and appellation used to designate Spanish sparkling wine made using the same production method as French Champagne, the Méthode Traditionnelle.
Technically, grapes for making Cava wine can be sourced from most regions of Spain. Practically, most Cavas are made in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalunya, near Barcelona. Other historic and important producers are established in the Penedes region, in the town of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia
Some Cava wines reach very high levels of quality and price, but most are more affordable than Champagne and represent great value.
The profile of Cava wines is comparable to French Champagne wines. The lees aging as part of the Méthode Traditionnelle creates wines with smooth texture and complexity. But, generally speaking, Cava wines are a little grassier, with lower acidity and less minerality.
The two most important and historic producers of Cava are Freixenet and Codorníu.
Main Grape Varieties
The local grape varieties used to make Cava wines are Macabeu (a.k.a. Viura), Xarel-Lo, and Perellada. Together, they form the traditional ‘Cava blend’.
But Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are now also commonly found in various proportions.
Wine Styles
White and Rosé sparkling Cava wines are available, and they all tend to be dry, with most wines falling at the Brut or the locally popular Brut Nature (no added sugar) levels. Officially,
Cava wines come in various sweetness levels:
Brut Nature: up to 3 grams of residual sugars, not addition of sugar
Extra Brut: up to 6 g/L of sugar
Brut: up to 12 g/L of sugar
Extra Seco (extra dry): between 12 and 17 g/L of sugar
Seco (dry): between 17 and 32 g/L of sugar
Semiseco (semi-dry): between 32 and 50 g/L of sugar
Dulce (sweet): more than 50 g/L of sugar
Popular Cava sparkling wines to seek out include:
Popular Cava sparkling wines to seek out include:
Segura Viudas Cava Gran Reserva Heredad Brut
Raventos I Blanc L’hereu 1497
Freixenet Cava Cordón Negro Brut
Cristalino Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava
Alta Alella Cava Privat Reserva Brut Nature
For more top Cava recommendations, explore Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Catalonia Sparkling.
Rías Baixas is a wine region located on the Atlantic Coast in the Galicia region of Northwestern Spain, just North of Portugal. Cold coastal water currents provide plenty of cooling influence and precipitation to the area often referred to as the ‘Green Spain’.
Unlike most wine regions around Spain that specialize in producing red wine, Rías Baixas is particularly suited to white wines. In fact, wines from the Rías Baixas D.O. are arguably the most famous and popular Spanish white wines.
Albariño is the main grape here. The area also grows grape varieties they share with the neighboring Vinho Verde region of Portugal: Treixadura, Caiño Blanco, and Loureiro.
But Albariño is so high-quality and popular in Rias Baixas, it has gained the nearly-exclusive focus of most wineries.
Rias Baixas only produces very small amounts of red wines that rarely get out of the local market.
White wines are dry and primarily made from Albariño. They are fresh, with crisp acidity, and all-important fruity and sweet fragrance. Typical aromas are those of apple, citrus, lime, peach, or almond.
Popular Rías Baixas sparkling wines to seek out include:
Raventos I Blanc L’hereu 1497
Freixenet Cava Cordón Negro Brut
Cristalino Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava
Alta Alella Cava Privat Reserva Brut Nature
For more top Cava recommendations, explore Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Catalonia Sparkling.
Rías Baixas
What You Need To Know
Rías Baixas is a wine region located on the Atlantic Coast in the Galicia region of Northwestern Spain, just North of Portugal. Cold coastal water currents provide plenty of cooling influence and precipitation to the area often referred to as the ‘Green Spain’.
Unlike most wine regions around Spain that specialize in producing red wine, Rías Baixas is particularly suited to white wines. In fact, wines from the Rías Baixas D.O. are arguably the most famous and popular Spanish white wines.
Main Grape Varieties
Albariño is the main grape here. The area also grows grape varieties they share with the neighboring Vinho Verde region of Portugal: Treixadura, Caiño Blanco, and Loureiro.
But Albariño is so high-quality and popular in Rias Baixas, it has gained the nearly-exclusive focus of most wineries.
Wine Styles
Rias Baixas only produces very small amounts of red wines that rarely get out of the local market.
White wines are dry and primarily made from Albariño. They are fresh, with crisp acidity, and all-important fruity and sweet fragrance. Typical aromas are those of apple, citrus, lime, peach, or almond.
Popular Rías Baixas sparkling wines to seek out include:
Mar de Frades Rías Baixas Albariño
Martin Codax Rías Baixas Albariño
Pazo Señorans Camino del Peregrino
Terras Gauda O Rosal Albariño
Pazo Señorans Albariño Rías Baixas
Discover the best of Rias Baixas in Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Albariño.
Priorat
Priorat is a small but prestigious wine appellation located in the Spanish region of Catalonia, near the Mediterranean Coast of North-Eastern Spain. With Rioja, it is one of only two Spanish regions to have been granted the DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada) classification.
The topography here is very hilly, if not mountainous; steep slopes force many vineyards to be established on terraces. Soils are thin and distinctively free-draining in the area, made from decomposed slate and mica. Locals refer to this particularly poor type of soil as llicorella, the Catalan name for slate.
The Priorat climate is Mediterranean, with a continental edge due the region’s relatively inland location. Summers are very hot with low levels of precipitation. All these conditions converge to make Priorat a particularly dry area where vines, often old, have very low yields of concentrated grapes, favourable for making rich, dense wines.
Main Grape Varieties
Garnacha (Grenache) represents over 40% of vineyards in Priorat, making it the most important grape variety just before Cariñena (Carignan).
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are also grown in much smaller proportions.
Wine Styles
Most Priorat wines are red and dense, blended predominantly from Garnacha and Cariñena. They are often aged in oak. White wines exist but are relatively rare.
The same aging classification as in Rioja applies to Priorat wine regulations: Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva. Practically, these terms are rarely seen on labels here. Expect powerful, concentrated wines generally with significant levels of alcohol.
Popular Priorat wines to seek out include:
René Barbier Clos Mogador
Alvaro Palacios L'Ermita Velles Vinyes
Clos Erasmus
Cal Pla Black Slate Porrera
Mas Martinet Clos Martinet
For recommendations for the best of the region, explore Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Priorat Red.
OTHER DOs
In addition to the five most important ones detailed in this guide, Spain has many other DO appellations (Denominacion de Origen) all around the country.
Beyond the most popular regions we explored here, these five others round out the Top 10 for quality of their wines in Spain.
Beyond the most popular regions we explored here, these five others round out the Top 10 for quality of their wines in Spain.
Bierzo
Located in the Northwestern part of Spain, close to the border with Portugal, Bierzo produces remarkable red wines from bush vines of a local grape called Mencia.
Proximity to the cooling influence from the Atlantic Ocean mean wines here are less full-bodied than most other Spanish reds. These intensely-scented wines have an aromatic profile that is less ripe too, with fragrances like red cherries, cranberries, and herbs.
Producers to look for include: Descendientes de J. Palacios, Raul Perez, and Vinos de Arguanza.
Toro
Toro is a small town and a wine region located along the Duero River, just in between the more famous Ribera del Duero and the Douro Valley.
Along with Rioja and the Ribera del Duero, Toro is the third Spanish region specialized in growing Tempranillo, locally called Tinta de Toro. Due to the warmer and dryer climate here, Toro’s Tempranillo wines are the fullest and ripest you will find in Spain. You can learn more about this topic in The Major Tempranillo Regions of Spain.
The area has relatively recently acquired international recognition for the quality of its wines. It has received investments from many top wine producers from other regions or countries like Vega Sicilia, the Moet Hennessy group, Mauro, and Michel Rolland.
Producers to look for include: Bodega Numanthia, Pintia, Campo Eliseo
Find more top recommendations in Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Toro Red.
Penedés
Penedés is the biggest appellation in Catalonia and one of the most important viticultural area of Spain. The region produces many grapes for Cava sparkling wines, but still wines of many styles and colors come out of the region, too.
Penedés benefits from a wide range of altitudes, from the coastal parts at nearly sea level to inland areas reaching up to 2625ft (800m). The region is therefore able to make wines from many different grape varieties, from the heat-loving Garnacha (Grenache) to heat-sensitive Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. You’ll also find Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo and many more.
Producers to look for include: Miguel Torres, Jean Leon, Gramona
Rueda
Together with Rias Baixas, Rueda produces the best Spanish white wines. This area of the Castilla y León region produces crisp, fragrant, and refreshingly grassy white wines from blends of the local Verdejo grape with Sauvignon Blanc and Viura (Macabeo).
Producers to look for include: Belondrade, Bodegas Naia, Jose Pariente
Discover the best Rueda wines in Vivino's 2016 Wine Style Awards for Spanish Verdejo.
Sherry/Jerez
A guide to Spanish wines could not be complete without mentioning the Sherry, or Jerez, region. The area produces some of the most famous fortified wines in the world, with a distinctive oxidative elaboration method and complex barrel aging process in Solera.
To learn more about this unique type of wines, get to know them in my Guide to Fortified Wines - Sherry.
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