Spain is one of the world's top wine-producing countries

Spain is truly a unique wine country with a vast range of styles, producers, and prices. From the sweet and savoury Sherry from Sanlucar de Barrameda to the fruity and robust reds of Rioja, Spanish wines have something for everyone.

The country has seen a technological revolution in recent years and there are plenty of wonderful and affordable Spanish wines to be enjoyed and savoured.

Spanish winemakers are talented and creative, and they are sure to continue producing delicious and unique wines for us all to enjoy in the years to come.

Spain´s Wine Regions

Wine Regions Spain

Rioja is rightly Spain's best-known wine and includes wines such as Cune, Berberana, Marques de Caceres and La Rioja Alta

Another top-drawer and currently fashionable region is Ribera del Duero in Castilla-Leon which makes the country's most expensive wine, Vega Sicilia, other outstanding reds to look out for are Pesquera, Viña Pedrosa and Senorio de Nava.

There are also scores of other regional wines - some of the best are Navarra (Chivite, Palacio de la Vega) and Catalunya (Bach, Raimat, Caus Lubis and Alvaro Palacios), a region which also produces the champagne-like cava (Codorniu, Marques de Monistrol).

Galicia too, in the temperate northwest is producing some notable white wines (Ribeiro, Fefinanes and Albariño are prominent producers).

One of the most well-known producing wine regions of Spain is those that produce the ever-popular Sherry wines which are produced in Jerez de la Frontera.

Spain´s Love of Wine

Donostyle Tour La Rioja Wine Region

You will find many bars and restaurants in Spain offering great value budget menus for around six to ten Euros, some of which will even include a bottle of wine for two persons.

For the most part, the wine included is adequate in quality, most establishments serve Valdepenas which is a reasonable mass-produced wine from the central plains of El Castile.

Of course, if you pay the lowest rates for a decent menu that includes wine you will be given the cheaper brands which will probably taste better when mixed with a dash of lemonade ( Casera ).

Most Restaurants though will offer a thoughtful and varied Carta de Vino ( Wine List ) at very reasonable prices, it is not unusual to see good quality house wines for around 10 to 20 Euros a bottle.

As you would imagine though the better wines are only normally found at the more upmarket eateries.

Spanish Red Wine

Wine From Spain

When it comes to Spanish red wines, there is a wide variety of styles and flavors for you to explore!

In the north and central areas of Spain, Tempranillo is the most popular grape variety and is used to produce full-bodied, tannic wines with high acidity.

In the northeast, Garnacha is the main grape used to make smooth and fruity red wines with a spicy finish. And in the south, Monastrell is the primary variety used to produce bold and intense wines with deep colour and flavour.

No matter which type of Spanish red wine you prefer, there are some great options available.

Some of the most popular Spanish red wines include Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, and Bierzo. Each one offers its own unique flavour profile and can be enjoyed by itself or paired with a variety of dishes.

So don’t be afraid to explore the world of Spanish red wines, and discover the perfect bottle for you!

Rioja Winery

Best Spanish Red Wines

  • Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva
  • Vega Sicilia Unico
  • Valdemar Maturana Tinta
  • Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva
  • Marques de Caseres
  • Altos de Lanzaga
  • Dominio de Pingus
  • Alvaro Palacios L’Ermita
  • Clos Erasmus
  • Muga Torre Muga

Budget-Friendly Red Wine

Spanish Wine & Tapas

1. Finca Nueva

This is a classic red wine with an intense purple colour that originates from Rioja, Spain. It comes from a grape variety known as the Tempranillo.

Many Spanish people refer to this black grape as the noble grape. Tempranillo ripens earlier than most other grapes in Spain and has been used for winemaking since the ancient days of the Phoenician settlements.

Finca Nueva has an enduring and unforgettable flavour that comes with a touch of modern-day sophistication.

2. The Ramón Roqueta Reserva

This red wine comes from the Bodegas Winery in the region of Catalonia, has an alcohol level of around 13.5% and is usually sold in 750-millilitre bottles.

A hugely popular red wine with over 10,000 cases is made each year.

The Ramon Roqueta Reserva has a deep ruby colour, is and is low in both acidity and sugar content.

The Tempranillo grape is used to make this wine with blends of Cabernet Sauvignon which gives the wine a delicate and pleasing aroma.

 3. Artazuri Garnacha

 Artazuri Garnacha Rose is a good budget-friendly wine and although it may not be one of the most well-known Spanish wines it does have a very agreeable earthy taste and is sold at a very reasonable price, well worth a try this one.

Spanish White Wine

White Wine From Spain

While Spain is known more for its red wines there are some excellent white wines on offer.

With more hectares of vineyards than any other country in the world, Spain now produces a large selection of renowned white wines.

10 Top Spanish White Wines

»  Edalo Contreras Ruiz, Condado de Huelva
»  Rioja Blanco Castillo de Albai
»  Castell Macabeu/Chardonnay - Clos Mont Blanc
»  Ermita del Conde Albillo - Castilla y León
»  Lagar de Cervera Albariño -  Rías Baixas
»  Monte Blanco de Ramón Bilbao Verdejo -  Rueda
»  Canto Real Verdejo  -  Rueda
»  Martín Códax As Caixas Godello  - Rías Baixas
»  Blanco Nieva Pie Franco - Rueda
»  Pazo Senorans Albariño -   Rías Baixa

1. Sherry

Sherry Wines from Jerez Spain
Sherry Wines from Jerez Spain

Sherry is a white fortified wine produced in the Andalucia city of Jerez.

Most homes will have at least one bottle ready for a quick family celebration.

Chances are you have already tried some as it ranks as one of the most popular white wines in the world.

2. Albarino White Wine

Albarino Vineyard Galicia
Albarino Vineyard Galicia

Spain's signature white wine is Albarino, and it is named for a grape that is grown in Galicia.

Exclusively bottled as a varietal ( wine produced from a single grape variety ) it is unquestionably ranked as one of the world's finest white wines.

The intense mineral content, searing acidity, and light body are similar to that of a light ocean breeze.

The locals love to pair it with fresh fish, seafood and paella.

3. Rueda

One of the most famous white Spanish wines comes from the Rueda wine-growing region, Rueda stands for the wheel in Spanish.

The main grape variety used to produce  Rueda wines is verdejo, while the rest is usually made up of Sauvignon Blanc.

Cava - Spanish Sparkling Wine

Cava Wine Celler

Cava is a traditional Spanish sparkling wine that is produced using the same method as Champagne.

The taste is closer to Champagne than Prosecco, and it is becoming increasingly popular as a value-oriented bubbly.

Cava typically has zesty aromatics and a light body, but some producers are beginning to age their wines on the lees to give them a fuller body and baked notes of apple and almond.

In addition, some producers are even using French grapes such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to give their Cava a unique complexity and flavour profile.

If you're looking for a unique bubbly with a classic and traditional flavour, Cava might be a perfect choice.

The makers of Cava have the unique advantage of having access to two distinct grape varieties: Spanish indigenous grapes, such as Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo, as well as the grapes used in Champagne, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

This allows the winemakers to produce a flavour profile that is both unique to Spain as well as influenced by French characters.

Unlike Champagne, there are no geographical restrictions on where Cava can be made throughout Spain.

However, the regulating body of Cava has expressed interest in introducing regulated regions, allowing producers to create a specific and consistent flavour profile. This could potentially make Cava even more desirable and popular with consumers.

Cava Sparkling Wine

Top Award-Winning Spanish Cava Sparkling Wines

  1. Roger Goulart - Josep Valls Gran Reserva
  2. Juve y Camps Millesime Rose Brut from Puninwine
  3. Covides Gran Reserva Gesta Brut NV
  4. Rovellats Mesia Segle XV Gran Reserva
  5. Vilanau Organic Reserva Brut
  6. Vallformosa Origen Reserva Brut
  7. Marquis de ls Concordia
  8. Segura Viudas Gran Reserva
  9. Anna de Cordoniu Brut
  10. Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut Cava

10 Amazing Wineries You Can Visit in Spain

Spain has the most wineries in the world, there are currently around 4.300 bodegas located all around the country.

Luckily there are a large number of wineries that are open to public visits and some of them are truly spectacular and well worth exploring.

Marques de Riscal Winery La Rioja

Hotel Marques De Riscal
Hotel Marques De Riscal

For a luxury dedicated wine-tasting tour try the stunning Hotel Marques de Riscal in the heart of the Rioja wine country.

The hotel is nestled within the renowned vineyards of the Marques De Riscal near the medieval village of El Ciego.

The stunning twenty-first-century avant-garde design was created by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry.

Our pick of the best wineries to visit in Spain include:

  1. Marques de Riscal ( Rioja )
  2. Bodegas Regina Viarum ( Lugo )
  3. Bodegas Granbazan ( Pontivedra )
  4. Bodegas Finca La Emperatriz ( Rioja )
  5. Bodegas Baigorri ( Alava )
  6. Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro ( Valladolid )
  7. Bodegas Pradorey ( Burgos )
  8. Bodegas Ysios ( Rioja )
  9. Bodegas Gonzales-Puras ( Rioja )
  10. Bodega Beroja ( Vizcaya )

Wine & Vineyard Tours

Malaga Wine Tour

Spain offers lots of wine tourism opportunities from day trip bodega visits to stays in exclusive luxury vineyard hotels.  Some of the best companies which organise wine-tasting and tourism trips include:

» Get Your Guide Rioja Tours
» Winetourismspain.com
» Cellar Tours
» Decanter.com