Spanish Wines

Spain ranks as the second largest wine producer in the world, following France, with Italy in third place.
Sherry, a renowned Spanish wine, hails from Jerez. A particular variety, Manzanilla, is a fino sherry produced around the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
The name “manzanilla” translates to “chamomile” in Spanish, reflecting the wine’s flavor profile, which is reminiscent of chamomile tea.
Sherry is crafted using methods similar to those used for fino, resulting in a pale, dry beverage often noted for its salty taste. This unique flavor is attributed to its production near the Guadalquivir river estuary.
The cooler temperatures and high humidity in Sanlúcar de Barrameda support a denser growth of flor yeast compared to Jerez or El Puerto de Santa María, allowing for better protection of the wine from air exposure. This results in a fresher and more delicate flavor than other fino varieties.
Red Wines
Spain’s most prominent red wine regions include Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Penedés.
In Rioja, four red grape varieties are permitted, with Tempranillo as the dominant grape, followed by Garnacha (Grenache), Graciano, and Mazuelo. The latter two are excellent varietals but known to be challenging to cultivate.
The aging classifications for Rioja wines are as follows: Crianza wines are aged for two years, Reservas for three years, and Gran Reservas (or Reserva Especial) for a minimum of five years.
Ribera del Duero, although recognized as a wine region only since 1982, is often regarded by Spaniards as the source of the country’s finest wines. Penedés, on the other hand, produces both red and white wines and is home to Torres, Spain’s largest wine brand.
Quality
Around 25 years ago, the quality of Spanish red wines was generally considered mediocre, often due to excessive aging in wood barrels that masked their freshness and fruitiness.
However, the quality of Spanish wines has significantly improved, allowing them to compete on an international scale.
High-quality Spanish wines have recently gained popularity in various circles. Renowned wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. has highlighted several top estates, including Artadi, Clos Erasmus, Alvaro Palacios, Tinto Pesquera, Dominio de Pingus, and Bodega Vega Sicilia.
Notably, Gran Corona Mas La Plata 1970 won first place in the Cabernet blend category at the Wine Olympics.
White Wines
The most celebrated white wines come from Galicia, specifically the D.O. Rias Baixas and Ribeira regions, where the Albariño grape is the star.
Another notable area for white wine is Rueda, located in the province of Valladolid, which primarily utilizes the Verdejo grape variety.
Appellation
Denominación de Origen (DO) is an appellation system primarily for Spanish wines, modeled after Italy’s DOC. As of 2006, there are 65 recognized wine regions with DO status. The labeling system consists of two levels, similar to the Italian approach:
– DO — Denominación de Origen
– DOCa — Denominación de Origen Calificada
The DOCa label was established on April 3, 1991, with Rioja being the sole appellation to receive this designation.
Spain’s recognized wine-producing regions cultivate a rich variety of native grape species, which can often lead to confusion among consumers due to the multitude of wines with unfamiliar names.