Spanish Wine Regions

Spanish wine has gone through a period of change over the last few decades and has been on somewhat of a transformation. Traditional legislation, Denominación de Origen (DO), much like in France, still holds force but there has been considerable modernisation of wineries with a more open approach to advancements in winemaking techniques and styles in recent times. This has helped shift the country’s reputation from being quite safe to one which is known for producing incredibly diverse and dynamic wines today.

Spain’s wine production may not be as large as European powerhouses in France and Italy, but it has more area under vine than any other country. However, due to the arid climate and older vines, the crops usually yield much smaller quantities than other regions across the world, but what it may lack in volume is certainly made up for in highly-concentrated and refined wines. Wine is made all over Spain from the Upper Ebro to the Catalunya region and the Duero Valley.

Types of Spanish Wine

As with other European winemaking countries, much Spanish wine is produced under strict DO rules where laws dictate what grapes can be grown and where. The DOC category is awarded to the top producers in DO areas, you’ll find many of these in the prestigious Rioja region.

Red wines are dominated by Tempranillo and Garnacha which are among the most popular varieties to be grown in Spain. Tempranillo is the backbone of most wines of Rioja, the famously classic red wines which are revered the world over.

White wines are made using a vast variety of indigenous grapes, some of the most popular include Airen, Macabéo (aka Viura), Grenache Blanc and Albariño. Albariño made in the coastal region of Galicia is particularly excellent, citrussy with a touch of saltiness.

Cava is the original alternative to Champagne. This Spanish sparkling is mostly made in the Catalonia region using the traditional method of sparkling wine production. It’s richer than Prosecco and not as pricy as Champagne so a great choice for sparkling wine fans.

It’s impossible not to mention Spanish wine without referencing Sherry. Sherry is a delicious fortified wine made in the Andalucia wine region. Styles of sherry vary from fino – a light, dry style perfect for an aperitif, to Pedro Ximenez – a dark, sweet style great for desserts.

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Spanish Wine Regions Map

Pais Vasco
La Rioja
Navarra
Catalunya
Aragon
Castilla-La Mancha
Valencia
Murcia
Andalucia
Extremadura
Madrid
Castilla y León
Galicia
Pais Vasco

An Introduction to Pais Vasco

Pais Vasco, more widely known outside of Spain as the Basque Country, sits on the northern coast and, along with Catalunya, is another fiercely proud and independent region. The traditional Basque wine you’ll find here is known as Txakoli (pronounced Chac-o-lee) and is at the centre of local culture and cuisine. Txakoli, as with most Pais Vasco wines, are mostly white and are very fresh, clean and a perfect match for a warm summer’s day, especially paired with local seafood and pintxos (local Basque tapas). If you ever find yourself with a bottle, make sure you pour it from a height to increase the subtle fizz! Red wines are found here too, but due to the cooler climate are less common. Hondarrabi Beltza is the most widely planted red local variety.

Climate and Geography

As Pais Vasco largely sits on the northern coast, the climate here is a lot cooler than most of Spain and has a heavy maritime influence. The other notable geographical feature are the Basque Mountains which run throughout the entire region which provide much needed shelter from harsh winds. Most vineayards are located in and around the coastline by the capital Bilbao with some also located further south heading towards Rioja. Temperatures on the whole are mild with high levels of rainfall.

Red Varieties

Hondarrabi Beltza, Tempranillo

White Varieties

Hondarrabi Zuri, Izkiriota Ttipia, Izkiriota

Climate

Moderate, maritime

Landscape

Hilly, coastal

Soil

Clay, alluvial

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La Rioja

An Introduction to La Rioja

La Rioja, or Rioja, is Spain’s largest red wine producing region with over 600 wineries and an annual production of over 400 million bottles. Steeped in history dating back to the Ancient Romans, winemaking traditions remained relatively untouched until the mid-19^th century when the influences of Bordeaux came to the fore. High quality oak vats and barrels were introduced to what were once simple, fresh and fruity red wines. Since then, Rioja has never looked back, and has been at the forefront of winemaking in Spain for the past two centuries.

The region itself is a DOCa – a high grade DO – assigned only to wines of consistent quality. Rioja even has its own laws with winemakers restricted to the use of seven grape varieties which come with strict ageing and wine labelling rules. Rioja reds are typically ripe with red fruit which comes from the most commonly planted Tempranillo, and underpinned with smooth tannin, spice and oak. However, in recent years, it’s the white and rosé wines which are really making names for themselves, as winemakers look to set new trends and styles in what is a very classic region.

Climate and Geography

Rioja enjoys an enviable climate to the rest of Spain. Sheltered by the Sierra de Cantabria to the north and west, the cold and harsh Atlantic winds are often kept at bay. This allows long periods of warm sunlight particularly during the summer months. Rioja also avoids the drastic drops in temperature and risk of frost which is more common in the central and southern parts of Spain.

Red Varieties

Tempranillo, Grenache, Graciano, Carignan

White Varieties

Garnacha Blanco, Macabeo, Malvasia

Climate

Moderate, continental

Landscape

Hilly, riverbank locations

Soil

Iron, clay, chalk

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Navarra

An Introduction to Navarra

The Navarra wine region is situated in north eastern Spain and borders Rioja. Often living in the shadows of its world famous neighbour, Navarra is in fact a region to be reckoned with and has for decades been producing wines of serious quality, in particular rosé made with Garnacha. That said, and much like Rioja, red wines here are also of high quality and in the typically classic Spanish style – dry, fruit laden with heavy oak influence. Such is the variety in Navarra that you will also find fragrant whites, sometimes barrel aged, as well as in more recent times the emergence of delicious sweet wines made from late harvest Mosatel. In the cooler northern vineyards, you can even find Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir – typically cool climate varieties.

Climate and Geography

Navarra’s geography is unique with varying factors at play which affect the region’s climate and wines. The Atlantic Ocean, Pyrenees Mountains and the Ebro River all combine to largely moderate temperatures with a distinct Mediterranean influence.

Red Varieties

Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot

White Varieties

Macabeo, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanc, Malvasia

Climate

Moderate, Mediterranean

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Gravel, chalk, sand

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Catalunya

An Introduction to Catalunya

Catalunya is a fiercely proud region with an independent spirit, which is also reflected in its wines. Whereas much of Spain is famed for its reds, it’s actually white wines which really thrive here. Parellada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo are the big three white grape varieties which stand up on their own to produce good quality white wines, but also marry together perfectly to create Spain’s flagship sparkling wine, Cava. Around 95% of Cava is made in Catalunya, with the high-end producers more than competing with the French powerhouses over in Champange. Red wines are largely easy going, although there are DOs within Catalunya which have globally recognised status and boast the most highly prized wines of all the region.

Climate and Geography

The coastal port and capital of Barcelona is at the centre of Catalunya and brings with it heavy Mediterranean influence. Temperatures, whilst still warm, aren’t quite as hot as inland Spain with higher than average rainfall compared to the rest of the country. These conditions are favourable for the production of white and sparkling wines for which Catalunya is known. There are 11 DOs in the region, which is more than any other part of Spain, each one boasting their own wine styles driven by climatic influences. The most widely known and celebrated include Priorat, Penedès and Montsant.

Red Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Monastrell

White Varieties

Parellada, Macabeo, Xarel-lo

Climate

Moderate, Mediterranean

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Alluvial, sand, granite, clay

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Aragon

An Introduction to Aragon

A formerly powerful kingdom not to be confused with everyone’s favourite hero from The Lord of the Rings! Aragon is a relative newcomer to the international wine market, even though it boasts the oldest protected DO, Cariñena, of all of Spain. Red wines dominate production here with winemakers particularly focusing on Garnacha, which is sometimes blended with Tempranillo or Syrah. Macabeo is the dominant white variety, which is also known as Viura across the world. Aragon wines are generally fresh and fruity and considered to be good value Spanish options.

Climate and Geography

Aragon itself contains two geographical provinces in Zaragoza and Huesca. The climate throughout both is very similar – hot and dry with intense summers and cool winters. Vineyards can be found along the River Ebro which is flanked by mountains on either side, whilst in the northerly parts of Aragon the Pyrenees stand tall. The mountainous landscape helps to channel winds down to the vineyards providing essential relief from the long hot days of summer.

Red Varieties

Garnacha, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan

White Varieties

Macabeo, Chardonnay, Alcañon

Climate

Hot

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Sandstone, limestone

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Castilla-La Mancha

An Introduction to Castilla-La Mancha

A vast region of Spain with an equally large yet unrealised potential. Castilla-La Mancha produces seriously large volumes of wine, however only two of its eight DO sub regions produce what would be considered fine wine. The rest is largely made up of cooperatives moving low cost, high volume juice across Spain and the wider world. That said, there is still plenty to get excited about and many will tell you that the very best and most fragrant Spanish Macabeo is produced here. However, as with much of Spain, it is the reds which dominate, and in particular Tempranillo, which is spicy and rich with summer fruits when on form. A key white grape variety to keep an eye out for, which is also the most widely planted, is the robust Airén, which is light, fresh and aromatic.

Climate and Geography

According to locals you will experience nine months of winter and three months of hell, so extreme is the climate! With land ranging from 1,000 to 3,500ft above sea level, it is one of Spain’s most diverse geographical regions. Summers here are incredibly hot with temperatures often 40 degrees and over. Coupled with very little rainfall, vines here are put under pressure, which ironically is often why grape yields are consistently high.

Red Varieties

Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell

White Varieties

Airén, Macabeo

Climate

Hot

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Sand, clay, limestone

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Valencia

An Introduction to Valencia

Valencia, a beautiful city and Spain’s largest port, known the world round for being the spiritual home of Paella, and also a pretty handy wine region situated on the eastern coast. Whilst wine production here still veers towards mediocre quality at high volume, there has been a shift in style in recent years with more serious wines now starting to make a name for themselves. The most common wines are white, with many easy drinking wines made with Merseguera. Solid red wines include Monastrell and Garnacha, but neither quite reach the peak of Spain’s more notable regions. Keep an eye out for very good quality sweet dessert wines.

Climate and Geography

The Valencian climate is about as Mediterranean as it gets! Plenty of sunshine, hot summers, cool winters and gentle coastal breeze. Vineyards are located at higher altitudes away from the coastal city. Sugars that develop in the grapes as a result of the long hours of sunshine naturally present opportunities to produce high alcohol and fortified wines.

Red Varieties

Monastrell, Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon

White Varieties

Merseguera, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Moscatel

Climate

Moderate, Mediterranean

Landscape

Hilly, coastal

Soil

Clay, limestone

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Murcia

An Introduction to Murcia

Murcia is a relatively unknown region and one of the smallest in Spain. Sitting on the south-eastern coast, the area has three DOs in Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla which are all at a relatively close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. In terms of wine production, Murcia is known for lesser quality wines produced at high volume, many of which will be simple table wines or exported as simple ‘Spanish white wine’. The region’s best known and celebrated wine is a full and robust red made with the Monastrell variety, which has high tannins, deep colour and is well suited to barrel ageing. The French even relied upon it during the 19^th century when many of their red wine crops were wiped out with disease.

Climate and Geography

Although Murica is located in the hotter southern areas of Spain, its climate is considerably cooled by the coastal effects of the Mediterranean breeze. That said, temperatures during summer can peak at over 40 degrees which is a primary factor behind big red wines being favourably produced here. White varieties which handle the Murcian heat are usually Macabeo or Merseguera.

Red Varieties

Monastrell, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

White Varieties

Airén, Macabeo, Merseguera

Climate

Moderate, Mediterranean

Landscape

Hilly, coastal

Soil

Clay, limestone

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Andalucia

An Introduction to Andalucia

Andalucia is the home of sherry which is proudly made in the protected DO region of Jerez. Sherry as it is known today can only be produced here, and comes in a wide range of styles, from the light Manzanilla which is almost drunk as a dry white wine, through to the deep and richly sweet Pedro Ximénez. Most sherry is made with the Palomino grape, however vineyards here also plant high volumes of Zalema, a local white variety. Andalucia is also the oldest wine producing region in Spain with a rich history dating back to the ancient Romans and Phoenicians as far back as 1100BC. Generally speaking, it is fortified and dessert wines for which the region is known. Table wines are also produced here and mostly consumed by locals and visitors to the area.

Climate and Geography

Andalucia is the southernmost region in Spain and the most arid. Temperatures here are high throughout the year which contributes to naturally high sugars and concentrated flavours in grapes which are perfect for producing high alcohol wines. Although a lot more rugged than other areas of Spain, it remains a popular tourist destination with its close proximity to the coast. Cooling effects of the Mediterranean form a key part of the overall terroir in Andalucia.

Red Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

White Varieties

Pedro Ximénez, Palomino, Zalema, Muscat

Climate

Hot

Landscape

Hilly, coastal

Soil

Sand, clay, chalk, limestone

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Extremadura

An Introduction to Extremadura

Extremadura is the wild west of Spain’s wine regions. Arid land is dominated by farms and livestock, with more sheep rumoured to be here than humans! It goes under the radar in terms of importance, probably because of the large volumes of wine which is sent around Spain to produce fortified wines. Extremadura only has one DO in Ribera del Guadina which is very much the flagship wine producing area. Good quality reds in Tempranillo, Cencibel and Garnacha are made here, whilst white wines are commonly made with local varieties including Cayetana. Other interesting facts – cork is an important crop here, and it’s also one of the few areas permitted to produce Cava, despite its distance from Catalunya.

Climate and Geography

The climate varies quite substantially here with Atlantic and Mediterranean influences in the areas with closer proximity to the sea. Inland climate is warmer and more continental in style. The River Guadiana has a moderating influence on the hot summer temperatures, which can reach highs of 40 degrees.

Red Varieties

Tempranillo, Monastrell, Cencibel, Garncha, Graciano, Syrah

White Varieties

Airén, Merseguera, Pardina, Cayetana

Climate

Moderate

Landscape

Flat

Soil

Sand, clay, limestone

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Madrid

An Introduction to Madrid

Vinos de Madrid is the DO which covers the vineyards in and around the Spanish capital. The cultural epicentre and heartbeat of Spain is the perfect base to explore surrounding wineries with growing reputations. Quality wine hasn’t always been synonymous with Madrid, but winemaking here originates back to Moorish rule in the early 700s, despite being outlawed by holy law. After years of bulk wine production nearly throughout the entire 20^th century, winemakers today are starting to create world class wines, particularly reds made with Tempranillo. White wines are primarily made with Albilo, Malvar and Macabeo.

Climate and Geography

Madrid is smack in the centre of Spain and doesn’t enjoy the cooling ocean breeze of more coastal regions. This makes the region very much a continental climate with long, hot summers and little rainfall, followed by cooler winters. Due to Madrid’s high altitude of 650 metres, temperatures can fluctuate quite significantly between the seasons.

Red Varieties

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah

White Varieties

Albillo, Malvar, Airén, Macabeo, Moscatel

Climate

Hot, continental

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Clay, loam, granite

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Castilla y León

An Introduction to Castilla y León

The Castilla y León wine region covers nearly a fifth of Spain. It is a heartland of ancient grandeur boasting impressive cathedrals, monuments and castles which the region’s big red wines were originally produced for. Castilla y León boasts five individual DO regions, the most important being Ribera del Duero whose wines are firmly in the world-class category and command the price tags to match. Vineyards here are nearly exclusively Tempranillo, though small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon are also grown. For the best white wines you’ll need to venture to Rueda, another DO, famed for working wonders with the Verdejo grape variety. The white wines made here even challenge the Albariños of Rias Baixas which are often perceived as the very best of Spain.

Climate and Geography

Castilla y León has impressive peaks rising to 3,300 feet above sea level. Centred around its capital Valladolid, the region is almost entirely encircled by mountain ranges which provides shelter from the cooler influences of the westerly Atlantic. Climates are warm and harsh with short, hot summers followed by cold winters with temperatures dropping to as low as -10. This provides high levels of risk with frost, which if managed correctly, can result in unique wines. Many vineyards follow the River Duero which heads into Portugal.

Red Varieties

Tempranillo, Tinta de Toro

White Varieties

Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc

Climate

Hot

Landscape

Hilly

Soil

Alluvial, limestone, chalk

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Galicia

An Introduction to Galicia

Galicia is in the far northwest of Spain, often referred to as the green corner, with its lush rolling hills and network of winding rivers where most of the region’s vineyards sit. Cool conditions make this a perfect location for producing high quality white wines – something which Galicia excels at. Of the region’s five DO areas, Rias Baixas is the most widely recognised, particularly among international exports. Albariño produced here is renowned to be among the finest in all of white wines in Spain, with bursting peach notes, complex aromas and wonderful freshness. Red wines are made too primarily with local varieties such as Mencia and Brancellao, which are also found across the border in Portugal.

Climate and Geography

Sitting just to the north of their Iberian neighbours, Galicia is argued to be among the most beautiful regions in Spain. High granite peaks, coastal coves and winding rivers are blessed with long hours of sunlight and high rainfall providing perfect cool climate conditions for making white wine. Granite soils provide a mineral freshness which is found in the better quality wines made here.

Red Varieties

Mencia, Bastardo, Brancellao

White Varieties

Albarino, Godello, Torrontés

Climate

Cool

Landscape

Hilly, river locations

Soil

Alluvial, granite, slate

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