SPAIN

Spain, a country with a rich history and diverse geography, is a wine lover’s paradise. With over 500,000 square kilometers of land and a population of over 45 million, Spain boasts the largest vineyard surface in the world. Wine has been cultivated in Spain since at least 1,100 BC when the Phoenicians established it in the area of Cadiz. This region, close to the sea and offering a fertile, easy-to-harvest, and hot environment, was perfect for the development of wine, marking the origin of the sherry triangle in the area of Jerez de la Frontera in the region of Cadiz.

Spain’s climate is extremely varied, with numerous micro-climates across the country, each perfect for growing different kinds of grapes. This means that Spain has a vast variety of distinct and beautiful vineyard landscapes to explore. The country’s wine regions are shaped by culture, geography, and climate. Notably, wine expert and writer John Radford divided Spain into seven main regions using these criteria, providing a comprehensive understanding of Spain’s wine realities.

Green Spain Wine Region: This region covers the north coast of Spain, from Galicia in the northwest to the Spanish Basque country on the border with France. It has an Atlantic climate, with more rainfall than the rest of Spain, and is known for producing the best white wines in Spain, a perfect match for the seafood and fish that arrive at its harbors daily.

Northern-central Spain: Far from the coast and protected from the Atlantic winds by the Sierra de Cantabria and the Pyrenees mountain ranges, this part of Spain provides favorable conditions for red wine grapes. Spain’s most famous iconic region, Rioja, is included here, as well as Navarre and Aragon.

Central Spain – Old Castile: Castilla Leon, an administrative region in Spain, has played a fundamental role in Spanish history. This region, where continental weather and high altitude shape wines, is home to Vega Sicilia, Spain’s red wine brand established in Valladolid by 1846.

Catalonia and Balearics: Catalonia is located in the Northeast of Spain and it borders France in the North. This wine region is about the Mediterranean climate and culture. Local climate and soils favor cava and white wines, but there is room for elegant red wines and also powerful Crianzas and Reservas, mainly from Priorat.

Southern Mediterranean coast. Levante: This region extends from Castellon, south of Tarragona in Catalonia all the way to the south in Murcia. Warmer temperatures and Mediterranean influence shape this region. Wines from Valencia and Murcia offer great value for money and have for decades exported much of what they produce.

The Meseta. Madrid and Castilla La Mancha: This central part of Spain is set at a semi-arid plain, la Meseta. This large wine region covers La Mancha, which is the world´s largest vineyard, Madrid and Extremadura, the land of Conquistadores like Pizarro, and which neighbors Portugal.

Andalusia and the Canary Islands: This huge region in Southern Spain consists of 8 provinces which, as a whole, provide the most iconic images of Spain: Flamenco, olive oil fields, Andalusian horses, white villages, and la Alhambra palace, bullfighting, and sherry wines.

Each wine region in Spain has something different to offer: winery architecture and design, vineyard patterns, the colors and scents of the different soils and terroirs, the local food produced to accompany the wine, and of course, the wine itself. The country’s winemaking history is as rich and varied as its regions, with influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, and French, among others. The diversity of grape varieties is equally impressive, with each region specializing in different types of grapes, from the Albariño of Galicia to the Tempranillo of Rioja, and the Garnacha of Aragon.

Spain’s winemaking history, its diverse regions, and its wide variety of grape varieties all contribute to the country’s unique and diverse wine styles. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a novice wine enthusiast, exploring Spain’s wine regions offers an enriching and enlightening experience.