And Italian, are considered classics of winemaking.

In order to ensure quality control of the wines produced, in 2003 Spain passed a state law on vineyards and wine and established an official classification.

Quality classification

Spanish wines have a rather complex classification system based on the geographical location of the wine. According to her, there are 2 large groups:

• table wines
• quality wines produced in certain regions.

Table wines

More than 60% of Spanish wines are still. Their label says:

• "Vino de la tierra ..." (VDIT or "local wines") - for table wines with the right to designate the region of grape growing,
• "Vino de mesa" - for all wines not included in the classification.

It should be noted that some exclusive expensive wines fall into the “vino de mesa” category as they do not fit into the standard groups.

VDIT drinks are a good accompaniment to lunch or dinner, but if you want to taste a wine with a real Spanish character, pay attention to the quality wines of the regions.

Quality wines of the regions

• quality wines with geographical indications,
• wines with recognized designation of origin (DOCa),

The most expensive and quality wines are pago. Their level corresponds to the famous Burgundy Grand Crus. Pago wines are difficult to acquire - they are produced by only about 10 small wineries.

The more common DOCa wines are produced and bottled in the three best wine regions in Spain: Prirat, Rioja and Cava.

The quality of DO wines matches French AOC wines. DO wines are actively exported to different countries.

A transitional category between table and vintage wine is considered to be quality wines with geographical indications of the region where it was made. Their label has the inscription "vino de calidad de ...".

Extract of Spanish wines

Most Spanish wines are aged in 600-liter oak barrels. There are three groups depending on the aging period:

• Noble - at least 18 months,
• Añejo - at least 24 months,
• Viejo - at least 36 months.

The most expensive and high quality wines are aged in small barrels with a volume of about 300 liters.

Reserva red wines mature for 36 months, whites and rosés for at least 24.

The most aged wines are Gran Reserva. Reds ripen for at least 60 months, whites and pinks - 48 months or more.

For sparkling wines, there is a division into the Premium (Reserva) and Gran Reserva categories. The latter includes sparkling wines aged in the bottle for at least 30 months.

Popular Spanish wines

Many national grape varieties are grown in Spain. For reds, mainly Tempranillo, Garnacha and Carignano varieties are used, for whites - Albranillo, Ayren and Moscatel.

When it comes to the classic Spanish red wine, most often they talk about wines from the Tempranillo grapes. These grapes produce full-bodied, rich wines with a long finish and soft tannins. A deeper taste is given to them by aging in oak barrels. The best wines from Tempranillo will amaze you with their multifaceted fruity bouquet, light, lively and at the same time dense structure.

If you prefer white wine, try the Airen grape drinks. These are light, refreshing wines with a delicate aroma. It is customary to drink them young, within 1-2 years from the date of manufacture.

The taste of unblended Ayren wines is highly dependent on the method of production, which gives the individuality of the products of each winery.

Spanish wines on WineStreet catalog

On the WineStreet website you will find a wide selection of table and vintage wines from Spain. All drinks can be purchased with home delivery at a convenient time.

Traveling around Spain, you will surely notice that not only beach and sightseeing, but also wine tourism is developed in this sunny country. Our article will be devoted to him. Spanish wines are deservedly popular and respected by connoisseurs all over the world. After all, people have been cultivating vines here for more than five thousand years! Over the centuries, the Spaniards have developed over six hundred local grape varieties. However, a good drink depends not only on the raw materials, but also on the terroir - the area where the berries are grown. Blending is of no small importance, and especially the production technology. All these subtleties and nuances of wine making are reflected in mysterious signs on the bottle label. We will teach you to decipher these meanings and abbreviations. We hope by reading this article you will be able to choose the best possible wines in the shops or cellars of Spain.

The history of vine cultivation

The Carthaginians and Phoenicians had a hand in the development of winemaking on the Iberian Peninsula. Archaeologists find evidence of this in artifacts that date back to the fourth millennium BC. When these lands became part of the Roman Empire, local wines were first "exported". They were drunk in the Loire Valley, Normandy, Bordeaux. The Mauritanian rule, despite the religious ban on alcohol, did not harm winemaking. They just taxed the producers.

Reconquista spurred the development of winemaking. They tried to cultivate cultivation from a scientific basis. Even the inveterate opponent of León-y-Aragon, Britain, bought Spanish wines. The civil war and the subsequent rule of Franco weakened the industry somewhat. But since the seventies of the last century, alcohol from Spain began to conquer the world again.

Classification of Spanish wines

As a member of the European Union, the country strictly monitors the quality of the drinks produced. All Spanish wines are subject to a clear classification approved by law. It is reflected on the label. How can we not get lost in these DOs, Crianza and Viejo? The first thing we need to look for on the bottle label is the Consejo Regulator sign. This is the name of the state organization responsible for the quality of wines.

The type of berry from which the drink is made is of course important. But he does not define the high class of wine. Of the six hundred varieties of vines that are cultivated in Spain, only twenty are used for fermentation. Usually it is Tempranillo (red) or Ayren (white grapes). The high quality of the drink emphasizes the terroir.

The abbreviation DO (denominación de origen) means a specific geographic area where the berries were collected. The best Spanish wines have the title DOC (denominacion de origen calificada) - they have been assigned the appellation of origin. But the most valuable drink (and, accordingly, the most expensive) is Vinos de Pagos. If you see this inscription on the label, know that the berries for the drink were grown in a special vineyard. Therefore, you will have to pay more than usual.

Aging and technology of ordinary wines

The taste of the drink is most directly affected by how long the juice fermented in barrels. As for aging, it is indicated differently for certain wines. Let's start with the most ordinary dining rooms. They are called Vinos de Mesa in Spain and are designated VdM.

Slightly higher rank - "land fault". They are designated by the abbreviations VdlT and VCPRD. The Spanish wines with the title Vinos de Calidad con Indicaciones Geográficas are even better. But none of the above categories have DOs. For them, Spain has its own aging system.

Joven is a young wine. Noble spent at least a year and a half in oak barrels. More than two Añejo wine has been aged. And Viejo matured for at least three years.

Aging designation for vintage Spanish wines

For elite drinks starting from DO status, a different classification applies. The Crianza inscription indicates that the wine was matured in 330 liter oak barrels for at least six months. Then it was bottled, but did not go on sale. The total aging of Krianets is two years for red and one and a half for white wines. Reserva spent a year in barrels, and two in basements. The highest quality is Gran Reserva. Spanish fortified wine marked with this sign has been aged in barrels for at least eighteen years.

For white and rosé drinks, the Gran Reserva period has been slightly reduced. They must spend at least six months in barrels, after which they must mature in bottles for another four years. Sometimes the exact aging time is indicated on the label. So, the inscription 3'Ano means that the wine was bottled after three years in barrels. Spanish champagne (we will talk about it a little later) qualifies as "Grand Reserva" or "Premium". You will have to pay at least 10 euros for a bottle.

How Spanish wines are served

Not a single meal is complete without this drink. The aperitif is usually served with cava (a Spanish sparkling wine originally from Catalonia) or sherry. Then, with the famous tapas (appetizers) they drink the Sangria cocktail or dry white, rosé and semi-sweet wines.

Particular attention should be paid to the accompaniment of the main meal. White wine goes with fish and seafood. It can be replaced with kava brut. Light red wine is served with poultry and white meat. It can be dry or demi seco. Aged red wine is ideally combined with lamb and beef. What should you apply for a digestif? The Spaniards, by the way, do not shy away from imported dessert and liqueur drinks. In an exclusively male company, you can serve brandy "under the curtain". But if the ladies are visiting, the choice is a foregone conclusion - "Sweet Malaga".

Sugar content of wines

She, like the strength of the drink, is also indicated on the label. But if the figure that determines the number of grams of sugar in one hundred milliliters of wine does not tell you anything, look at the corresponding inscription. "Seko" (seco) means dry. The rest is simple. "Demi Seco" - semi-dry. Accordingly, the demi dulce sign denotes semi-sweet Spanish wines. They are usually pink. Sweet wines from Malaga are especially appreciated. They are indicated by the inscription dulce. The following meanings are used for champagne wines and the famous cava: "brut nature" - very dry. In its manufacture, unsweetened grapes are used, sugar is not added. "Shoko" means simply dry. Semi-sweet and dessert varieties are rare in the country.

Kava

This sparkling Spanish white wine deserves a special mention. It is produced in just a few regions - in the provinces of Terragona and Barcelona, \u200b\u200bwithin the boundaries of the ancient historical region of Penedès. If you want to buy exactly cava, do not buy into the names gran vas, espumoso natural, and even more so gasificado. This is noted in numerous reviews. Cava was invented in 1872 after José Raventos' visit to Champagne. However, the raw material for the Catalan drink is local varieties that differ in character. These are Parellada, Charllo, Macabeo. Sometimes classic French varieties for champagne are added to this blend - "Chardonnay", "Sauvignon Blanc". At Christmas and New Years, no Spanish family can do without the now traditional cava. The main production center for this Catalan champagne is located in Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. The cost of one bottle is 20-25 euros.

Spanish wines: names

When buying an alcoholic drink from the Iberian Peninsula, be sure: you will not go wrong, even if you choose Vinos de Mesa "hoven" (young). But still the Spanish dry red wine is the leader in popularity. The raw material for it is usually the Tempranillo variety or a blend with its participation. The main wine-growing regions where these drinks are produced are Rioja, as well as Ribera del Duero.

The most famous are 200 Monges Gran Reserva, Bilbainas la Vicalanda Reserva and Marqués de Murrieta Reserva. The price per bottle from the manufacturer does not fall below 20 euros. White wines are also produced in Rioja, but the Catalan provinces of Penedès and Ampordão are still considered the undisputed leader in the production of these light dry drinks. We can safely recommend Jean Leon Chardonnay Barrica, Jean Leon Petit Chardonnay and Gramona Gessami.

The famous sherry is produced in the south of Spain. Its secret is berries dried on the vine to the state of raisins, ripening in incomplete barrels under a layer of yeast bacteria. The result is an amazing wine with a strength of no more than 20 degrees. Sherry has its own classification. Fino is light and dry, Oloroso is slightly oily, caramel-nutty, Amontillado is dark amber, Crim is sweet, and finally Palo Cortado is a premium brown wine.

Spanish wines are popular all over the world. Spain ranks third in wine production after France and Italy, but at the same time, Spanish wines have a unique personality: they are more astringent than French ones and stronger than Italian wines. There is no point in arguing which wines are better - all are good in their own way. The wines of Spain are so varied that it will not be difficult to choose something for every taste. You don't have to be a professional and know all the subtleties to feel how good they are. It is enough to discard prejudices and start enjoying wine. After all, good wine in Spain can be bought even in an ordinary supermarket and very cheaply. However, the choice is so huge that it is difficult to choose right away, what wine to buy in Spain... In this article I will tell you what to look for and what wines to buy in a typical Spanish supermarket. These tips are more suitable for beginners, but wine connoisseurs will also be interested in knowing where to go and where to taste the best wines in Spain.

I must say right away that I love wine and often get carried away in conversations about wine. Therefore, if anything is not clear from this article, then ask, do not hesitate. Don't be afraid of stupid questions! Nobody will reproach you on our forum. Be aware that only ignorant people can begin to "play smart" in a discussion, while others will gladly tell something new or delicately correct it. Here we all learn and share interesting things with each other.

How to drink and where to buy Spanish wine: get rid of prejudices!

To really taste Spanish wines and learn to understand the taste, it is very important to get rid of stereotypes and learn a little about the culture of wine drinking. I will not bore you with professional rules, but I will tell you about the most common mistakes that everyone who first tastes good wine makes.

“… The wines were served thin and expensive, not of those sherry pomaderians that the hospitable and greedy for colorful labels province loves so much, but real, seasoned…” AI Kuprin

5 misconceptions that prevent you from tasting good wine:

1. A good wine cannot cost less than 20 euros, and for 1 euro it is not wine at all.
   This is the most common misconception and all beginners repeat it like a mantra. Forget it! I don't know who is imposing this stereotype, but it prevents many from starting a long and successful "love affair with wine." First, even for less than a euro in Spain you can buy real wine - it will be very simple, but real. Not some “wine drink” or an incomprehensible sultyga, but real wine. Yes, it happens that wine in Spain is cheaper than water, that's a fact :)
   Secondly, excellent wine can be bought in the range of 5-10 euros, not only in Spain, but also in Italy or France. Moreover, while your receptors are not trained, try wine in this particular price category, and only then switch to more expensive ones, otherwise you will not notice the difference.
2. Wine should be bought only in specialized stores.
   Not necessary! Spanish supermarkets sell quite good inexpensive wine. There is an excellent selection of wines under 10 euros. And when you want more, then ... below I'll write where to look. But first, do not hesitate and feel free to buy. Even true pros do not hesitate to occasionally buy wine in a supermarket, if you hear something else - this is “show-off”. The only thing that is not worth buying in the supermarket is expensive wines (I will explain below).
3. Tried Spanish wine in Russia, even expensive - it's bad.
   I cannot explain this phenomenon, but what is sold in Russia under the same label as in Spain is a completely different drink and often not wine at all. Moreover, in Moscow and large cities you can still find real Spanish wines, but in the regions ... No comment. If you are in Spain, buy wine boldly anywhere! And don't compare with your Russian experience. Just start over.
   
4. Dry wine tasteless
   For those who are accustomed to drinking Russian “white semi-sweet” or “sherry pomaderiste”, it will be difficult to taste any good wine from the first sip. You need to train your receptors! I'm not kidding. To make it clearer what this is about, I will give an example of the inhabitants of Thailand. Not all Thais, but those who love very spicy food - their receptors are trained in such a way that they can eat very spicy food without tears, but do not feel the taste of ordinary food, it seems to them absolutely bland and they add spices even to ice cream and fruits ... Those who have been to Thailand probably wondered more than once when. It's much the same with wine. But fortunately, those whose receptors are not killed by spicy food or regular alcohol consumption can begin to taste real wine. You just need to practice.
5. True Spanish wines are never sweet or semi-sweet.
   There are. For example, Freixenet sweet white wines. Look for the word “dulce” on the label.
   To buy semi-sweet white wine in Spain, the label must contain the word “semidulce” (semi-sweet).

Many newcomers, having arrived in Spain for the first time, begin to look for the usual categories: semi-dry wines of Spain, white semi-sweet wine or red dry, semi-sweet red. I would like to point out right away that even semisweet wines in Spain differ greatly in taste from those sold in Russia. In Spain, you will not find strange drinks made of alcohol and syrup, and no one here calls sparkling wines Spanish champagne, although they are produced according to the classic French technology. In Spain, only real wines are sold and quality is strictly monitored, and sparkling wines are called "cava" (on the label - cava). Therefore, immediately forget about “dry” and “sweet” terms, and start choosing the right wine: by region, harvest year, grape variety - so you will discover many new taste sensations! However, there are no rules without exceptions - the sweetness and dryness of the drink are usually indicated on the labels of sparkling wines.

How to choose Spanish wine, where to buy and how to drink

The easiest way is to buy wine at the supermarket. Anyone. The largest selection is El Corte Inglés or Carrefour. I like buying wine at Carrefour more, but it's a matter of taste. You can find a wide variety of wines in supermarkets: red, white, rosé, sherry and even blue. Local supermarkets (for example, Alimerka in northern Spain) often sell local wines that are not delivered to large stores.

The taste of the wine depends on the harvest year. It is not at all necessary that the older the better. To make it easier to choose, wines in large supermarkets are divided by region and signs are posted on which wine is better to buy this year:

At the top of the table is the harvest year, on the left are the wine regions.
Legend: E - excellent, MB - very good, B - good, R - usually.

Photo: table of wine harvests in the supermarket "El Corte Ingles" "

Supermarket wine doesn't need to be decanted. It makes no sense. If there is sediment in the bottle, then you can pour it into a regular jug, and to remove excess alcohol, just twist it in a glass.

When is the best time to drink wine? During the day - white or rosé wine, in the evening - red. But this is not true. It's just that red wine in the heat has a completely different taste and seems heavy, while white wine, on the contrary, refreshes. In cold weather, even during the day, red is better. On the other hand, the taste of wine depends not only on the weather, but also on the mood and many other conditions.

The wine does not need to be strongly frozen, otherwise the taste of supercooled wine is badly felt. The wine is cooled only slightly so that it does not seem sour. Usually wine is placed in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. The better the wine, the less it needs to be chilled. Only sparkling wines are recommended to be served cold 7-10 ° C and kept in an ice bucket.

What should you feel while tasting wine? To understand how to taste wine properly, see video - you will find a lot of similar videos, choose which one you like. Give it a try and then start experimenting to get a feel for how "wine speaks." This is why many people prefer wine to all other drinks! Wine is not about getting drunk or even about tasty, but about talking. The better the wine, the more interesting the “conversation”. In order to understand what this is about, you can start with the classics: buy good red wine and cheese. Feel how “wine has a conversation” with you: the taste changes with each glass and becomes completely different when you add cheese to the wine. Change snacks to add variety to the conversation.

Wine is pleasure, not work. Plus, taste is subjective. So don't force yourself to please the tastes of the "experts." You may like very cheap young wines or not like famous expensive ones - don't listen to anyone and just enjoy!

Wine is a pleasure!

Share interesting, but not criticize! A true connoisseur of wine never criticizes tastes, realizing how absurd it is. Only a beginner can say "I don't drink white wines, and rosé is for women only!" - we smile and rejoice for him, because he has so many interesting things to learn.

Plus, tastes change with age. Throughout our life, we learn to get new sensations.

Don't you like “dry” Spanish wines anyway? Don't torture yourself and buy! It is a wine-based drink, sweetish and fruity. It is especially pleasant to drink in hot weather. You won't be able to “talk” with him, but he cheers up :)

What you need to know about Spanish wines: classification and regions

The wines of Spain are different, divided by region, grape variety, vintage and aging. In terms of quality, there is a recognized classification of wines in Spain: on the label you can see the highest quality category of wines - DOCa (Denominacion de Origin Calificada), or less - DO. Only Rioja and Priorat have DOCa status.

DOCa and DO are the highest categories of wines in Spain - buying such wine you can be absolutely sure of the quality. They are always indicated on the label in small print.

Wine regions of Spain on the map:

By aging, Spanish wines are divided as follows:

Joven (Hoven) - young wine of fresh harvest. Used throughout the year.
Roble (Roble) - wine with aging in oak barrels for no more than six months.
Crianza (Crianza) - aging for at least 2 years, of which from 6 months - in oak barrels, then in bottles.
Reserva - not less than 3 years of aging, from 12 months - in oak barrels.
Gran Reserva (Gran Reserva) - wine at least five years old, from 18 months - in oak barrels, then from 42 months in bottles.

Aged Spanish Reserva wines are the most balanced in taste, but not overexposed. In addition, wines can be stored improperly - mainly because of this, they do not like to buy wine in supermarkets. And, if cheap wines are quickly sorted out in mass markets, and poor storage conditions do not have time to influence them, then expensive wines can lie for a long time.

Why do many people like Spanish wines? The most popular grape variety in Spain is Tempranillo. The wines from these grapes are very tannin, sensual and vibrant, like the Spanish flamenco dance. Those who start with Spanish wines find it difficult to understand the more delicate French wines.

Keep in mind that not only dry red wines, but also white Spanish wines are popular.

Wines of Spain, rating

While experience is not enough to use the rating of wines. How?
Don't trust dubious ratings like Vivino - it's just an online community where anyone can leave a review, even someone who has never tasted wine. It is very easy to boost or downgrade the rating there, so amateur wine ratings on such sites are just entertainment or a tool for marketers to create a good image for a bad product. It is impossible to choose really good wine from them.

It is safer to use professional ratings, where wines are evaluated on a 100-point system. Significant wine ratings: Robert Parker rating (RP), Wine Spectator magazine rating (WS). The Spanish Wine Guide Guia Penin de los Vinos is a recognized annual guide. If the wine in these ratings has more than 80 points - there is no doubt about the quality, from 90 - first-class wine!
Wine Enthusiast is convenient for those interested in wine investments.

Spanish wines available in supermarkets. Wine prices in Spain.

The photo shows the price of wine in Spain, in the Consume supermarket

What kind of wine to buy in Spain in a regular supermarket? The most popular wine in Spain is dry red wine from the Rioja region. Moreover, the word "dry" here I am writing rather for general understanding, you will not find this term on the label. All the best Spanish wines, relatively speaking, are dry.
In addition to Rioja, many prefer Priorat, Somontano or Toro wines. Start with these wines and be sure to find something of your own.

Advice from "We Ride-Know"
If you do not know which Spanish wine to buy in a supermarket, remember the three main names of Spanish wine regions - Rioja, Somontano and Priorat - look for bottles with such inscriptions on the counter, in the range of 5-10 euros for these wines in most cases will be good.

Have you already got a taste and want to try something else? DO Valdepeñas can be easily taken from the “second tier” wines. Those who like a bit stronger will love Ribera del Duero wines. The best sparkling wines in Spain are cava from the Penedes region.

Let's see what wines to buy in Spain and how much good Spanish wine costs in supermarkets. I will not describe the "roundness" of tannins, so as not to overload the terms. So, the best wine from the supermarket.

Red wines of Spain

Photo: red wines from Spain, which can be bought in supermarkets

The most delicious Spanish wines are reds. A popular grape variety is tempranillo. Tempranillo wines can be red or rosé. Forget about dry, semi-dry and other strange categories of wines. It is better to choose red wine in Spain according to the regions described above. Here are some inexpensive, great value for money red wines that you can buy in Spain at a regular supermarket: Campo Viejo, Hacienda Lopez de Haro, El Coto, Mayor de Castilla,…

Dry red wine Cune, Rioja, 2014 Grianza
88 points according to Parker's rating

Photo: Price for Rioja “Cune” Red Wine, 2014, Grianza

When you don't know what to choose, take Rokhov's “Cune” - always a great soft taste.
Tempranillo, masuelo, garnacha.

Wines over 5 euros are considered expensive for mass-market wines among ordinary Spaniards. Spaniards usually take wines for every day for 1-3 euros. Of course, this does not apply to the oenophiles.

Red wine Vinas del Vero, Somontano

Photo: red wine Vinas del Vero, Somontano

Red wine "NADIU", Priorat

Photo: wine from Priory "Nadiu"

Viña Albali Reserva, Félix Solís Avantis, Valdepeñas

Photo: red wine Viña Albali (Reserva and Gran Reserva), Spain

Viña Albali Reserva is a cheap but very good wine from the Valdepeñas region. I bought it at the store for 2.99 euros. Gran Reserva costs about 6 euros. Not to be confused with Rioja's Albai.
Perhaps, until 3 euros, I have not yet come across something better than Viña Albali Reserva. A very decent red wine.

Of the more expensive wines in Spanish supermarkets, you will find these:

Spanish wines

Rosé and white wines of Spain

White wines from the Rueda region are considered some of the best in Spain. Catalan Freixénet and Codorniu are popular sparkling wines. In the store, many are drawn to take Freixenet in a beautiful black bottle, but the best choice is the unremarkable Freixenet Carta Nevada semiseco (white semi-dry sparkling wine) or the Freixenet Cordon, brut rosé wine.

Castillo Perelada (87 RP) is a pink sparkling wine that Salvador Dali loved. Now, in honor of the great bodega artist, Perelada is releasing a signature rose wine, Castillo Perelada Dali.

Where to buy the best Spanish wine

For lovers of good wines, I recommend not looking for shops, but taking a ride through the wine-growing regions, arranging an independent enotour - relaxing for a couple of days in a good hotel and trying the best wines of Spain. For example, Priorat, Rioja and Penedès are located very close to Barcelona. Some can even be reached by train.

Wineries in Spain are called Bodegas. Winery tour and tasting costs between 5 and 30 euros per person. Usually the price includes a tasting of three different wines. It is better to sign up for an English-language excursion in advance, by phone or online. Wineries of Spain on the map, as well as sites see in Google.

Tasting Hacienda Lopez de Haro, Rioja

The most convenient way to travel along the wine routes is by car. The places are amazing! There are hotels everywhere, so it is very easy to plan such independent enotours. Just keep in mind that on holidays, hotels must be booked in advance.

October Is the best month to travel the wine routes in Spain. Wine festivals are held and freshly harvested young wine is served everywhere.

Some wineries offer more than just tastings. For example, Muga bodegas offer segway rides through the vineyards, or hot air balloon rides and high altitude tasting.

As you travel through wine regions, enjoy not only nature but also striking Spanish architecture - Spain is famous for its quirky bodegas and "wine" hotels.

The architect of the Ysios winery building was the famous Santiago Calatrava:

Often, the price of a room in a hotel at a winery includes not only breakfast, but also a tour of the winery with a tasting - be sure to check this on check-in so as not to pay twice.

The unique futuristic hotel Marqués de Riscal of the eponymous bodega is located in the Rioja region. The building was designed by the architect Frank Gehry (who also designed the famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao). The Marquis de Riscal is not only one of the finest wineries in Spain, it also serves delicious food - a gourmet paradise. The price already includes a wine tasting and an excursion to the winery.

The Marqués de Riscal - hotel in Rioja

The wineries offer tours in Spanish and English. If you want to speak Russian, you need to book a wine tour in advance from local guides.

Bored with Rioja and Priorat? For connoisseurs of excellent red wine, I recommend going to the province of Alicante - here they make the best Spanish wine Tarima Hill, which occupies the highest positions in the ratings of recent years - the Volver Alicante bodega. These wines are rated at over 90 RP and WS points.

And in Spain, one of the world's best sparkling wines, which successfully competes with French champagne, is produced - Freixenet cava (Freixenet) - located near the small town of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, just 40 minutes from Barcelona.

There is a hostel Sant Sadurní in the city center - a 15-minute walk from the railway station, ideal to stay overnight and have time to taste a lot in the area :) There are very few places to stay here, so everything is busy during the holidays. If you don't have time to book in advance, you will have to return to Barcelona.

True enophiles will love the specialized five-star Cava & Hotel Mastinell, located among the vineyards - they come here specifically to visit a local restaurant with amazing cuisine. The hotel is uncrowded, each room overlooks the vineyards.

For new sensations, go to the Basque Country and taste the wine Txakoli, Gaintza. You can stop right next to the winery in Rural Gaintza on the top of the hill to taste the wine without leaving the vineyards.

What wine to bring from Spain

In airport shops, tourists often buy Torres wines, mainly Sangre de Toro. Probably because the label is "Spanish", with a bull. However, it is better to buy wine to your taste in advance, rather than trying to impress your friends. Friends will still not understand why you suddenly switched from “white semi-sweet” to “red dry”, and your enophile friends cannot be hit with “Bull's Blood”.
But if you really want to do something nice for wine lovers, then bring good red wine from Spain, bought at one of the wineries in Spain - believe me, they will appreciate it!

Spain ranks first in the world in terms of grape cultivation area (about 1.08 million hectares), and in terms of wine production it is second only to France and Italy. Over the millennia of its winemaking history, the country has presented the world with the iconic red rioja, the legendary sparkling cava, the famous fortified sherry and other exceptional wines.

History of Spanish winemaking

The first traces of winemaking in Spain, according to some historians, appeared several thousand years before our era. With the emergence of the Greek colonies in the Spanish lands, grapes were systematically cultivated. Later, the Romans produced wines in large quantities in Spain and distributed them throughout the Mediterranean. The Arabs who came after practically did not develop winemaking and made wine only for medical purposes.

In the 16th century, Spanish wine began to be sold abroad. At the end of the 18th century, there was a new upsurge in winemaking - during these years such famous wine houses as Osborne and Garvey appeared. In the early 20th century, the growth of the Spanish wine industry was held back by wars.

In the 80s and 90s, another round took place in the wine industry, in particular, in many areas the requirements for the quality of wines increased. Today, Spain produces a variety of wines in character and style from numerous local and international varieties.

Spanish wine classification

There are several wine classifications in the country. According to the main, Spanish wines are divided into the following categories:

• Table (Vino de mesa) - samples from unclassified vineyards, harvest year and grape varieties are not indicated.
• Local (Vino de la tierra) - indicates the crop year, varieties and production area.
• Vintage Denominacion de origen (abbreviated DO) - wines from specific wine-making areas, each of which has its own regulatory council.
• Vintage Denominacion de origen calificada (DOCa) - the highest category of wines, assigned only to the best regions. Currently, only two wine-growing regions have this status - Rioja and Priorat (Catalonia).

In addition to the official classification, there is the Vino de Pago category, which indicates that the wine is made from a single vineyard crop.

In addition, in Spain, wines are categorized by aging:

• Joven (less than 6 months in barrels for whites, pinks, and reds; less than 12 months in bottles for whites and pinks, and less than 18 months in bottles for reds);
• Crianza (at least 6 months in barrels for whites, pinks and reds; at least 12 months in bottles for whites and pinks, and at least 18 months in bottles for reds);
• Reserva (at least 6 months in barrels for whites and pinks and at least one year in barrels for reds; at least 18 months in bottles for whites and pinks and at least 24 months in bottles for reds);
• Gran Reserva (at least six months in barrels for whites and rosés and at least two years in barrels for reds; at least 42 months in bottles for whites and rosés and at least 36 months in bottles for reds).

Rioja

Castile and Leon

This region is characterized by plateaus and a climate with sharp changes in temperature, which provides expressive wines. Several DO wineries are concentrated here. Bierzo produces, among other things, dry red varieties from Menchia grapes, Rueda produces white fruity acidic varieties, Toro is famous for solid red versions, and Ribera del Duero is famous for premium red wines that are capable of long aging.

The main grape varieties are tempranillo, garnacha, cabernet sauvignon, verdejo, mensia, godello, viura, palomino. Iconic brands of the area: Vega Sicilia, Pingus, Emilio Moro, Cepa 21, Marques de Riscal.

Navarre

Navarra is located in the north of Spain, its vineyard area is about 12 thousand hectares. The climate is continental with temperature fluctuations. There are five wine-making zones in the region. Chardonnay is primarily grown in Tierre Estelle. In Valdisarba, options with a subtle fruity taste are obtained, in Baja Montagnier, they are created in the main rose. Riberra Alta is known for its juicy concentrated wines, while Riberra Bach, the southernmost part, produces strong, full-bodied wines.

Main varieties: tempranillo, garnacha, masueglio, graciano, viura, chardonnay. Popular manufacturers in the area: Bodegas Chivite, Bodegas Faustino.

Galicia

The region is located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula and has a temperate climate and fertile soils. Wine producing areas of the region: Rias Baixas, Valdeorras, Monterrey, Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra.

The main white varieties of the region are albariño, loureiro, treischura, red ones - caino, espeiro. Especially highly valued in Galicia are whites from the albariño variety of the Rias Baixas DO subregion. It produces wines, including such well-known households as Bodegas Horacio Gomez Araujo.

Choosing wine

A wine label usually contains information about the grape variety, sugar content, vintage, area where the grapes were grown, and aging. Spanish wine labels may be labeled Joven, Reserva, Crianza or Gran Reserva. These are legally enshrined categories that prescribe clear aging periods. Optional inscriptions include the term Vinas Viejas, which translates as "old vines". Cosecha means vintage and is optional on the label.

The most expensive are the author's Spanish wines from Rioja and Catalonia. Quality terroir specimens at relatively attractive prices can be found in regions such as Castile La Mancha, Galicia, Navarra, Rueda, Toro. There is also a choice of basic rioha from modern farms with a relatively low cost.

The main grape varieties of Spain

Albariño is a white grape variety with aromas of apricots, kiwi, passionfruit in a bouquet.

Verdejo is a white local variety that is common in Rueda. From it are obtained floral-fruity refreshing samples with herbal aromas.

Viura is a white grape used to make sparkling cava and some still wines.

Garnacha is a variety from which world famous wines are produced in Priory. The bouquet contains aromas of strawberries, blackberries, spices.

Graciano is a red variety that produces tannin-rich wines. It has aromas of violet and chocolate.

Masuelo - cultivated in Rioja, it produces powerful wines rich in tannins.

Mencia - common in Bierzo, has a bouquet with hints of raspberry, black currant, herbs and minerals.

Palomino is an Andalusian variety from which almost all sherry varieties are made.

Tempranillo is one of the most common autochthonous varieties in Spain. He is characterized by aromas of cherry, strawberry, blackberry. The variety is used in the production of the famous rioja and other red wines.

Glossary

Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine produced in the traditional champagne method from certain local grape varieties. It is made mainly in Catalonia.

Bodega (translated from Spanish - "wine cellar") is a winery in Spain.

Embotellado en origen means on-site bottling.

Rosado is a rosé wine made from red grapes. The most famous Spanish roses are made in Navarra from the garnacha variety by decanting the juice after a short contact with the pulp.

Tinto is a Spanish term meaning "red wine".

Spanish wines cannot be ignored, as Spain is the third world wine-making power. The ancient Romans and Carthaginians began to make Spanish wine, and it was almost five thousand years ago. Winegrowers of our time preserve centuries-old traditions - often Spanish wine is aged for a long time in oak barrels. Matured in oak barrels and white spanish wine, and red. The most common spanish wine - red, the basis for which are the grape varieties Tempranillo, Garnacha (French Grenache), Monastrell. White spanish grape wine made from the grape varieties Garnacha Blanca, Malvasio, Macabeo. In total, about 90 grape varieties are cultivated in Spain.

There are several regions where high quality wines of Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Valencia, Catalonia, La Mancha, Navarra, Valdepianz, Penedès. Each of them is divided into sub-regions, and it must be said that even within the same province, wine can be very different.

Classification of Spanish wines was cleaned up in 1970. The system then approved is still in use today. So, Spanish wines are divided into:
Vino de Mesa - table wines made from several grape varieties, similar to the French Vin de Table and Italian Vino da Tavola;
Vino de la tierra - local wines. The label contains information about the manufacturer, the grape, and the harvest year; similar to Vin de Pays in France and IGT in Italy.
Denominacion de Origen (DO) - This category includes vintage Spanish wines controlled by origin. Each wine region has a Council that monitors compliance with the technology of growing grapes and wine production. Bottles of DO wine must bear the Council stamp. Analogue of French AOC and Italian DOC wines.
Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOC) - the best Spanish wines produced in prestigious estates. Today, the best Spanish wine worthy of the DOC mark is produced only in Rioja, Priorat and the Ribera del Duero region.

Spanish wine classification depending on the exposure, it exists in Rioja and looks like this:
Joven (or sin crianza) - young, un aged Spanish wine;
Crianza - Aged Spanish wine for reds, the aging period is at least 2 years, for whites and rosés - at least 1 year, and this category is characterized by six months aging in oak barrels;
Reserva - aging for reds at least 3 years, for whites and pinks at least 2 years;
Gran Reserva - the best wines of Spain, red varieties are matured for 5 or more years, white ones - 4 years. In all cases, aged Spanish wines spend at least six months in oak barrels, which gives the wine a special taste.

If you want to buy good spanish wines, buy they can be found in our store. There are wines of various categories and aging times, both elite and democratic wines. Spain supplies a huge range of wines to international markets, so everyone can choose a wine according to their taste and price range. Using the site service is the easiest way buy wine. Spain and its wines are at the top of the world wine rankings, so don't miss out on the best examples of local winemaking. You can also purchase excellent