Spain is a major producer of wine globally, ranking as the #1 country in area of vine cultivation in the EU and #3 largest producer worldwide. The most common white varietals are Airén, Macabeo, Palomino, and Pedro Ximenez, while the most common reds include Tempranillo, Bobal, Garnacha, and Monastrell. Spanish wines are categorized based on aging requirements and designated origins of production.

1. GETTING TO KNOW
SPANISH WINE
Rick Fisher
Bodega: Adventures in Spanish Food & Wine

2. Spain is the…
#1 country in area of vine cultivation in the
EU (30%) and the world (15%)
#2 exporter world-wide (17% of total market) –
60% white (primarily Cava) and 40% red
#3 largest wine producer in the world (behind
France and Italy)

3. Wine Production in Spain
• Castilla-La Mancha (47%)
• Cataluña (10%)
• Rioja (7%)
• Valencia (6.5%)

4. Most Common White Varietals
• Airén
• Macabeo (Viura)
• Palomino
• Pedro Ximenez

5. Most Common Red Varietals
• Tempranillo (aka Tinto Fino, Cencibel)
• Bobal
• Garnacha
• Monastrell

6. Spanish Wine Terminology
• Blanco – “White”
• Bodega – “Winery”
• Cosecha – “Harvest” or “Vintage”
• Roble – “Oak”
• Rosado – “Rosé”
• Tinto – “Red”
• VORS – “Very Old Rare Sherry”
• VOS – “Very Old Sherry”

7. Designations of Age (Red Wine)
Designation Time In Barrel Time Before
Release
Joven None 1st year following
Crianza 6 months 24 months
Reserva 12 months 36 months
Gran Reserva 18 months 60 months

8. Spanish Wine Categories
• Table Wines
• Vino de Mesa (“Table Wine”)
• Vino de la Tierra (“Wine from the Country”) – currently 46
• Quality Wines
• DO (“Denomination of Origin”) – currently 68
• DOCa (“Qualified Deonomination of Origin”) – currently 2
• DO Pago (Single vineyard, strict criteria) – currently 11

9. Reading a Spanish Wine Label

10. Spanish Wine Regions
Green Spain
Ebro River
Valley
North Central
Spain Mediterranean
Coast
The Meseta
Islands
Andalucia
Source:
Wines from Spain