2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
Besides sherry, which has long been one of the symbols of Spain, this sunny country is famous for its excellent red and white wines.
Spain, without any doubt, is the world leader in terms of vineyard area. They occupy 117 million hectares, which is quite a lot. Historically, local wineries have produced complex, aged beverages, often canopy aged in oak barrels.
There are 39 separate wine regions in the country, and two more are located on the islands. And each produces its own unique varieties of wine.
In order not to get confused in this abundance, all categories of Spanish wines are strictly classified and distributed both by region and by the required aging period.
Accepted Categories
In the country, the whole process of wine production, from the time of grape harvest to label designon the bottle, is under state control. The Regulatory Council (Consejo Regulador) in 2003 developed the state law on vineyards and wine, which clearly spells out the properties of each group of wines, ranging from everyday table wines to premium drinks.
According to the regulations, when classifying Spanish wines, 6 types are distinguished:
- Vino de Mesa, inexpensive young wine.
- Vino de la Tierra, wine created in a particular region.
- Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica, VC, a drink with a unique geographical reference.
- Denominacion de Origen, DO, a high quality vintage wine.
- Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOC), wines of a special standard produced in just two regions of Spain.
- Vinos de Pagos (VP), the highest category of fine wines.
Spain's wine grading system is characterized by strict criteria, which makes it possible to achieve really high quality products. Let's try to figure out how wines of different categories differ, and what drinks should be used to start acquaintance with Spanish winemaking.
Homemade wine
The Spaniards themselves are happy to drink local table wines, often made from several varieties of grapes and with a strong flavor bouquet. Before the introduction of the general classification of wines in Spain, such a drink was called Vinos de Pasto: a wicker bottle with it was taken to work by peasants and shepherds to complete their modest meal.
However, this does not mean that Vino de Mesado not try: often blending several varieties gives the wine an unexpected, bright shade. In addition, these drinks are made for local consumption, so they do not contain sulfur dioxide or other popular preservatives.
Sometimes good vintage wines fall into this category that do not meet the strict criteria of DO or Vino de la Tierra in one or more ways.
The main part of table wines is produced in the central and south-eastern regions of the country, where the largest number of vineyards is concentrated. The abundance of material allows even eminent winemakers to experiment with blends, releasing good wines for everyday use.
Local wine
Vino de la Tierra drinks are subject to more stringent requirements: the grape variety, region of production and year of production of the drink must be indicated on the label. It is forbidden to place this data on ordinary table wines so as not to mislead buyers.
In total, 41 territorial regions are registered in the country, where drinks of this variety are produced. Most of these wines have a pronounced local character and unusual taste.
Wine with a unique geographical reference
If the previous varieties can be bottled in any region of the country, then the government imposes additional requirements on this type of Spanish wine. To qualify for the category, all production of the drink, from the place where the varietal grapes are harvested to bottling, must take place in oneregion. This requirement even applies to the wine maturation process.
Vintage wines category DO
The classification of Spanish wines is especially clear in this category: each wine region has its own regulatory council that monitors compliance with all wine production technology.
The grape varieties used to create the drink, production methods (for example, for cava), aging standards - all these characteristics are strictly prescribed for each region and winemakers are required to adhere to these standards.
Before a wine can be rated DO, a drink must have been in the VC category for at least five years and still achieve high commercial performance.
These strict wine classification requirements across Spain help to combat low-quality drinks and maintain the high standards of Spanish winemaking.
DOCa wines
The best wine-growing regions in Spain have been awarded the DOCa status, which means a special process for the production, processing and aging of wines from this region. Unfortunately, there are only two such regions so far: Rioja (Rioja) received its status in 1991, and Priorato (Priority) - in 2001.
The hot and dry climate of Spain does not contribute to the high yield of vineyards, in the Priorat region the average yield of wine per hectare is only 5 hectoliters. And we are talking about the famous grape varieties Garnacha and Carignena, from which the mostworld's finest wines.
According to Spanish wine reviews, the red wine from Priorat has a bright aroma of drunken cherries, licorice and fruits, a balanced taste and a long finish. The most famous wines of the region are strong drinks with a rich tart taste, such as Vinicola del Priorat, Torra Rotllan or Finca de la Planeta del Priorat.
Famous Rioja
For several years this region was the only one in the country whose wines were awarded the DOCa category. For many lovers of this drink, it is Rioja that is the symbol of all winemaking in Spain. And no wonder, because the first vineyards in the Ebro Valley appeared more than two thousand years ago.
Today, Rioja is officially divided into three separate wine regions, each of which is famous for its special vineyards and amazing bouquets of wines:
- Rioja Alta (Rioja Alta), located in the west high on the slopes of the mountains. Summer here is quite hot, there is very little rainfall, the soil is a mixture of clay and limestone. The area produces powerful, high acidity wines ideal for long aging.
- Rioja Alavesa, the smallest area with vineyards of only 12,000 hectares. The climate here is warmer, closer to the Mediterranean, which allows the grapes to gain sweetness. This part of Rioja is famous for its fine young wines with a fresh and clean aroma. This is where you can taste the best white dry wines in Spain.
- And finally, RiojaBaja (Rioja Baja) with its dry warm climate. It is in this region that the famous Tempranillo grape ripens best, from which dense mature wines with a high alcohol content are obtained.
Wines de Pagos (VP)
It is almost impossible to meet a bottle of such wine on free sale, such high requirements are placed on wineries with such a status. Since 2003, only 8 regions have been registered producing drinks of this class: three in Navarre and the rest in Castile.
In Navarra, grapes are grown on unique soils rich in limestone, so they have a special, unique taste. Add to this a pleasant climate - and you get ideal conditions for good wine. Many connoisseurs believe that only in Navarre, in the Chivite winery, you can taste the best rosé wine in the country.
The wines of Spain made in the Castillo are especially soft and fruity. There are many sunny days, enough water and never frosts. Thanks to the unique microclimate in this area, the aromatic Mencia grape variety ripens well, which has become the basis of many fine wines. It is this variety of Cabernet grapes that gives Castilla drinks a delicate aroma and pleasant fruity sourness.
Gradation by exposure time
In addition to the complex classification of Spanish wines by regions and technologies, there is an additional division according to the aging time in woodenbarrels. This classification does not apply to homemade dry wines, which are good in the first couple of years after bottling. They can be poured without aging at all or left to ripen for a short time in a glass container. For such drinks, the term Joven (young) is used, although this characteristic is not at all necessary to be indicated on the label.
Traditionally fine wines are aged in oak barrels of 600 liters, and for the most expensive types of Spanish wines, barrels with a capacity of only 300 liters are used. Depending on the aging technology, fine wines are divided into three categories:
- Crianza. Wines in this category are aged in oak for 24 months (red) and 18 months (white).
- Reserva - at least one year in barrel and approximately 36 months after bottling. The minimum aging period is 3 years.
- Gran Reserva - expensive prestigious wines that are aged for three years in an oak barrel and then "rest" in bottles for 36 months. Wines in this category must be aged for a minimum of 6 years before they go on sale.
For each type of wine, producers determine how much to infuse in oak, and how much - after bottling. Rioja wines spend the most time in wooden barrels, famous for their thickness and oaky flavors.
Choose and enjoy
When buying everyday table wine from Spain, you should focus only on your taste preferences: both white and red young wines are quite good.
But forWith amazing fine wines, it is better to go to sunny Spain, where you can taste real Malaga or aged sherry. When choosing wine, you should carefully study the label, it should indicate the class of the drink and the aging period.
On our photos of Spanish wines you can see exactly where and how the small letters are located on the label, telling about the class of the wine. Although it will be interesting to get acquainted with the drinks of local winemakers while in the country, they are often more interesting than famous wines.
Many liquor stores in Spain have signs listing wines by region and year. By the way, it is not at all necessary that a very aged wine will become a favorite. It is better to focus on drinks of the category Crianza and Reserva, you will be able to feel the taste better.
And remember, wine is meant to be enjoyed and should be enjoyed and experimented with!
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