Wines of Spain. Wine brands. The best wine of Spain

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Sunny Spain is a country that attracts tourists from all over the world not only for its cultural and architectural attractions. The wines of Spain are a kind of visiting card of the state, which attracts true gourmets of a noble drink and leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

A bit of history

They say that even the oldest person who drinks real Italian wine can live for a very long time. The Spaniards treat this drink with special trepidation, honoring the ancient traditions of its preparation and modern production technologies that allow creating incredibly exquisite blends. The Greeks and Phoenicians traded their wine on the territory of the Iberian Peninsula long before the beginning of our era.

Around this time, the culture of Spanish wine began to form. This drink has become not just an integral element of any festive feast or solemn event - Spanish wines have become an essential component of the entire culture of the country itself. Worth the creditmonastic orders, which have made a significant contribution to the creation of the oldest traditions of Spanish distilleries and unique recipes, which to this day are carefully protected by the state.

Geography of Spanish wines

Today, more than 50,000 different varieties of this noble drink are produced on the Iberian Peninsula alone. But there are still the Balearic and Canary Islands, where the best plantations of vineyards are located. In general, there are about 60 wine-growing regions in the entire country that produce the best wines in Spain.

All products of these regions are classified according to the grape variety, the plantation on which it was grown, as well as the soil and climate of the region. So, for example, Ribera del Duero and Rioja wine (Spain) are recognized as one of the best varieties. Valencia was once the largest supplier of the best grapes to the territory of Eastern Europe and Switzerland. In addition, regions such as Utiel Requena, Aragon, La Mancha, Penedès and many others are widely known to true gourmets.

Worth noting: Unlike most wine-producing countries, Spain is characterized by an uneven climate, mountainous terrain, and is also influenced by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. These factors have a direct impact on the ripening of grapes and their distinctive flavor profiles.

Main classifications of Spanish wines

The wines of Spain are classified according to several criteria. So, for example, depending on the exposure time,noble drinks are divided into:

• Joven is the youngest wine to be harvested this year.
• Crianza (Crianza) - wine that is aged in oak barrels for at least months. As a rule, drinks aged two years fall into this category.
• Reserva (Reserva) - wine aged in oak barrels for at least 12 months. Most often it is a noble drink, the total aging period of which is three years.
• Gran Reserva (Gran Reserva) - the oldest and most noble wine, with a five-year aging period, while it is stored in oak barrels for about two years.

In 1991, Spain adopted the highest category of wines - Denomination de Origen Calificada (DOC). To date, only the wine of Rioja (Spain) is a kind of standard for all the products of this country.

Wine Journey Through Spain

The wine-growing regions of the country deserve a separate guide. Fortunately, this idea has long occurred to local tour operators. Today, many companies offer to make an exciting journey through the best distilleries, in each of which tourists can get acquainted with some cooking traditions, as well as taste the most delicious varieties of this noble drink.

The wines of Spain are a unique combination of ancient traditions and modern technologies that contribute to the creation of the best blends, famous for their exquisite taste on the territory not only of the country itself, but also far beyond its borders.

Rioja is one of the wine-growing regions that produces exclusive, by all standards, wine from a special grape variety (tempranillo). It is here that the best red wines of Spain are produced, as well as noble varieties of white and pink. Cava champagnes deserve special attention, for the manufacture of which a special technology for the production of a French sparkling drink is used.

Tasters of Spanish wines should definitely visit the lands of Castile and Leon, where the amazing drink Vega Sicilia is born, deservedly recognized by true connoisseurs as one of the best varieties of national winemaking. The best white wines in Spain come from Catalonia and Malaga.

Catalan winemaking

Andalusia and Catalonia are the oldest wine-growing regions in Spain, which produce the best varieties of the noble drink, which are popular all over the world. The ancient Romans first mastered the practice of making red wine, then the traditions were continued by the monks, who constantly improved the recipes and production technologies, thereby obtaining the best brands of wines, famous far beyond sunny Spain. It is in the Catalan distilleries that widely known varieties are produced, such as:

• D. O. Penedés (Penedes) - sparkling wines of Spain, which are distinguished by a fresh aroma with characteristic fruity notes. More recently, the production of an exquisite red wine has been mastered, which is characterized by an incredibly velvety taste with pronounced woody shades.
• DOCa. Priorat (Priorat) is the brightest representative of the best brand of wines. Many kilometers of vineyards are located in the province of Tarragona. These are characteristic red wines that have a tart taste, exquisite aroma and the finest aftertaste, which is so appreciated by true gourmets and connoisseurs of a noble drink.
• D. O. Cava (Kava). Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (Barcelona) is the main production site for Catalan Cava, the recipe of which was developed in the Codorniu family distillery. Kava deserves special attention. Spanish sparkling wines have such an exquisite taste and noble aroma thanks to special grape varieties: Pareiyada, Chardonnay, Macabeo and Malvasia. It is worth noting that Cava is a traditional drink served at family dinners at Christmas.

Wines of Navarre

This is one of the most famous wine-growing regions in Spain, made famous by rosé wines. In addition, local winemakers very often used international grape varieties to create exclusive blends, thereby giving the exquisite drink even more versatility and originality. It is worth noting that today in the territory of Navarre, rosé wines are gradually being replaced - they are being replaced by noble drinks of a rich ruby hue.

D. O. Navarra (Navarra) deserves special attention. For production, Chardonnay grape varieties are used, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon. The special taste qualities of Navarre wines are given by climatic features and soil properties, onwhich grow vineyards. The most famous distillery located on the territory of Navarra is Chivite. Some connoisseurs of Spanish wines are sure that the best dry wine is made here.

Spain has unsurpassed conditions for growing the best varieties of grapes, which is why there are so many wine-growing regions on its territory, each of which is distinguished by its own characteristics and technological secrets of making a noble drink.

Wines of Castile

Castile and León is a rather unique wine region in Spain, which, in turn, is distinguished by the production of softer wines compared to Rioja. Winemaking in this region goes back to the distant past, when the territory of the region was one of the few Christian strongholds exempted from the ban on wine production. Today, this is the very place that produces the best, by international standards, red and white table wines, among which it is worth highlighting, first of all, the following:

• D. O. Arribes (Arribes). The vineyards are well located in two provinces: Zamora and Salamanca. For the manufacture of a noble drink, the Malvasia grape variety is most often used, but Spanish Tempranillo is specially brought for red wine. D. O. Arribes is not yet recognized worldwide, but this brand will certainly be appreciated by true connoisseurs and gourmets of the noble drink.
• D. O. Bierzo(Bierzo). The vineyards are located on the northwestern side of the province of León. The special climate - the maximum number of sunny days and the minimum temperature fluctuations - has determined the ideal conditions for the growth of Mencia (a special grape variety from which the fine Bierzo table wines are made, distinguished by their characteristic acidity and delicious structure).
• D. O. Ribera del Duero (Ribera del Duero) - these vineyards are located on the territory of three provinces: Avila, Valladolid and Segovia. The best white wines in Spain are produced here. The hallmark of the region is the unique Verdejo grape variety, which local winemakers have been cultivating for several hundred years. It is this variety that gives noble drinks an exquisite taste, which is distinguished by characteristic grassy notes and a rich aftertaste.

Wines of Andalusia

Andalusia is the birthplace of Spanish sweet wines. The history of winemaking in this region dates back to the first millennium BC. The typical arid climate is not favorable for the growth of vineyards, which are used to make dry wines, which is why local winemakers have developed a special technology for aging wines, which allows the production of aromatic drinks that harmoniously emphasize the taste of the unique dishes of traditional Spanish cuisine.

The hallmarks of Andalusian wine are richness and versatility. The tart taste is effectively complemented by a pleasant and rich aroma, which gradually flows into an amazing aftertaste that hasvelvety notes with characteristic fruity and woody aromas. Only a few D. O.s are officially registered, the most famous being D. O. Jerez-Xérés-Sherry.

A separate history of Spanish distilleries - sherry

In order to feel the extraordinary taste of wine, you should definitely try Spanish sherry, which is a dry white wine with a strength of up to 20%. It is aged in oak barrels, not completely filled, under a film consisting of specific yeast cells. So, in almost every restaurant or cafe in Spain (in particular, Andalusia), visitors will be offered a glass or a bottle of this noble drink. By the way, it should be served chilled in a special glass, which is shaped like a tulip bud. There is one more feature of serving a kind of traditional Spanish drink - a glass with a capacity of up to 100 grams is not completely filled. This is necessary so that the wine can "play" with its taste, aroma and rich aftertaste.

Wine Culture

Spain's semi-sweet wines, varieties of red and white, as well as dry and table brands of grape wines are very popular not only in the country, but also far beyond its borders. Nevertheless, only in Spain this drink is treated with special reverence and respect, because it is no coincidence that many travel companies, in addition to traditional tours, develop a fairly large number of wine travel programs in this country.

Yes,for example, numerous tourists from different parts of the world visit with great pleasure the annual event that takes place at the end of June in one of the largest wine-growing regions - the wine battle in Rioja. This kind of carnival has its own unique features and characteristics - throughout the city, in addition to targets and snipers, a huge number of people dressed in white clothes appear, and various containers with red wine are used as weapons. In addition, in the same Rioja there is the world's largest wine museum - this institution belongs to the well-known distillery Dinastia Vivanco.

Many tourists and fans of colorful Spanish wine visit Castile and Leon with pleasure, which, in turn, are famous for traditional distilleries that produce fine wines according to ancient recipes and technologies.

Of course, all travels in Spain are accompanied by numerous tastings, during which every tourist will be able to taste the best varieties of this noble drink, learn the history of Catalan and Andalusian distilleries, and also get acquainted with some secrets of growing the best grape varieties.

The culture of wine in Spain is felt everywhere. This drink is drunk not only at the festive table or on solemn occasions - it is consumed at dinner or during a siesta, treated with wine to dear guests, and also complement the taste of traditional Spanish dishes. Of course, in every glass of fine white or red wine you can see how the warm rays of the sun gently caress the golden vineyards,which later, thanks to the skill of local winemakers, turn into an exquisite and noble drink, known far beyond the borders of Spain.

Wine Pairing

As you know, not every wine goes well with a certain dish. Moreover, the wrong choice of drink can significantly spoil the taste of the main course or appetizers.

So, red wines go very well with meat. Veal, lamb, pork or beef, as well as spicy sauces and Spanish passion for spices - all this will very harmoniously emphasize a glass of good red wine. In addition, this noble ruby-colored drink will effectively complement traditional Spanish fish dishes.

White wine is more harmonious with light snacks. Desserts, fruit, ice cream, light salads and seafood dishes - dry or semi-sweet white wine will certainly highlight the taste of these delights.