Discover Spanish wine
Quality, Diversity and a Way of Life
Spain, a country of remarkable contrasts, is one of the most mountainous in Europe –far removed from the stereotypical image of endless sunshine and sandy beaches.
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Spain is a vast vineyard, boasting nearly one million hectares under cultivation –the largest in the world.
Each year, Spain vies for the top spot among the world’s largest wine producers, alternating between first, second, or third place depending on the vintage and the weather across its three main climatic zones: Atlantic, Continental and Mediterranean.
The Story of Spanish Wine
The Spanish wine supply is unique and differentiated and it is essential to work on enhancing its value to ensure the sustainability of the sector. The first step is to know everything it represents, become aware of it, and transform it into a coherent and consistent collective discourse.
Ancient tradition and culture
The first traces of vine growing date back to the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans.
The great diversity of Spain’s vineyards
A distinctive hallmark in the world’s vast wine map.
Economic engine
We contribute 1.9% to the national GDP, generating €20.33 billion in added value.
Employment
We account for 2% of national employment, providing almost 370,000 jobs (part-time).
13% of the world’s surface under vine
Hectares under vine
We are the global leaders in vineyard area.
and 42 PGI
Quality
Found in every autonomous community, the Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications are our signature, reflecting our distinctiveness, craftsmanship, passion for wine, and unwavering commitment to quality.
13% of the world’s surface under vine
Organic hectares
We lead the world in organic vineyards, thanks in large part to favourable weather conditions, which play a key role in the expansion of this type of farming.
wineries
Wineries in Spain
With a high presence of cooperatives (more than 600).
Spanish wine regions
Spain is one of the countries with the greatest variety and quality of wines in the world, and this is due to its wide range of grape varieties and terroirs, which make our wines truly unique.
In addition, Spanish wine also plays a very important role in the economy, both in terms of the economic value it generates and the number of jobs it creates, both directly and indirectly.
We have a wealth of Spanish wine-growing areas that have great potential for wine tourism. DISCOVER THEM!
Atlantic Area
Wines that look out to sea
The Denominations of Origin in this section share two defining traits: the small size of the vineyards and their proximity to the sea. Both provide common characteristics within their diversity.
The Atlantic climate favours longer ripening periods, resulting in wines with greater acidity and freshness and an elegant rather than opulent expression.
The Duero River area
The importance
of a great river.
The Duero, the third longest river on the Iberian Peninsula, boasts a fascinating and varied wine-growing scene. Spanning both banks, it is home to eight Denominations of Origin (DOs) and two Denominations of Origin Pago in Spain.
No other Spanish wine region has changed so profoundly, evolving from rusticity to refinement in such a short time.
The Ebro River Lands
A river route,
a land of wine.
Vineyards have flourished along the Ebro River for over 2,000 years. During the Middle Ages, significant viticultural sites emerged in the Oja and Tirón Valleys, in the upper reaches of the basin (today’s Rioja and Navarra), and further south (modern-day Campo de Borja, Cariñena, and Calatayud).
The course of the Ebro River, which gives Iberia its name, is rich, varied and diverse. A special spot where the Tempranillo and Garnacha varieties meet.
The Pre-Pyrenees and Inland Mediterranean
The meeting of sea
and mountain.
Seven Denominations of Origin in this section share a unique “inland character,” blending the influence of the nearby sea with the dramatic backdrop of northern mountain ranges.
The diversity of wine styles here is shaped not only by climate, soil, and grape varieties but also by the innovative spirit of winemakers in search of a distinguishing mark.
The Mediterranean
Mediterranean flair.
The Mediterranean is more than a sea –it’s a cradle of culture, tradition, and diversity. Four autonomous communities –Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands and Murcia– contribute to this rich winemaking landscape with 13 DOs and four DOs Pago.
Situated along the Mediterranean coastline, these regions benefit from the interplay between land and sea ecosystems, which influence the climate and the grape varieties grown there.
Central System Region
A gateway to the Meseta.
The Meseta, a vast high plateau, is the world’s largest wine-growing region. Known as the backdrop of Cervantes’ Don Quixote, this area produces nearly half of Spain’s total wine output.
While much of the grape harvest, predominantly Airén, is used for white wines, it is the bottled red wines made from Cencibel (Tempranillo) that bring prestige to the region.
The South
A blend of tradition, customs and exceptional products.
In the popular imagination, the ‘south’ is that warm area of long white sandy beaches and picturesque landscapes where tradition, customs and the exceptional products of the sea and the mountains blend together. The seven DOs of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia complete the image of a unique wine-growing south, rooted in centuries of viticulture dating back to the beginnings of vine cultivation.
Fortified wines are mainly found in the south of the peninsula and the different unique styles developed there were influenced by the practical needs of transporting wine by boat in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Canary Islands
Vineyards in the Fortunate Islands.
The Canary Islands, one of the European Union’s outermost regions, is unique in that it has a great diversity of native varieties. It is the only Spanish territory, and one of the few in the world, whose vineyards were not affected by the phylloxera plague.
The poet John Keats mentioned in 1818 the virtues of Canary Island wines in his famous poem Lines on the Mermaid Tavern. Lord Byron and Sir Walter Scott also praised the quality of Sack, as the wine of the Canary Islands was known at the time.
Cava Region
Synonymous with celebration and raising a glass.
Cava’s heart lies in the Penedès region of Catalonia, particularly in the town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, just 50 kilometres from Barcelona. Unlike other DOs, Cava is defined by a production method –the traditional method– rather than a specific geographic origin. Its reach extends to 159 municipalities across Catalonia, Zaragoza, Navarra, Álava, La Rioja, Badajoz, and Valencia.
The different types of cava are classified not only according to the length of time they have been aged, but also according to the amount of sugar they contain, most of which is provided by the dosage. The range includes Extra Brut (0-6 g/l), Brut (0-15 g/l), Extra Dry (12-20 g/l), Dry (17-35 g/l), Semi Dry (35-50 g/l) and Sweet (over 50 g/l).
Ageing classifications
Ageing Categories
Each Denomination of Origin (DO), through their respective Regulatory Boards, sets specific ageing requirements for its wines. These may vary from one DO to another.
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Classification
01
Joven (Young)
Wines from the year of harvest, with no ageing in oak barrels.
02
Roble
Young wines that have spent a maximum of three to 3 to 6 months in oak barrels before being released.
03
Crianza
Red wines must have spent at least 6 months in wooden barrels and a further 18 months in bottle. Rosés and whites must have spent at least 6 months in barrels with an additional 12 months in bottle.
04
Reserva
They must have been aged in barrels for at least 12 months, followed by 24 months in the bottle.
Whites and rosés must be aged for a total of 24 months.
Of these, at least six months must have been in barrels and 18 months in bottles.
05
Gran Reserva
The total ageing period is 5 years for reds. They must have been in barrels for at least 18 months and the remainder in bottle.
White and rosé wines must be aged for a total of 48 months.
Of these, 6 months in barrels and at least 42 months in bottle.
Do you want to learn more about wine?
Tips and Curiosities
Dive deeper into the fascinating world of wine with Mejor con Vino (Better With Wine), a section filled with fun stories, tips, and curious facts to enrich your wine journey.
Wine School
You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy it, but if you’d like to learn more, Escuela de Vino offers a fun and engaging way to deepen your knowledge.
Wine tourism
Wine is a sensory journey that connects you to its roots. What better way to experience it than by exploring the Wine Routes of Spain? Shall we begin the adventure?
