Spain

Definition - What does Spain mean?

Spain is a huge producer of wine but it is often overlooked by many people. In fact, Spain has the largest area of vineyards in the world. However, given low yields, it is only ranked third in the list of wine producers despite their viticultural area. Spain is most commonly known for its red wines but in the North West region, the Albarino grapes are used to produce aromatic white wines. Rioja is the most famous subregion for Spanish red wine. Navarra is another Spanish subregion, which is well-known for its full bodied red wines.


WineFrog explains Spain

The winemaking abilities of Spain are often overlooked when compared to its neighbor, France. But, Spain also has a rich history of wine. Its widely undervalued fortified wines from Jerez are stunningly unique. Some of the highly prestigious wines which originate from Spain include Alvaro Palacios’ L’Ermita and Vega Silicia’s Unico.

There are diverse varieties of wines that are produced throughout the country. The main wine producing areas can be divided into seven distinct regions. The Northwest “Green” Spain is unlike the rest of Spain where there are lush green valleys, and Albarino is the prized grape variety grown here. This area is known for its aromatic red wines and zesty white wines.

The Mediterranean Coast is mainly known for its sparkling white wine and a highly acclaimed red wine sub-zone, Priorat. Erbo River Valley, Duero River Valley, Central Plateau, Andalucia and The Islands are among the seven grand regions of Spain which are the main producers of wine:

  1. Northwest “Green” Spain
  2. Erbo River Valley
  3. Duero River Valley
  4. Central Plateau
  5. Andalucia
  6. The Islands (Canary Islands)
  7. Mediterranean Coast