Spain
With a long tradition of wine-making, Spain produces some of the
meatiest reds you'll find anywhere. Lesser known are its whites,
such as Albarino and Verdejo. Spanish wines go best with Spanish
hearty Spanish and Mediterranean fare such as tapas
With a long tradition of wine-making, Spain produces some of the
meatiest reds you'll find anywhere. Lesser known are its whites,
such as Albarino and Verdejo. Spanish wines go best with Spanish
hearty Spanish and Mediterranean fare such as tapas
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The Greeks brought viticulture to the Iberian Peninsula, what is today Spain and
Portugal, in ancient times. Byt the first century B.C., the region had largely
colonized by the Romans, who called it "Hispania." Hispania became, in
essence, Rome's winery. During the Napoleonic Wars, Britain was cut off from
French wines supplies and increasingly turned to Spain, which it helped to
liberate the country from Napoleon's armies. There has been a an on-again, off-
again wine trade between the two countries ever since, often as a function of
war.
But except for the fortified wine, Sherry (Vino de Jerez in Spanish) most
Spanish wines were little known outside Spain until about 30 years ago, when
the country began opening up after the long, dark years under the Spanish
dictator, Franco.
Today, Spanish wines are becoming widely recognized. Often aged in Spanish,
French or American oak, they are characterized by high alcohol content that
sometimes competes with the fruit. Fans of French and fruit-forward California
sometimes find this a trifle course. I kind of like it, but then when I was young I
used to drink a lot of Sangre de Torro ("Blood of the Bull" -- "the best six dollar
bottle of wine money can buy.")
Popular Spanish red varieties include, Carinena, Garnacha (Grenache),
Tempranillo, and Monestrell, or Mourvèdre. Much less represented are whites,
which include Albarino and Verdejo.
Denominacion de Origen
Spain classifies its wines according to a system called Denominacion de
Origen (DO). Devised in the 1930's, it is a tiered system very similar to that of
France:
Table Wines:
DOC Wines:
Natrually, it can't be that simple. In addition, you'll also often see these
designations on the label especially if the wine comes from Rioja:
Major Regions
Jumilla
Located is Southwest Spain between La Mancha and the Mediterranean sea,
Jumilla enjoys a good grape-growing climate. It was made a DO in 1966 and
since has been producing some remarkable wines. The chief grape is
Monestrell (Mourvèdre) followed by Merlot. Jumilla red tend to be full-bodied
with flavors of black fruit and plums. Refreshing Rosés are also made from
Monestrell here.
Priorat
Located in Catalonia Priorat is considered one of Spain's up-and-comers. The
region is known for its peculiar soil, called llicorella, a blend of a brown slate
and gravel, which lend the wines a unique character. Most of the red wines of
Priorat are made from Garnacha. "Inky" is a word often used to describe these
wines which are often high in alcohol. Carinena (Carignan) is also winely
grown here.
Rias Baixas
Situated just north of the border with Portugal, Rias Baixas is one of Spain's
few white wine regions. Its proximity to the coast brings cool damp weather,
which the grape Albarino appreciates. Rias Baixas wines aromatic, fruity and
full bodied.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero is well known for its red wines, some of the best in Spain.
They're made from a variation of Tempranillo, called Tinto Fino or Tinto del
Pais, though Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sturdy, complex and age-
worthy are descriptors often used.
Rueda
This region used to grow Palomino grapes for making Madeira-type wines
commercially. But then it was discovered that the regions native Verdejo grape
could make fine, crisp white wines. Now they make a lot of this light, refreshing
varietal.
Portugal, in ancient times. Byt the first century B.C., the region had largely
colonized by the Romans, who called it "Hispania." Hispania became, in
essence, Rome's winery. During the Napoleonic Wars, Britain was cut off from
French wines supplies and increasingly turned to Spain, which it helped to
liberate the country from Napoleon's armies. There has been a an on-again, off-
again wine trade between the two countries ever since, often as a function of
war.
But except for the fortified wine, Sherry (Vino de Jerez in Spanish) most
Spanish wines were little known outside Spain until about 30 years ago, when
the country began opening up after the long, dark years under the Spanish
dictator, Franco.
Today, Spanish wines are becoming widely recognized. Often aged in Spanish,
French or American oak, they are characterized by high alcohol content that
sometimes competes with the fruit. Fans of French and fruit-forward California
sometimes find this a trifle course. I kind of like it, but then when I was young I
used to drink a lot of Sangre de Torro ("Blood of the Bull" -- "the best six dollar
bottle of wine money can buy.")
Popular Spanish red varieties include, Carinena, Garnacha (Grenache),
Tempranillo, and Monestrell, or Mourvèdre. Much less represented are whites,
which include Albarino and Verdejo.
Denominacion de Origen
Spain classifies its wines according to a system called Denominacion de
Origen (DO). Devised in the 1930's, it is a tiered system very similar to that of
France:
Table Wines:
- Vino de Mesa: Your basic table wine. Usually labeled with only with the
country of origin, Spain.
Vinos de la Tierra: May be labeled with a regional name along with
"Produce of Spain."
DOC Wines:
- Vino de Calidad Producido en Región Determinada (VCPRD): Indicates
a fair quality regional wine.
Denominación de Origen (DO): Indicates mainstream quality wine.
Denominación de Origen Calificada (DOC) Indicates a wine with an
above average reputation for quality.
Denominación de Pago (DO de Pago): These wines come from
Individual single-estates wineries with a high reputation worldwide.
Natrually, it can't be that simple. In addition, you'll also often see these
designations on the label especially if the wine comes from Rioja:
- Cosecha: Young wines not usually aged in oak.
Crianza: Wines that must age a minimum of two years, of which at least
six months must be in oak.
Reserva: Wines that must age at least three years, one of which must
be in oak, followed by a minimum of two years in the bottle.
Gran Reserva: Wines aged for at least 18 months in oak and at least
three years in the bottle.
Major Regions
Jumilla
Located is Southwest Spain between La Mancha and the Mediterranean sea,
Jumilla enjoys a good grape-growing climate. It was made a DO in 1966 and
since has been producing some remarkable wines. The chief grape is
Monestrell (Mourvèdre) followed by Merlot. Jumilla red tend to be full-bodied
with flavors of black fruit and plums. Refreshing Rosés are also made from
Monestrell here.
Priorat
Located in Catalonia Priorat is considered one of Spain's up-and-comers. The
region is known for its peculiar soil, called llicorella, a blend of a brown slate
and gravel, which lend the wines a unique character. Most of the red wines of
Priorat are made from Garnacha. "Inky" is a word often used to describe these
wines which are often high in alcohol. Carinena (Carignan) is also winely
grown here.
Rias Baixas
Situated just north of the border with Portugal, Rias Baixas is one of Spain's
few white wine regions. Its proximity to the coast brings cool damp weather,
which the grape Albarino appreciates. Rias Baixas wines aromatic, fruity and
full bodied.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero is well known for its red wines, some of the best in Spain.
They're made from a variation of Tempranillo, called Tinto Fino or Tinto del
Pais, though Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sturdy, complex and age-
worthy are descriptors often used.
Rueda
This region used to grow Palomino grapes for making Madeira-type wines
commercially. But then it was discovered that the regions native Verdejo grape
could make fine, crisp white wines. Now they make a lot of this light, refreshing
varietal.
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Fast Facts
- Spain has a four-tiered appellation
system similar to that of France - The country has five major wine-
growing regions and many sub-
regions - Spanish wines are characterized
by high alcohol content - Spain's wines are often aged in
Spanish, French or American oak
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