As the world's leading wine producer with roughly 945.000 ha, Spain looks back to a rich history in wine. No wonder we have such an array of different wine styles beginning with Spanish sparkling Cava, over some delicious Spanish white wines from Rías Baixas up to the red wines of Spain such as those from Rioja, Ribera del Duero or Priorat and even offering the legendary Sherry wine from Jerez.

These famous Spanish wine regions only give a glimpse of the huge diversity of wine styles and terroirs that exist in this beautiful country. In this guide, we will dive deep into the Spanish wines that you should not miss.

Must-Know Spanish Wine Regions

Rioja: The Haven of Spanish Tempranillo

Rioja, situated in the north-central part of Spain is probably the most internationally recognized wine region of this country and the grape that is associated with it is Tempranillo, a grape variety that is also known under different synonyms such as Tinta de Toro or Aragonez in Portugal, showing flavors of tobacco and red berries combined with a certain spiciness and offering great potential for oak aging.

In those cases, a delicious vanilla or coconut accent also shapes the grapes' flavor profile. What you will find on the labels of those wines are the following aging classifications:​

Joven: Those wines are most probably without any oak aging or only a tiny amount of oak usage to preserve the fruit flavors.

Crianza: Crianza wines have to be aged at least two years, with a minimum of one year spent in oak.​

Reserva: Reserva wines have to be aged for at least three years, including one year in oak.​

Gran Reserva: Gran Reserva Wines are aged for at least five years, having spent a minimum of two years in oak.​

Ribera del Duero: Bold, Rich, and Age-Worthy

As its name already lets us guess, this wine region is situated along the Duero River. Also, the predominant grape variety is Tempranillo, locally known as Tinto Fino. The wines are generally more dense, robust, and structured, with more focus on dark fruit flavors. Their firm tannins make these wines ideal for cellaring. ​

Priorat: The Wild and Rugged Jewel of Catalonia

Nestled in Catalonia, with a mere 2200ha under vine, Priorat seems rather like a tiny jewel amongst some of the other wine regions of Spain. Old-vine Garnacha (Grenache) and Cariñena (Carignan) are the key varieties here.

If you get the chance to get there, you will be overwhelmed by the steep slopes with the rugged terrain and the rather unique poor slate soils, also known as llicorella. Thanks to those conditions, combined with rather low yields of those old vines, the powerful and complex red wines show mineral qualities. ​

Rías Baixas: The Land of Albariño

Albariño is the grape variety here and has almost become a synonym for this region in the northwest of Galicia. If you are a fan of aromatic, delicate, and youthful wines with hints of citrus, peach and floral notes, this is the choice to go for. Sometimes, you can even find more complex examples with a pronounced minerality and zesty acidity making your mouth watering. ​

Jerez (Sherry): Spain's Iconic Fortified Wine

Situated in Andalusia, Jerez is the epitome of Sherry. The range of this fortified wine style is immense, starting with dry and pale Fino based on the Palomino grape to the richer and sweet Pedro Ximénez. The differences in vinification with the use of the solera system result in an array of final wine styles such as Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Oloroso, and many more, where each palate will find its favorite. ​

Penedès: Spain's Sparkling Wine Capital

Here in this Catalonian region, we are in the heartland of Cava production, Spain's flagship traditional-method sparkling wine. In contrast to Champagne, not Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Pinot Meunier are used for its production, but rather the indigenous grape varieties like Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada contribute to the lovely floral, earthiness, and structure of the sparklings.

Spain's Wine Evolution: Tradition Meets Innovation

Spanish wines enjoy timeless international acclaim. The wine association Grandes Pagos de España (GPE), founded by Carlos Falcó, the Marqués de Griñón, as an initiative, has grown to a total of 34 members and has contributed to a huge amount in promoting single-estate producers dedicated to expressing terroir. Many of the member estates are practicing organic or biodynamic farming, showing a general commitment to quality and sustainability in viticulture. ​

Drinking Out of the Box: Unique Spanish Wines Worth Exploring

Beyond those well-known regions, there is so much more to discover in terms of regions and wine styles, of which we want to highlight a few:​

Txakoli: The Charm of the Basque Country

This grape variety comes from the Basque region. Its white wines are generally on the lighter side, known for their high acidity and fresh, tangy flavors, sometimes even showing hints of effervescence, making the wines a perfect companion for seafood.

Verdil: Valencia's Hidden Gem

This indigenous grape variety is from Valencia and produces rather aromatic white wines with notes of citrus and herbs. It is a unique alternative to the more well-known Spanish whites. ​

Mencía: The Elegant Red of Bierzo & Valdeorras

If you hear Mencía, most of the time Bierzo and Valdeorras as origins come into play. Mencía yields elegant, rather playful red wines with floral hints and red fruit flavors, reflecting the minerality of the slate-rich soils. ​

A Fun Twist: “Kalimotxo” – Spain's Unconventional Wine Cocktail

There is, of course, one side of the Spanish wine culture, and there is another. Here, we must not forget to mention "Kalimotxo" (also spelled "Calimocho"). It is a very popular drink amongst the younger generation, combining Spanish red wine with Coca-Cola, most often poured in equal parts, over ice with a slice of lemon.

The origin of this drink goes back to the 1970s in the Basque region, where it became part of national festivals and gatherings across Spain. As a wine connoisseur, you might be shocked reading this as it might seem unconventional, but in those hot summer months with the high temperature, the cool, sweet, fizzy twist of Coke on traditional red wine makes this a refreshing beverage.​

Spain's wine heritage is vibrant and always up for new surprises, thanks to the innovative spirit of the younger winemaker generation. There is no other country we could think of where tradition and innovation go so close. Whatever you are up to, there's no better time to explore and appreciate the best Spanish wines this country has to offer.

Lotte Gabrovits