Whether you prefer a classic or modern red, you can find all of the varieties in Spain, the country with more acres of vineyard than any other wine producing nation.
From the rolling hills of Rioja up to the high plains of Ribera del Duero, down to the coastal estuaries of Rías Baixas in Galicia, the Basque Country, the island of Mallorca and beyond, Spain offers something for every palate. It’s a top source for world-class wines made from many grapes—some familiar, others obscure.
Traditional Stalwarts
Nowhere in Spain produces wines more classic in style than Rioja, where the Tempranillo grape rules.
Old vines abound here in the country’s most highly regarded and best-known wine region, especially in the subzones of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa.
It’s mostly in these older vineyards, which are planted almost exclusively to Tempranillo, that the country’s most structured and age worthy reds originate. Garnacha can also be found here.
Rioja’s made in a traditional style usually fall into the established reserva or gran reserva categories, which spell out the minimum number of years that a wine must spend in barrel and bottle before release.
While these requirements don’t guarantee final composition, structure, balance, ageability, or quality, they are good indicators. The best Riojas are frequently gran reservas, which must be aged at least five years and spend at least 24 months in oak prior to release.
Standout Values
Value should be Spain’s middle name. With nearly every part of the country blanketed in vines, there’s no shortage of well-made vino that won’t break the bank.
The next time you're looking for a good quality bottle of red wine, consider choosing one from Spain.
