The state of the white-wine union in Spain is relatively strong. The country’s best varietal and blended whites have both made their mark amid a sea of more renowned reds. There are dozens of excellent bottlings made from Albariño and Verdejo, to refreshing blends of different varieties.
There are steely wines, leesy wines, oaky wines, and even oxidative wines that all show proper balance through bold acidity matched against compelling flavors of fruit, oak, or both. It’s these selections that are driving Spain’s white-wine scene forward.
The Upshot
Spain is a red-wine country. Tempranillo, the pride of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, is the country’s signature grape, and other red varieties like Garnacha and Bobal are heavily relied upon. Recent studies by the Spanish Federation of Wine report that among Spanish wine drinkers, 88% consume at least some red wine during a given year, while only about 40% drink any white wine.
With more than 3,000 miles of coastline and a thriving fishing and seafood industry, white wine has been a Spanish staple for centuries. However, plantings across this sun-drenched land are more or less evenly split between red and white grapes. The numbers only tilt toward red if the rudimentary Airén variety is removed from the picture. Used primarily for brandy, it accounts for about 40% of total acreage in Spain. This means that in a country that’s home to about 13% of the world’s vineyards, white wine remains vital.
In general, familiar white wines from established regions prove the most reliable. From Rias Baixas which butts up against the Atlantic Ocean in the northwest corner of Spain, Albariño is the top performer. In tastings of 2016 and 2017 bottlings, about 80% of wines reviewed were considered very good to excellent, with scores of 87 points or higher.
The top Spanish white-wine export to the U.S., Albariño, can show dainty aromas of honeysuckle, apple blossom, and sea scents to go with flavors of tropical and citrus fruits, and sometimes creamy lees. Acidity is the key to a good bottling, which makes it ideal for summer sipping or paired with salads and seafood.
Other Best Bets
Northwest of Madrid, is the village of Rueda. It’s Spain’s capital for Verdejo, a wine with aromatics, flavors, and textural characteristics similar to Sauvignon Blanc. Within Spain, Verdejo is the most popular white wine, despite being prone to highly phenolic aromas and flavors of lime, grapefruit, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is the perfect complement to tacos.
And let us not forget Cava, the premier sparkler of Spain. Made with indigenous Spanish grape varieties like Macabeo and Paralleda, Spain uses a quality tier system to Champagne for these sparkling wines that offer exceptional value. With aromas of quince, lime, apple, and almond, Cava is the perfect accompaniment to tapas and paella. Buen provecho!
