This overview map identifies the top wines produced in each of spain s 15 wine regions. Aug 09, 2019 spains wine intake ranked well behind other wineproducing countries such as france or italy, both at the top of the list with a consumption of approximately 45 liters per person in 2018. Grapes ripen to the levels that winemakers of champagne could only dream of. Cava is the term used by spain to designate their wonderful sparkling wines. The wealth of old vines on limestone soils with cool summer evenings due to the elevation at 1,100m on spains central plateau have shown that there are all the. Spanish wine regions varietals of spain wine of the month. Major spanish wine regions for the production of wine include.
With this guide, we explore perhaps the most dynamic wine producing country in world, spain. Learn all about spanish wine country, region by region. Wine guides for the ultra curious, approach guides take an indepth look at a wine region s grapes, appellations and vintages to help you discover wines that meet your preferences. Duero regions, which are both known for their tempranillo production. The ultimate guide to spanish wine expertise explore. Geography and climate together play a fundamental role in defining spain s many wine styles. In each community, the wines are organized by dos designations of origin which determine where the wine was produced. Perhaps the most alluring region in spain architecturally, andalucia is also a fabulous destination for wine lovers. It has more than 900,000 hectares of vineyards and a wide variety of grapes. Top five spanish wine regions to visit cava country. According to oiv international organisation of vine and wine, spain was the thrid biggest wine producer in the world in 2017 after italy and france. This is particularly evident on the catalan coast, in the priorato highlands, in the rioja area and in the douro port wine region.
There are actually three subregions or unique districts that compose the rioja. Today wine is produced in all 50 us states with vines planted in more than 30 states. A look at a map suggests just how much climatic diversity there is likely to be between spain s many wine regions, from the soggy green vineyards of galicia on the north atlantic coast to the baked mediterranean south east. Spain is a very diverse country so it helps to get a lay of the land. The region produces still wines, as well as many of spain s sparkling wines cava. Although not region, almost all of the bodegas producing cava are in the penedes wine region of spain just south of barcelona. From cool, green galicia and the snowcapped pyrenees in the north, via the parched central plateau, to sandy, sunny andalucia in the south, the spanish. You will not find other wines that have been elaborated by the. Crianza this is a fresh, fruitforward youthful red wine that is aged in oak for a minimum of one year and then spends another year aging in the bottle. On this spanish wine regions map, youll find all the principal wine regions such as valdeorras and rias baixas known for the godello and albarino based whites, rueda famed for its zippy. Learn about the various spain wine regions with wine enthusiast magazines easy to use spain wine guide. Madrid wine region madrid wine region and wines from madrid.
Spain has the biggest vineyard surface in the world. The blend takes its name, like many other wines made in the old world, from the rioja region where it is produced. Grape vines have been grown on the iberian peninsula since at least 3000 b. Ribera del duero spanish wine region this is another major red wine producing region of spain that continues to gain recognition for its vibrant, red wines, made predominately from the tempranillo grape. Spanish wine in figures updated 2017 foods and wines from. Located in northcentral spain near the ebro river, the rioja region is decidedly unique in that it utilizes a number of different classifications that have to do with how. Climate conditions are often warm mediterranean influence. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of spanish culture. Whats surprising, is spain is the 3rd largest producer of wine with the largest land area dedicated to vineyards in the world. Pay a visit to the home of spanish sparkling, and immerse yourself in cava while taking in the mountain scenery and sundrenched beaches.
This paper presents an analysis of the current state of existing. In spain, wines are classified into different wine regions, each with their own set of wine. Rioja is spains bestknown region, where earthy, ageworthy reds are made from tempranillo and garnacha. The fine wine producing regions of sherry jerez and rioja have their own separate guides. Were talking about penedes, an area of catalonia in north east spain its capital sant sadurni danoia is less than an hour by train from barcelona. Wine map of spain the spanish wine regions and vineyards. You can build your own wine tour in spain itinerary. Sadly when it came to wine, this adage rang true throughout much of the 20th century. Wine guides for the ultra curious, approach guides take an indepth look at a wine regions grapes, appellations and vintages to help you discover wines that meet. Vine to bottle has been written by two very experienced wine educators, who have drawn on many years of practical involvement with the wine industry. On this spanish wine regions map, youll find all the principal wine regions such as. History of wine in spain wine production in spain world.
Understanding the wine regions of spain winetraveler. Each of these destinations from jerez to ribera del duero to barcelona and beyond may be vastly different in so many ways, but they all share one thing in common. Map of spain wine regions map of spain, spanish wine, wine. Spain is a fascinating country for wine lovers and features a dazzling array of unique micro climates creating an exciting assortment of wine styles. While most spanish wines are labeled with the region, this wine. Here you will find a guide on different wine regions and wine routes in spain for your interest in travelling and spanish wine. Contrary to the stereotype, spain has an extremely varied climate and you will find lots of smaller. More than 150 color photographs and detailed maps showing the location of all wine regions. Spain is one of the most mountainous countries in europe. Spain as wine consumers grow increasingly adventurous and their tastes become more eclectic, spanish wine sees an opening. The profile of these wines is changing as well from being what was spain s languedoc, producing untold hectoliters of wine to new cellars opening with a focus on quality production. With a production mass of 50,5 millions of hectoliters, a staggering 41% more than in previous years, according to the ministry of agriculture, spanish wine.
With a history dating from the mid1500s, this vineyard became famous after its owner, josep raventos, produced spains first version of sparkling wine. The profile of these wines is changing as well from being what was spains languedoc, producing untold hectoliters of wine to new cellars opening with a focus on quality production. Our spanish wine tours span across the breadth of the country, across every one of the peninsulas finest wine regions. Located on the iberian peninsula, spain has over 1. However, due to harsh climate, old vine age, and past regulatory constraints, spain lags behind france and italy in yields and volume of wine produced.
It doesnt matter if youre working in the wine business or love wine as a hobby and sidepassion, wine maps are an essential way to understand wine. Wine in spain is produced in all of the autonomous communities, and each have their own grape varieties, regulatory councils and specific types of wines. Spain is, along with other mediterranean countries, one of the worlds main producers of wine with a forecast production volume that amounts to 44. The most common slate is the mother rock of the countrys best vineyards. As of 2019, spain has 8 identifiable wine regions under some form of geographical classification 2 docadoq, 68 do, 7 vc, 19 vp, and 42 vt. This overview map identifies the top wines produced in each of spains 15 wine regions. The western mountain ranges are largely composed of metamorphic and crystalline rock. It could be argued that spain is a viticultural miracle. Grape types and varieties brief guide to spanish wine grapes. These terms, found on the label, establish certain quality requisites and protect the wines made in premium regions. When it comes to learning about spanish wine, it is important to get to know the different grape varieties that are grown in spain as well as their geographic distribution. Spain wine regions where do spanish wines come from. Interestingly, in the 90s albarino wines were marketed as the shellfish wine, as the wine s light body, high acidity, and intense minerality transport your taste buds to the ocean.
They have created a work that fits well between the coffee table publications that accompany tv programmes and the specialist books written for viticulturalists and oenologists. Spain is one of the most fascinating wine producing countries in the world with a wide offering of handcrafted wine styles and quaint wine country villages. Spain is a large country geographically and has more acreage under grape cultivation than any other country in the world although many vineyards are lowyielding. Investment and ambition in vineyard and winery are resulting in more and more rich often highly alcoholic spicy reds that are finding increasing favour among international consumers weaned on ripe new world wines. Spain wine regions there are more than 5500 wineries in spain occupying around 1. From the 1960s, a great boom began with the typical spanish wines rioja and sherry, today spain is one of the most dynamic wine countries in the world. Aug 28, 2014 spain is a land of breathtaking landscapes, colorful history and a deep, complex culture in which wine has long played an important role. The importance of wine tourism has acquired in recent years in spain has led the academic literature to present different studies. With a production mass of 50,5 millions of hectoliters, a staggering 41% more than in previous years, according to the ministry of agriculture, spanish wine market observatory.
Ribera del duero is gaining ground with its single varietal tempranillo wines, recognized for their concentration of fruit and opulence. A beginners guide to spanish wine spain is the third largest producer of the wine in the world, behind only france and italy, and is famous for big names such as rioja and ribera del duero. On my one and only visit to spain it was a short day trip and i didnt have a chance to visit any of the wine regions. The wines are classified according to the quality pyramid that regulates all wine made in the european union. Wine tourism in spain goes way beyond wine tasting. The wealth of old vines on limestone soils with cool summer evenings due to the elevation at 1,100m on spain. Somehow, spanish wines continue to fly under the radar. While italy has done a lot to modernize and simplify in recent decades, to the nonenthusiast wine drinker, italian wines outside of the major areas like piedmont and tuscany can still elicit a. Detailed spain wine regions map wine posters wine folly. In 2000, the catalan wine area of priorat became a d. Pdf by far the main focus of contemporary wine tourism research has been in new world regions, while it appears to be under development in much of. Origen of spain, the history of spain, the regions of spain and their individual histories and cultures. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wine, it is now a major player. In the most northwestern part of spain lies galicia with its do regions of, monterrey rias baixas, ribeira sacra, ribeiro and valdeorras, an area which produces a variety of high quality red and white wines.
This map of spain wine regions helps put into context the various kinds of wines that grow throughout the country. Crianza has a reputation for being a perfect partner when it comes to pairing with food give it a whirl with novel spanish commodities like tapas. Spain is the 3rd largest producer of wine in the world and the largest wine country in terms of land dedicated to vineyards. Now in its 28th edition, this is the definitive guide to spanish wine contains information on 11,500 new wines includes a free web code that allows access to the grupo pe n online database on wineseach year our team travels to every wine growing area of spain to. Everything you never wanted to know about spanish wines and a. Explore the spain wine map to reveal the countrys most famous wines. Overall it is 3rd largest in terms of worldwide wine production. The region is situated north of madrid, but south of rioja, smack in the middle of northern spain. The spanish wine scene is incredibly diverse, and an immense number of different wines. Jul 23, 2015 hi suzanne, i wish i could travel to spain for an exciting trek through some of the wine regions. In fact, wine producing has become a real art in spain. When the romans invaded the iberian peninsula they brought the vines with them so we can guess that this was the very beginning of the vine cultivation in madrid region and center spain and also assuming that it did not exist before that period.
In many ways, it makes sense to start a conversation about the top wine regions in spain by mentioning what is often considered to be the top wine region in spain rioja. Key wine regions of spain rioja spanish wine region. The country is the worlds 3rd largest producer after france and italy. There are more than 5500 wineries in spain occupying around 1. Oct 15, 2012 the stars of southern spain by michael schachner among spanish wine regions, it is the northern namesrioja, ribera del duero, toro, bierzo and rias baixas, among othersthat regularly draw. There are comprehensive producer profiles for each wine region, as well as tips on the best wines available and an easytouse glossary of spanish wine terms. The rioja region is certainly the sweetheart region of spanish red wines. The region produces still wines, as well as many of spains sparkling wines cava. You can build your own wine tour in spain itinerary spain has the biggest vineyard surface in the world.
Spain is very proud of its indigenous tempranillo grape because they have been. As of 2019, spain has 8 identifiable wine regions under. Spanish wines are traditionally marketed using regions instead of grape varieties. Spain has been the worlds third largest producer of wine for decades after italy and france and it has more acreage under vine than any other wine producing nation. Rioja is spain s bestknown region, where earthy, ageworthy reds are made from tempranillo and garnacha. Rioja also produces rich, nutty whites from the local viura grape. All you need to know with 1,200,000 hectares, spain has more land under vine than any other country in the world. With so much to choose from, navigating a spanish wine list can be a little tricky if you dont know what to look out for. The vineyards of spain spread accross 967 000 hectares with an appellation system described below. Download pdf penin guide to spanish wine 2018 free.