Spanish wines you have to try
The Spanish character is extroverted and cheerful, and so are their wines. Spanish bodegas pay extra attention to detail, from taking care of the vines, to the winemaking. Throughout Spain, there are different grape varieties, that grow in specific land and climate. In this article, we will present the most popular areas in Spain for winemaking. These areas are the ones that give the Designation of Origin (D.O) of the wine.
In the northeast region of Spain, we find Catalonia. This area has different denominations of origin (D.O); under the influence of the cold wind blowing from the north, from the Pyrenees, we find D.O. Empordà. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the Costa Brava, where Salvador Dalí established his residence and where his museum is located. They produce wines with personality; white wines with salty notes, brought by the sweet Mediterranean winds, delicate rosé wines and strong and very personal red wines. Another D.O in Catalonia is Terra Alta, which produces excellent grenache wines.
On the Mediterranean coast of Spain, a land of fireworks and holidays called Fallas, extremely famous for its fantastic paella, we find the unique wines from D.O. Valencia. The white ones are fruity and fun wines, easy to drink, like the ones from DO Utiel-Requena. In the same province, we find a selection of organic wines.
In the northern part of Spain, we find D.O. Ribera del Duero, the paradise of red wines, with strong tannins, very expressive and character. Also in the north, we find D.O. Rioja, the most famous wine region in Spain. Most of their wine is produced with Tempranillo grapes, which gives the wine the perfect acidity and balance for the production of Reserva wines.
In the northwest part of Spain, we can also find the D.O. Toro, heavy, full-bodied wines that are produced with the Tinta de Toro grape. Close to D.O. Toro, we find the paradise of white wines in D.O. Rueda, with one of the freshest, most aromatic and consumed varieties by young people, Verdejo grapes. Their varieties are fruity and vibrant, fresh, with good structure and an impressive richness of shades, both for smell and taste.
In D.O Rueda you will also be able to taste subtle and extremely fine white wines, from the variety of Sauvignon blanc grapes.
If you are interested in balance, you will be surprised by the harmony between the acidity and alcohol of the white wines from D.O. Rias Baixas, located in the north-west part of Spain. The Albariño grape variety is a local variety from Galicia, a land of fish and seafood par excellence, which go perfectly with this wine.
Another type of wine that is becoming more and more famous is the Pago wines, made of exceptional quality with their own identity.
Spain has a wide variety of wines that take their essence from a territory with specific landscapes, which arouse emotions such as joy. They are wines full of nuances, multicoloured like the Spanish sky, and warm like the temperature of this earth. Wines that deserve a moment of relaxation to be enjoyed and shared, because Spanish wine has something magical that can only be discovered when tasted.
We thank our friend Isabel Zaro ( Sommelier who graduated from UDG University ) for this review of the most famous Spanish wines. These are wines that you must try at some point.
Discover all the mentioned varieties here and many more in our store.
See you next time, wine lovers,
Dis&Dis team
