Exciting and inexpensive Spanish wines to look for
Quick question: Which country has the most acreage planted to the vitis vinifera vines?
Answer: Spain, the world’s 51st largest country in geographic size, is first when it comes to total area planted to the vine.
As of December 2021, the top six countries with the largest vineyard plantings are:
Spain
France
China
Italy
Turkey
United States
Spain has around 60 wine producing regions. Some of the more popular and available wines are from regions such as Bierzo, Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Cariñena, Catalunya, the multi-region Cava, Costers del Segre, Jerez-Xeres, Montsant, Murcia, Navarra, Penedès, Priorat, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Rueda, Somontano, Terra Alta, Toro, and Yecla.
But having the most vineyards doesn’t necessarily translate to the world’s largest producer of wine. Spain is only the third-largest wine producer in the world, due mostly to the infertile soil that stresses the vines and lowers the yield but these conditions make some very tasty wines.
Italy and France are the number 1 and 2 wine producers in the world – one year France, and the next Italy. They’ve been trading places for decades.
Spain has over 400 varieties of wine grapes planted across these regions. In addition to the most sought after like Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay, there are many, many unusual ones.
White grapes
First and foremost is Airén. This low bush vine is very drought resistant and at just over 200,000 hectares, is Spain’s most widely grown white grape. If you’ve ever enjoyed brandy from Spain, you’ve had Airén in distilled form.
The fragrant Albariño is commonly found in Galicia in the region of Rias Baixas in the northwest corner of Spain where the climate is far from our vision of sunny Spain. Here the climate is cooler, and with more rainfall, more humid which suits Albariño.
The low-yielding Godello is primarily produced in Galicia and in Bierzo in Castilla y León. These regions offer cool, wet climates. And much like Albariño, Godello likes that type of climate. It’s a bit like Chardonnay and also tasty with shellfish.
Macabeo, or Viura as you’ll see it referred to in Rioja, is Spain’s fifth most widely planted grape. In Catalunya, Macabeo is one of the three main grapes commonly used in a Cava. Xarel-lo and Parellada are the other usual partners.
Moscatel is a highly aromatic grape variety also known in other regions as Muscat. This grape has hundreds of different varieties. Moscatel is generally the Muscat of Alexandria grape. In Spain, Moscatel is usually vinified sweet and is most commonly grown in Malaga, Alicante, and Valencia and sometimes used in Sherry.
Palomino Fino is a white grape variety which originated in Andalucia and is most closely associated with Jerez where it's the key grape used to make a whole range of wines, mainly fortified sherry.
Pedro Ximénez (PX) is traditionally used in Andalucia, and chiefly the sweet wines of Montilla-Moriles. In fact, some producers in Jerez still routinely import sweet, sticky PX wines from Montilla-Moriles to sweeten Sherry.
Torrontés is the second most widely planted white wine grape in the Galician wine region of Ribeiro, with smaller plantings in Rías Baixas. Torrontés makes very aromatic Spanish white wine. I’m always on the lookout for this wine that reminds me of Sauvignon Blanc.
The thin-skinned Verdejo’s popularity rose considerably in recent years. It’s kinda like Sauvignon Blanc, only brighter. It's mainly grown in Castilla y León and Rueda regions. It pairs well with shellfish or sushi.
Red grapes
Alicante Bouschet is an unusual grape with its red flesh. This late-budding grape ferments out to a very dense, opaque red color. It’s a blending grape and winemakers add for a deeper colored wine.
Bobal is Spain’s 3rd most widely grown wine grape because of its thick skin and resistance to mildew and drought. Traditionally, a blending grape. Try one with beef stew, you’ll be amazed.
Cariñena has many names - Carignan, Mazuelo, Samsó. Once the dominant grape in much of Spain, it was replaced by other more popular varieties. This grape is making a comeback in Priorat, Rioja, and Catalunya. Its tannins and acidity make it a good partner for Tempranillo-based wines.
Garnacha is one of the most widely grown red grapes in the world and Spain's third most popular red grape. From the famous Priorat to the lesser-known Navarra, this grape has become a staple of my cellar. Garnacha plays well with foods that you’d pair with Zinfandel.
Graciano is perhaps best known as "Rioja's third grape" after Tempranillo and Garnacha. It has a very dark-hued skin and gives dark, intense red wines with good acidity and tannin. The name reportedly comes from vineyard workers when offered a bunch, said gracias, no. It brings to the blend a weighty mouthfeel.
Mencía is particularly popular in DOs like Bierzo, Monterrei and Valdeorras in Galicia. Mencía, whether with some oak or not, are fruity, crisp and perfumed. Best with smoked brisket and grilled vegetables.
Monastrell is one of my favorite grapes. Native to Spain, this warm climate variety is known as Mourvèdre in France’s Rhone or Mataro in California. It’s the “M” in GSM blends. Great Monastrell wines from Denominaciones de Origen (DO) of Jumilla and Yecla are well worth the search.
At 203,000 hectares, Tempranillo is Spain’s most widely planted grape vine. It’s found in many wine regions, but predominantly in Ribera del Duero DO and Rioja DOP.
Because of its lower sugar levels and early ripening, Tempranillo is often permitted to be blended with small amounts Graciano, Garnacha or Carignan to give it a more color and character. Tempranillo is temperate in alcohol which makes it relatively delightful to sip on its own or pair with tapas.
Here’s a few heartily recommended Spanish wines:
Freye Vinyes Velles Xarel-lo Chardonnay Penedés DO
Bodegas Luis Gurpegui Muga 2020 Rioja DOC
Montazo Reserva Vinos de Madrid Garnacha
Bodegas Castano Yecla Monastrell
Salud!
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Exciting and inexpensive Spanish wines to look for
