Spain has the most hectares of wine plantations in the world, however, it is only the third largest wine producer after France and Italy. This is due to the low yields resulting from fairly infertile soil in many parts of Spain. However, Spain is well known for its red wines due to their high quality, mature and in the most part, surprising affordability. This can be partly attributed to strict regulations regarding wine-making. Spain is also becoming known for its new wine producing regions which make delightful and affordable red wines.
Quality Levels
Spanish red wine is divided into five quality levels. The basic level is Vino de mesa, this is a table wine that is fairly basic yet has a good taste. It has not usually been aged in wood. The next level of Spanish wine is Vino Joven, this wine tends to be from a famous wine-producing region and is aged slightly. Crianza wine is well regarded, to receive this status the wine has to be aged for two years, it should also have been in oak for at least six months. Reserva wine is limited to fine vintage wines and must be aged for at least three years and have spent one of these years in oak. Finally, Gran Reserva is reserved for only the very highest quality vintage wines and must be aged a total of at least five years, at least two of these in oak. The quality level of Spanish wines is shown on the label, as is the wine’s age.
Classic Spanish Red Wines
The classic red wine producing regions of Spain are Ribera Del Duero, Penedés and Rioja. Rioja is the most popular and well-known red wine and 20% of all Spanish wine sold comes from this region alone. The Rioja region lies on the banks of the Ebro river and totals over 55,000 hectares of land. Rioja has an intense colour and a soft, rich flavour with plenty of fruity tones and a smooth velvet texture. It is made from the popular Spanish Tempranillo grape. This is an aromatic, high quality black grape which produces a stunning taste. However, there are other quality wines produced from the Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano grapes. The popularity of Rioja stems from the fact that the price of the wines produced compare extremely favourably with wines of a similar quality from famous old world wines in areas such as France.
The region of Ribera Del Duero is also known for producing some of Spain’s most regarded red wines. The quality is generally of Croamza, Reserva or Gran Reserva status.The climate and soil structure in this region are both ideally suited to wine production. The microclimate differs from other regions of Spain with blazing heat in the day and a quick drop to low temperatures at night. This gives the vines time to rest, and produces a high quality intense taste. Wines from this region also tend to use the Tempranillo grape, which contributes to its fantastic flavour. These wines are considerably more expensive than many others in Spain, however, they are of a consistent quality and a good alternative to Rioja.
The Penedes region is not as well known as Rioja and Ribera del Duero. However, it does produce fine quality wines. Penedes wines tend to give a fruitier taste and have a higher alcohol content making them a popular alternative.
New Wine Producing Regions
There are now many other areas of Spain that produce good quality red wine. These regions tend to combine Spanish wine making traditions with modern techniques. The modern Spanish red wines tend to have a crisp and dry taste and are fruitier and richer than classic Spanish types. The improvement of Spanish wine making is, in part, due to EU investment in new regions. The success of these regions has detracted a share of the attention aware from classics such as Rioja. These wines have attracted the attention of younger customers who wish to diversify the range of wines they drink, they tend to purchase new world wines. They fact that they tend to have catchy names and many sell for less than £5.00 per bottle also helps their popularity with this demographic.
Spanish red wine has in the past been underestimated to some extent. However, it is growing increasingly popular with many wine enthusiasts due to its fruity flavours and smooth texture. Classic wines made in the regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero have a lovely taste and are cheaper than many wines of a comparable quality. New wine producing regions have also produced some fantastic wines with fruity and rich flavours.
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