🍷 Winemaking in Spain: Traditions, History and the Taste of the Sun

🏺 From amphorae to glass: a brief history of Spanish wine

Winemaking in Spain began long before the Roman Empire. Archaeological finds prove that the Phoenicians brought vines to the Iberian Peninsula as early as the 9th century BC. Later, the Romans improved fermentation processes and made Spanish wine a popular export product.

After the era of Muslim rule, wine culture received a new lease of life in the Middle Ages: monks restored vineyards and began to actively develop regional production. Today, Spain is one of the top 3 world leaders in terms of wine production, second only to France and Italy.

📍 The main wine regions of Spain

Spain is a country with a unique wine diversity. There are more than 70 official wine regions (DO - Denominación de Origen) . Here are just a few of the most famous:

🍇Rioja

A famous red wine aged in oak barrels. The standard of elegance.

🍇 Duero River

Deep, rich red wines from the Tempranillo grape variety. Competes with Rioja in prestige.

🍇Priorat

A Catalan region with great terroirs and powerful red wines.

🍇 Rías Baixas

Home of the white Albariño variety. Refreshing, mineral, ideal with seafood.

🍇 Jerez (Sherry)

The center of production of fortified wine - sherry. Unique style, complex taste.

🍇 Iconic grape varieties of Spain

Spain boasts both autochthonous (local) varieties and international ones:

• Tempranillo is the "king" of Spanish winemaking, the basis of the best red wines.
• Garnacha (Grenache) - fruity, warm, with a spicy nature.
• Albariño is a star among whites, ideal for seafood cuisine.
• Verdejo is fresh, herbaceous and ideal for summer aperitifs.
• Monastrell is powerful, with the character of the south of Spain.
• Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel lo are the basis for the production of the famous cava (Spanish sparkling wine).

🍽 What do people drink Spanish wine with?

Spain is a country where food and wine cannot exist without each other . Each region has its own gastronomic pairing:

• Rioja + Lamb on coals
• Albariño + Galician mussels
• Cava + ham and olives
• Ribera del Duero + chorizo and hard cheeses
• Sherry + Anchovy and Tuna Tapas

🍇 Interesting facts about winemaking in Spain

• Spain is number 1 in the world in terms of vineyard area (more than 950,000 hectares!).
• There are more than 4,000 wineries in the country, from micro-producers to global brands.
• The town of Haro hosts an annual wine battle, La Batalla del Vino , where participants splash themselves with wine!
• Cava is produced using the same technology as champagne, but with local varieties.
• Spanish wines have one of the best price/quality ratios in the world.

🧭 Wine tourism on the Costa Blanca and beyond

If you're on the Costa Blanca, you should definitely try the local wines from the Alicante province. They make rich reds from the Monastrell grape and light whites from Moscatel. Many wineries are open for tastings, tours, and dinners in the vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean.

🌞 Spain in a glass

Wine in Spain is not just a drink, but a reflection of its culture, sun, character and traditions. Each glass contains the taste of the land, the passion of the winemaker and the mood of the region. It is the perfect accompaniment to any gastronomic discovery on Spanish soil.

📲 Planning a trip or wine tour?
Contact us and we will suggest the best wineries in the region, organize tastings and select a wine route to suit your taste.