What are Spanish dry wines served for? Main grape varieties

Vineyards cover 1 million hectares of Spanish territory. More than 300 grape varieties are cultivated. This diversity is explained by climatic conditions that differ in the southern and northern regions of the country. Wines of Spain in terms of production are second only to Italy and France.

A Brief History of Spanish Winemaking

Historians and archaeologists are convinced that the oldest vineyards in Spain were located on the southwest coast of Andalusia.

The history of Spanish winemaking began over 3000 years ago. On the territory of today's Spain lived the Phoenicians, who grew grape varieties, from which tart drinks were obtained. During the reign of the Roman Empire, new manufacturing techniques appeared, associated with aging in clay amphoras on the roof, under the influence of open sunlight. The containers were placed next to the pipe, which affected the quality of the flavor.

Spanish wine was distributed through trade channels to different countries of the world.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, barbarians came to the territory of Spain, destroying a large number of wineries. Later there was a conquest by the Arabs, who did not drink alcohol and fermented drinks. The development of winemaking in Spain during this period stopped.

At the end of the XV century. vineyards are being revived, the craft is getting a new round of development.

In the 19th century French technology is being introduced, which has improved the quality of wine products.

In the XX century. hereditary winemaker Miguel Torres raised the industry to a new level. Spanish drinks were distinguished by the presence of sulfur in the product, which negatively affected the taste. The introduction of new techniques solved the problem of oxidation.

The development of the wine industry was of a rapid nature. Today, each province grows its own variety of grapes. The products are aged in wooden oak barrels; special conditions are observed for each variety.

Classification

Vineyard areas, aging, production of wines of different levels are strictly limited, taking into account geographical and technological factors.

Spanish wine classification:

1. Vinos de Mesa (VDM). Table varieties to which the minimum requirements apply. These are the products of unskilled vineyards. This group includes drinks made from several varieties of grapes that do not fall into the category of vintage for other reasons.
2. Vinos de la Tierra (VDT). Local products with the right to indicate geographical origin. Has a higher quality. Wine-growing areas and permitted grape varieties are regulated.
3. Vinos de Calidad con Indicaciones Geográficas. Wine drinks of high quality with an indication of the area of ​​​​origin.
4. Vinos con Denominacion de Origen (DO). These are prestigious wines from regions where the cultivation of grapes and the manufacturing process are controlled by a state body. The label is awarded to products that have maintained consistent quality on the market for more than 5 years.
5. Vinos con Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOCa/DOQ). From the first stages of production, organoleptic and physico-chemical parameters are controlled. This determines the highest quality of drinks. The brands have been recognized for over 10 years. Grape cultivation and production is carried out in the best wine-growing areas.
6. Vinos de Pagos. Pago is an area with different soil and microclimate features. If it is entirely located on the territory of DOCa, it is considered recognized. Vinos de Pagos Calificados, or recognized pago wines, are considered the highest level in the classification.

The levels of the system are regulated by a law issued in 2003. Spanish is the leader among quality vintage varieties.

Features - aging and sugar content

By exposure, only quality products are classified. The Joven designation is ad hoc. It indicates a young drink that has not been aged, or with a short aging period in steel tanks.

General division:

1. Noble. More than 1.5 years of aging.
2. Añejo. At least 2 years old.
3. Viejo. With an exposure of 3 years.

Wines with a geographical indication of high quality are classified:

1. Crianza. Red varieties older than 2 years. White or pink - more than 1.5 years of exposure.
2. Reserve. Red wines have an aging of 3 years, for white and rose - more than 2 years.
3. Gran Reserva. For red wines, the minimum age is 5 years, for others - at least 4 years.

The red, rosé and white wines of Spain differ in their sugar content:

• semidulce (semi-sweet);
• dulce (sweet);
• semiseco (semi-dry);
• seco (dry).

Spaniards prefer dry drinks, so the best Spanish wines contain a minimum amount of sugar.

Designation and marking

Spanish white, red or rosé wine has a label that is the hallmark of the drink. It contains information:

• brand;
• exposure method;
• crop year;
• emblem of the region;
• volume;
• alcohol level;
• color, referred to as blanco, tinto, or rosado (pink may be referred to as rose dry wine);
• the address of the bodego (wine estate).

Espumoso means sparkling wine, Cava is a traditional champagne.

The presence of received awards, medals is also displayed. Expensive branded products may have 2 or 3 labels.

The best wines of Spanish origin

The best Spanish wines are appreciated all over the world. These are the exquisite red varieties of Rioja, the white drinks of Castile and La Mancha, and the sweet ones from Valencia.

Common grape varieties in production are Tempranillo, Garnacha and Carignano. For white drinks, Albranillo, Airen and Moscatel varieties are more commonly used.

Sparkling wine Cava is made using French champagne technology. The official year of birth is 1872, it became widespread after 1880. This species is made from Catalan grape varieties. The full name Champana de Cava means "cellar champagne". It differs in the degree of dryness. Stored for no more than 3 years, so it goes on sale ready for use.

Malaga, a white dessert wine from Andalusia, is another popular drink. It has an unusual range of shades from dark amber to dark chocolate. On the palate there are notes of prunes, confectionery and resinous-balsamic nuances. To make this kind of drink, caramel, raisins and nuts are used. Does not lose aroma and taste during long-term storage.

It is a fortified wine drink. It is predominantly made from white grape varieties. Sometimes found under the name "sherry". Stored for decades without losing its taste. The aroma of the drink is characterized by sharpness, and the taste is distinguished by refreshing almond-nut notes.

Sherry production in Spain is located in Andalusia. The Fino variety is dry. Oloroso refers to dessert drinks. There are other types of sherry, this is a sweet or semi-sweet wine. A popular drink is Pedro Ximénez, brought by tourists from Spain. It is dark in color and has a sweet taste.

Wine drinks of Spain have a tart taste and strength. They are valued for their flavor and rich aroma.

The main tourist routes in Spain include visiting the oldest and largest wineries, wine museums and picturesque vineyards, spread over half the country. There you can also taste the best Spanish wines and learn the secrets of some of their production. Carefully! The Spaniards treat their wine with particular trepidation and are extremely negative towards ignorant tourists who do not know and do not want to know how wines from Rioja differ from wines from Valencia, and where in Spain one should stock up on young fragrant red and old white wine.

We offer you to get acquainted with the information about the wines of Spain in specific wine regions. Open your travel notebook and start writing.

Spanish wines - the cradle of winemaking

On the territory of the state there are more than 1 million hectares of vineyards, where more than 300 different varieties of grapes are cultivated. The reason for the "diversity" of Spanish grape crops is a large number of mountain ranges, a diverse coastline with a humid oceanic climate, dry semi-deserts ... A variety of climatic conditions - from arid in the south and humid in the north - and cause high yields of grape crops in Spain - one of the » countries of Western Europe.

The first vines in southern Spain were planted by the Phoenicians about three thousand years ago. It is today that the Spaniards produce about 4 million liters of wine. And 20 years ago, Spanish wines were not highly rated on the world market. The reason for this was the political situation in the country. The rise of winemaking occurred in the 70s. It was then that Spain became a member of the EU and, in terms of production, approached France and Italy.

In 17 administrative regions of Spain there are more than 60 wine-growing regions in which the local Regulatory Council controls and regulates the grape harvest, production and transportation of wine. We will only touch on the leaders of the wine industry, which give the largest yields of red and white wine.

Rioja

Rioja wines are the most respected Spanish wines in the world. On the territory of the smallest of the autonomous regions, 2,500 growers in 500 wineries annually produce about 3 million hectoliters of wine. Of which 15% are rosé and white wines, and 85% are red.

Rioja wines fall into four categories:

• "Gran Reserva" - this highest category of Rioja wines are aged red wines, which, in total, have been in oak barrels for at least five years. And rose and white wines - at least four.
• "Reserva" - wines of this category are aged on average in barrels for about three years. Dense red with a rich fruit and berry aroma - at least a year. Pink and white - six months.
• "Сrianza" - assigned to wines whose exposure was two years.
• "Joven" - means a wine that has either not been aged in oak barrels, or has been aged, but not longer than the current year.

The most famous producer of Rioja wines can be called the oldest winery Marques de Riscal.

The brightest wines of the Marquis de Riscal:

• dark red wine with ruby ​​hues "Baron de Chirel Reserva"
• full-bodied, well-structured red wine "Gran Reserva 150 Aniversario"
• white wine with crisp acidity "Herederos del Marques de Riscal Sauvignon"

Where is the best place to buy wine in Rioja?

In Rioja, located in the northern part of the country, all conditions for agritourism have been created. When ordering a wine tour to an area whose territory is completely covered with vineyards, the traveler is offered to visit the three largest wine museums in the world, two of which are famous for their light wines in the style of the "Old World". Wine fights (June 29) and the grape harvest festival (September 21) become especially memorable for visitors - at this time you can not only buy worthwhile Spanish wine, but even swim in it!

Catalonia

Being in Spain and not drinking wine from Catalonia (an autonomous association located in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula) is not comme il faut. Wine in Catalonia has a history as ancient and eventful as civilization itself. Catalan winemaking has reached its apogee over the past half century. In the production of wine, they began to use the method of cold fermentation, the complete modernization of bodegas and the planting of "new" varieties in combination with traditional Catalan ones: Tempranillo, Garnacha and Viura.

Legendary DO-regions of Catalonia (look on the wine label):

• Priorato
• Alella
• Montsant
• Penedes

The best wines of Catalonia:

• Priorat DOC, "Les Terrasses" by Velles Vinyes
• Mas Perinet Gotia
• Zemis 2003 red dry – Jean Leon
• Castillo Perelada, "Finca La Garriga", Emporda DO, 2010
• Sparkling wine Recaredo, Intens Rosat Brut Nature Gran Reserva, Cava DO

Where to buy wine in Catalonia?

What wine to bring from Catalonia? While seeing the sights of the largest cultural, industrial and business center of Spain, tourists should visit Penedès, where some of the most famous wine and champagne factories are located. Here, among ancient castles and numerous mountain lakes, the most prestigious Catalan wines with a pronounced character are made. Travelers for little money can participate in tasting and learn a lot of interesting things about grape varieties, harvesting, the champagne process and much more. And for the jaded Roman patricians, bathing in wine is prepared. This may seem like fun to some, but doctors unanimously say that five to ten minutes spent in a bath with young wine improves well-being and rejuvenates the body.

Castilla-La Mancha

The composition of Castile-La Mancha (translated as "dry land"), which is located almost in the center of the country, includes four provinces with more than 480 thousand hectares of vineyards. But despite the highest concentration of vineyards, in this region, producers "with history" can be counted on the fingers. Most of the products produced by local companies are classified as "vino de mesa" and "vino de la tierra" - table and local wines. But it is in this wine-growing region of Spain that about half of the wines of the total volume of the country are produced.

The most worthy wines of the Castile-La Mancha region:

• Elviwines, Clasico, Ribera del Jucar DO
• Arrayan, "Seleccion", Mentrida DO
• Arrayan, Petit Verdot, Mentrida DO
• Estela de Arrayan, Mentrida DO
• "Pago Florentino"

Where is the best place to buy wine in Castile-La Mancha?

Wineries in the area regularly hold "Open Days" when guests are allowed to taste the best wines of Castile-La Mancha at a very reasonable price. Participants are also invited to see the entire process of making young wine - from the first stages to labeling bottles. Wine is a wonderful gastronomic souvenir that tolerates transportation well. Spaniards themselves prefer to buy alcohol in Aquiles Gourmet - in a company store, in the assortment of which there are no fake products. Or in one of the wine bodegas (bodega), for example, in the MARISСAL cellar, which has been delighting the world with its wine for more than 100 years.

Navarra

Vineyards in this Appellation of contrasts stretch from the hot plains of the south to the windy highlands of the north. The climate of Navarra is famous for its hot weather and heavy rainfall in summer, which in the best way affects the grape harvest, from which wines of amazing quality are then made.

In Navarre, oak French barrels are side by side with American oak. Crianza status is given to red wines that have been aged for one year in an expensive barrel and another one in a glass bottle. The energetic wines of the region, labeled as "joven", are aged in barrels for only a couple of months to add oak notes to the rich aroma and taste of the wine.

The most popular wines of Navarra:

• "Ochoa" Rosado de Lagrima
• Vinos de Pago del Senorio de Arinzano
• "Coleccion 125" Reserva, Navarra DO
• Ochoa, Gran Reserva
• Ochoa, Moscatel de Gran Menudo

Where is the best place to buy wine in Navarre?

When traveling around Spain, it is better to start acquaintance with wine traditions and wine itself from the wine bodegas of Navarra - old wine cellars that are used in the country for production and aging. For example, in "Bodegas de Navarra" you can go down directly to the cellars themselves, taste different varieties and buy your favorite wines.

Andalucia

In the southernmost of the autonomous regions, agriculture, namely the production of wine, plays a major role. The world-famous strong wines of Andalusia are obtained by mixing red wines of different vintages and special aging according to the Solera system. In everyday life, the Spaniards in the south do not refuse rosé or white wine, but traditionally prefer sherry wines on holidays. Sherry and Jamon are the treasures of Andalusia. Strong, fragrant wine with a characteristic aftertaste is sweet and dry, light straw and dark amber.

At present, many vintage and table wines are produced in the southern region.

Vintage wines of Andalusia are produced under the names:

• "Montilla-Moriles" DO (get viscous high-quality wines, similar in character to sherry, but excellent in grape varieties);
• "Condado de Huelva" DO (label only white Spanish wines made in the province with the sonorous name Huelva);
• "Malaga" DO (such white dessert wines are produced in the vicinity of the Spanish city of the same name with the addition of a large amount of boiled must);
• "Jerez-Xeres-Sherry y Manzanilla" DO (get sherry wines that are made in a wine-growing region located in the so-called "Jerez Triangle").

The strongest and most substantial wines of Andalusia:

• Fernando de Castilla Fino Jerez-Xerez-Sherry y Manzanilla DO (ABV 15%);
• "Leonor" Palo Cortado, 12 Year Old (ABV 20%);
• Lustau, "San Emilio" Pedro Ximenez Solera Reserva (ABV 17%);
• Williams & Humbert, "Dos Cortados", Solera Especial Palo Cortado 20 years (ABV 19.5%);
• Lustau, Palo Cortado VORS (ABV 21%).

Where is the best place to buy wine in Andalusia?

You can stop for a bite to eat at the Laurel Hotel in the capital to taste excellent Spanish wines there. Or dine at the legendary El Caballo Rojo tavern, enjoying a tasting of typical Andalusian wines. Tourists are also inspired by the Moriles-Montilla wine route specially created for them. It includes wine tastings on the territory of seven towns, each of which boasts its own varieties of red, rose and white wines of amazing aromas and tastes. Also in Andalusia, chestnut and wine fairs are held annually, where residents and guests of the city are shown products that are the pride of Andalusian farmers.

Galicia

Cool and green Galicia is fundamentally different from sunny Andalusia. But therein lies its value. The global demand for the region's finest wines shows that Galicia is famous not only for the beauty of its beaches and magnificent architecture, but also for the taste and aroma of its local wines, which cannot be faked. It's all about the soil and special orographic and climatic conditions. It is always damp here and it is very difficult for grapes to grow. Therefore, the Galicians grow vines in a special way, raising the bunches high above the ground by 2 meters.

The undisputed monopolist of the area is the white Albariño grape. Wine from it is made worthy and diverse. "Albariño" is the best for special events in life and fine Spanish cuisine.

Wine regions of Galicia:

• Valdeorras
• Ribeiro
• Rias Baixas
• Monterrey
• Ribeira Sacra

Fine wines Galicia:

• Adega Eidos, "Veigas de Padrinan" Albarino, Rias Baixas DO;
• Dominio do Bibei, "Lacima", Ribeira Sacra DO;
• Rafael Palacios "Sorte O Soro", Valdeorras DO;
• Martin Codax, "Gallaecia", Albarino;
• Vina Nora, Nora Da Neve, Rias Baixas DO.

What wine to take in Galicia?

More recently, in Galicia, the list of wine routes has been replenished with an interesting excursion - a trip on the Wine Train (Tren de Vino). The train attraction for adults invites fans of Spanish wines to visit the famous wine-growing valleys and vineyards, taste the best wines and get acquainted with historical sights. During the tour of Galicia, travelers can buy Spanish wine and enjoy national cuisine.

Castile and Leon

Bodegas of Castile-Leon vividly demonstrate the gastronomic and cultural heritage of the wine region, its rich historical past. The most "sensual", powerful and vibrant wines in Castile are made in the Ribera del Duero region. This area is the flagship of not only Leonese, but also Spanish winemaking in general.

Wine regions of Castile-Leon with DO status:

• Ribera Del Duero
• Bierzo
• Rueda
• Cigales

The most memorable wines of Castile and León:

• Abadia Retuerta, "Seleccion Especial";
• Mauro, "Vendimia Seleccionada";
• Rodriguez Sanzo, "Vina Sanzo" Verdejo Sobre Lias, Rueda DO;
• Quinta Sardonia, Sardon del Duero;
• "Yllera Dominus", Vino de la Tierra.

Where can you taste wine in Castilla y Leon?

An interesting wine route is called the Castile Wine Road. During the tour, travelers visit six cities in the region, where wineries are always happy to welcome guests. In the bodegas, in a pleasant environment, visitors can enjoy wine tasting while admiring the picturesque view of the vineyards.

Basque Country (Pais Vasco)

The first sprouts of the vines Hondarradi Zuri (white grapes) and Hodarradi Beltza (red grapes) were brought to Pais Vasco by the first pilgrims who came from all over the world to venerate the relics of St. James. Historically, it so happened that in the Basque country they began to make light carbonated white wine - Txakoli (Chakoli). This local wine is perfect for hot summers. Once having heard its smell, it will no longer be possible to confuse it with the aroma of other wines.

Winemaking regions with DO status:

• Chacolí de Álava;
• Txacoli de Guetaria;
• Txacoli de Vizcay.

The freshest red and white wines of the Basque Country are called "Txomin Etxaniz".

Where is the best place to buy wine in Pais Vasco?

Wine "Chakoli" for the Basques, the northern peoples of Spain - an important component of the economy, gastronomy and culture of the region. The Basques are very proud of this alcoholic drink, jealously guarding its recipe from competitors. Wines in the region are best tasted in gastronomic complexes - restaurants located right at the foot of the mountains with amazing views of the Cantabrian Sea: "Azurmendi", "Martin Berasategui" or "Akelarre". In addition to an extensive wine list, Basque cuisine in a modern, progressive interpretation is worth highlighting in establishments of this level.

Valencia

This largest city in Spain is the podium of many attractions, monuments of the era and bodegas. The vines grow on clayey and chalky soils near the Mediterranean Sea. The areas occupied by vineyards in Valencia are simply enormous. Most local wines with rich fruitiness, pronounced minerality and soft tannins are exported. But historically, only a few varieties have DO status.

The best wine regions of Valencia

• Alicante
• Valencia
• Utiel-Requena

The most prestigious wines of Valencia

• Murviedro, "Cueva del Pecado";
• Murviedro, Vega Libre Reserva;
• "Finca Terrarazo", Vina de la Terra El;
• "Quincha Corral", Vina de la Terra E;
• Salvador Poveda Fondillun.

Where to taste wine in Valencia?

You can appreciate all the advantages of Valencian wine, try the oldest varieties from real cellars, and then bring home your favorite specimens on interesting wine tours.

Asturias

The region's geography stretches all the way to the sky. Asturias is a vertical land with mountains, beautiful valleys and huge gorges. The oceanic climate, with abundant rainfall and very cold winters, did not frighten winemakers in Cangas del Narcea, the only municipality of Asturias where wine is produced. In Cangas, varieties are grown that are found only here and are endemic - these are Verdejo Negro, Carraschin, Albarin Negro and Blanco. In order to obtain diverse wines, local grapes are blended with more famous varieties (for example, Merlot or Moscatel).

The most famous wines of Asturias:

• "Corias Guilfa", Monasterio de Corias;
• "Cien Montañas", Vides y Vinos de Asturias.

Where is the best place to buy wine in Asturias?

Asturias is little known for its wines. It was made famous by handmade cheese, cider and beer of its own production. For good wine, travelers most often go to Rioja - there you can not only get gastronomic pleasure from a glass of dry red, but even swim in the pool with the addition of wine.

Extremadura

Extremadura is one of the international masters in the art of winemaking. Wine is part of the culture here, a treasure that requires incredible patience and work. The region has a huge number of famous bodegas, whose wines have 7 medals on the label. Large wine-growing territories belonging to different regions and thousands of winegrowers, since 1999, have been united by the Ribera del Guadiana - a regulatory council.

The most useful dry wines of Extremaduria:

• Vizana Tempranillo, Bodegas Viticultores;
• Luis Gurpegui Muga, "Pintoresco" Blanco;
• "Cayetana Fresh", Bodegas Viticultores;
• "Gladiator", Vina Santa Marina;
• Nadir, Pago de Las Encomiendas.

Where can you drink good wine in Extremadura?

All the nuances of winemaking can be found in the Museum "Ciencias del Vino de Almendralejo". But you can fully immerse yourself in the color of the region only through a personal acquaintance with vineyards and wineries, the owners of which are happy to demonstrate their lands, not forgetting to regale guests with their most successful wines. Therefore, when traveling through Extremadura, tourists should definitely include such wine-growing regions as Tierra de Barros, Montanchez and Ribera Baja in their itinerary.

Murcia

Our tourists, accustomed to the coasts of Andalusia and Valencia, undeservedly deprive the province of Murcia of their attention. Let's briefly explain why. Firstly, it is in Murcia, where there are practically no visitors, that you can observe the real Spain, with your own tastes and preferences. In the provinces, they drink exclusively wines of their own production from the Monastrell red grape variety, eating them with seafood and fish dishes.

Murcia wine regions with D.O.

• Jumilla
• Bullas
• Yecla

The most famous wines of Murcia

• Bodegas Juan Gil, Juan Gil Moscatel, Jumilla D.O.;
• Altos de Luzon, D.O. Jumilla;
• "Don Raffaelo", Lopez Mercies;
• "Lavia", Molina y Lagares de bullas;
• Vela Vallejo, Monastrell.

Where is the best place to buy wine in Murcia?

The time when wine flows like water in Murcia is such unique and unusual holidays as the Funeral of the Sardine, the Fertility Festival and Holy Week. To bring local wine from a trip, it is enough to visit one of the wineries, on the territory of which there is always a store with manufactured products.

Cantabria

Due to the close proximity of Cantabria to the Atlantic Ocean, the region has a very humid mild climate, thanks to which it is literally buried in greenery. Here, among the idyllic landscapes, the most ambitious wineries in Spain work, which, although they did not deserve the recognition of the world, were noticed by wine lovers with their dessert wine "Tostadillo" and "fire water" "Orujo", which is made by distilling the remains of fermented grapes. Among the oldest wineries in the history of Cantabria are the Casona Micaela and Bodegas Vidular wineries. During the year, the region produces about 5 thousand hectoliters of wine, which do not have the status of D.O.

The purest Cantabrian wines:

• "Ribera del Ason";
• "Cantabricus";
• Casona Micaela.

Where is the best place to buy wine in Cantabria?

Of the Spanish wines in the region, the locals prefer white varieties, which are best combined with Cantabrian fish cuisine. White wines can be tasted in the restaurants of Contabria. And take wine sommelier courses and, as a bonus, get a lesson in cooking the most delicious Cantabrian dishes - on the territory of the Bodegas Vidular winery.

Madrid

More than 40 wineries bodegas operate and prosper in Madrid, producing 200 thousand hectares of wine per year, which, given the not very favorable climatic conditions in the region, is more than worthy. The classification of local wines follows the same principle as in Rioja. But in addition, the best products of Madrid winemakers are labeled with the “Denominación de Origen Vinos de Madrid” sign.

The most affordable wines in Madrid:

• "Libro siete las luces", Viñedos de San Martín;
• "Manu", Vinos Jeromín;
• "Dividivo", Ricardo Benito;
• "Felix Martinez", Vinos Jeromín;
• "Licinia", Morata de Tajuna.

Where is the best place to buy wine in the capital of Spain?

Spaniards love to eat with a glass of good wine, so there is no shortage of restaurants in Madrid. Tourists here do not have to run around to find local wines and national food. The capital of Spain has many of the oldest restaurants, taverns and tapas bars, among which La Latina, Viridiana, Botin and Posada de la Villa have gained particular fame.

You can learn everything about the wines of Spain on individual excursions to wineries located a few kilometers from Madrid: Bodegas Pablo Morate, Vinos y Aceites Laguna, El Regajal and many others.

Aragon

In this fabulously beautiful region of Spain with clear lakes, deep gorges, Pyrenean cliffs and emerald plains, the most delicious Garnacha Tinta grape grows. Aragon mainly produces dry red and rosé wines, less often white and dessert wines.

DO Regions in Aragón:

• Campo de Borja
• Calatayud
• Somontano
• carinena

The most colorful wines of Aragon:

• Baltasar Gracian, "Expresion", Calatayud DO;
• "Castillo de Fuendejalon", Bodegas Aragonesas;
• "Mosen Cleto" Crianza, Campo de Borja DO.

Where is the best place to buy wine in Aragon?

The treasures of the region are its largest cities of Zaragoza, Teruel and Huesca. The gastronomy of these places is very peculiar and if you already try real Spanish wine, then only in the best local restaurants, wine boutiques and on the territory of wine bodegas. But do not spend hours looking for the most popular souvenir of Spain - a leather wineskin for wine. Status wines are rarely poured into such fur bags; most often, light table wine is stored there. The best bota de vino are made from the skin of artiodactyls.

Balearic Islands

The seventeenth autonomous region of Spain (an island archipelago of volcanic origin) has its own government, many paradise islands and vineyards located at an altitude of 200 m above sea level. The history and development of five large and many small island formations was influenced by the powerful civilizations of the Carthaginians, Moors and Christians. Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera are considered the best places for a beach holiday. Their flat areas in the depths of the archipelago are used by farms for growing vineyards and agriculture.

Vintage wines of the Balearic Islands with D.O.

• Pla i Llevant
• Binissalem-Mallorka

The sunniest wines of the Balearic archipelago:

• Jose L. Ferrer, "Veritas" Dolc, Binissalem-Mallorca;
• Anima Negra An 2004;
• Jose L. Ferrer, "Manto" Dolc, Binissalem-Mallorca DO.

Where can you taste wines in the Balearic Islands?

The climatic and natural conditions of the largest Balearic Islands contribute to the development of beach tourism. It is here, basking in one of the picturesque bays with azure clear water, that it is most pleasant to taste chilled Spanish wines. On the archipelago, travelers are first of all offered wines of their own production, the prices of which are comparable to the cost of the most famous wines of the mainland. But the luckiest of all are those guests who, upon arrival, end up in the small town of Binissalem, picturesquely surrounded by vineyards. It is here that you can taste the traditional Balearic wine - fragrant red with velvety tannins, which local winemakers have been making for over two thousand years.

Canary Islands

Due to the political situation, the export of the famous Canarian wines "Malvasia" came to naught many years ago. And only today, after a long oblivion, the best local wines (more than 150 brands are produced on the island) are again trying to loudly declare themselves. Half of the regions producing DO wines are located in Tenerife, an island of black volcanic sand that has a mild climate throughout the year.

Wines of the Canary Islands with the status of Denominacion de Origen:

• Valle de Guimar
• Ycoden-Daute-Isora
• Valle de la Orotava
• Abona
• Lansarote
• Tacoronte-Acentejo
• El Hierro
• La Palma
• Gran Canaria

The most enchanting wines of the Canary Islands:

• Bodegas "Monje Tinto Tradicional" Tenerife Canary Islands;
• Crater Listan Negro Tacoronte-Acentejo;
• "Tajinaste tinto traditional", valle de la Orotava.

Where are the best wines from the Canary Islands?

The largest number of wine temptations, long known to the general public of the entire planet, is located in Tenerife. Dry and dessert, they are served here at every step: in cafes and taverns, in snack bars and company stores. But even after trying dozens of varieties, and choosing the most delicious, you still won’t take a lot of wine home - the government of the islands has imposed restrictions on the export of this product. You will have to taste right at the place of rest!

Spain is one of the largest wine-producing countries, ranked third in the world in wine production, behind only France (second place) and Italy (industry leader). On the territory of Spain there are about 1.17 million hectares of vineyards. Despite the fact that the area of ​​​​vineyards is large, the overall productivity of each hectare leaves much to be desired: the fact is that the soils are not as attractive for growing grapes as the soils of Italy. Many unique grape varieties grow in the country, the total number of varieties used exceeds four hundred. At the same time, only 20 varieties account for 80% of all grapes grown, including red varieties Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell; as well as white grape varieties Albariño, Palomino, Airen, Macabeo.

The main Spanish wine regions are Rioja, Ribera del Duero (these regions produce the popular Tempranillo); Valdepenas region - the wine of this region was very fond of Hemingway; the Jerez de la Frontera region, which makes sherry fortified wine; the Rías Baixas region, in the northwest of Galicia, known for its Albariño and Catalan white wines, including Cava wines; also the wine regions of Penedès, Priorat.

Italy ranks ninth in the world in terms of alcohol consumption per person, with the average Italian drinking 21.6 liters of wine per year.

The history of winemaking in Spain is very rich, and a large abundance of native grape varieties played an important role in this. Evidence of Spanish identity is the abundance of ancient grape seeds from the Tertiary period found throughout Spain. Archaeologists tend to believe that grapes were first cultivated in Spain between approximately the 4th and 3rd millennium BC, well before the Phoenicians visited the Spanish peninsula, establishing a trading post here in Cadiz (1100 BC). After the Phoenicians, the peninsula was ruled by Carthage, whose inhabitants also made a significant contribution to the future of Spanish winemaking, in particular, the famous winemaker of antiquity - Mago. Then the Spanish peninsula was conquered by the Romans, who also had a developed culture of winemaking and also left their mark on the history of wine in modern Spain.

From the Romans to the Reconquista

Reference: the reconquista in Spain is a long-term reconquest by Pyrenean Christians (Spaniards and Portuguese) of lands on the Iberian Peninsula, this process began in the first half of the 8th century, and ended only in 1492.

Under Roman rule, wine produced in what is now Spain was widely exported and sold and consumed very successfully within the Roman Empire itself. The vast majority of Spanish wine was produced in the vineyards of Terraconensis (modern Tarragon region) in the north of the peninsula, as well as in Baetia (modern Andalusia region) in the south. During the Roman administration of the peninsula, more Spanish than Italian wine was supplied to Gaul (the main region to which Roman wine was exported). This is proved by numerous amphoras found from Britannia and Limes Germanicus in modern Germany. It is worth noting that people of that time evaluated the quality of Spanish wine in different ways: for example, Pliny the Elder noted the high quality of wine made in the Iberian Peninsula, while Publius Ovid (ancient Roman poet) said that the Spanish wine Saguntum is useful only for to give a woman a drink before coitus.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Spain was invaded by barbarians, including the Visigoths and Sueves, barbaric ancient Germanic tribes. Very little is known about the winemaking of this period, there is evidence that wine was made at the beginning of the 18th century, when the Moors began to conquer the Iberian Peninsula. It is worth noting that the Moors were Muslims, and the Koran forbids Muslims from drinking alcohol. At the same time, the rulers had an ambiguous attitude towards alcohol, and many emirs and caliphs had their own vineyards and drank wine in public. Moreover, wine was included in the lists of items, the production of which was subject to additional taxation.

The Spanish Reconquista revived the traditions of Spanish winemaking. Christians actively planted vineyards and began to export, mainly through the port of Bilbao. Spanish wines began to appear in Bristol, London and Southampton. Judging by such a geographically distant export, the cost of Spanish wines and the demand for them were high, otherwise it would simply not be economically viable.

In 1364, during the reign of Edward III, a maximum price was set for Spanish wines, which began to be valued as highly as the wines from Gascony, and even higher than the wines of La Rochelle. Spanish alcohol was often mixed with other wines from cooler regions (France, Germany) because it was very strong; however, this practice was quickly outlawed by law.

Colonization of the New World

After Christopher Columbus discovered new lands, an active sale of wine began in the new lands. In addition, there were new opportunities for wine production, as open lands (then thought to be India) had a climate suitable for this. The first vines in Novaya Zemlya were Spanish.

At the same time, a church schism began between Rome and England: Henry XVIII, after a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, decided in this way to legalize his divorce. Catherine of Aragon, daughter of the founder of Spain, Ferdinand of Aragon, although she remained in England, relations between the English and Spanish crowns deteriorated day by day. With the advent of the new English church, English merchants began to leave Spain, who were afraid of the Spanish Inquisition. From the region of Malaga, Jerez and Sanlucar de Barrameda, the British left completely.

After the British defeated the Spanish Armada in the Anglo-Spanish War, the size of the Spanish fleet fell sharply. The need to pay indemnities hit the Spanish treasury hard, and the state had no time for wine. In addition, vines brought to the territory of modern Peru, Mexico, Chile and Argentina began to give their first fruits, which were of very good quality. Philip III rightly saw this as a threat to the economy of his country, so he (and many other monks) directly forbade their colonies to grow grapes; however, this rule was not observed by anyone, and it was almost impossible to control it.

From phylloxera to modern times

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the popularity of Spanish wines was not very high, and the technology and production experience lagged far behind those of France. Some varieties and brands were known, in particular, Malaga, Sherry, as well as Rioja wines. This contributed to the fact that the first signs of a technical and industrial revolution had already appeared in Europe, the industrial era was beginning.

However, everything changed in the middle of the 19th century, when an epidemic of phylloxera began in Europe. Phylloxera are small flies that try with grape roots and leaves. Phylloxera has almost completely devastated the vineyards of France, and a sharp shortage of wine in Europe has increased the attendance of Spanish wines. Technologies began to seep into Europe that had previously been used only in Spain, in particular, the use of large oak barrels of 200 liters and the subsequent aging of wine in them.

Phylloxera also reached Spain, but did so quite late. The slow spread of phylloxera in Spain was also facilitated by the fact that the vineyards of the peninsula were located at a considerable distance from each other and became infected extremely slowly. By the time Spain began to panic, there were already means in Europe to fight the epidemic, which immediately began to be applied in Spain itself.

The end of the 19th century was marked for Spanish winemaking by an increased demand for Cava sparkling wine, which began to compete with the products of the French Champagne region. The confrontation between these two products will drag on for almost a century; back in the middle of the 20th century, sparkling wines from Champagne and Cava divided the sparkling wine market almost equally.

In 1923, the first classification system for Spanish wines, the Denominación de Origen, appeared.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Spain's vineyards were almost completely destroyed: thus, the regions of Valencia and Catalonia were badly damaged, which received a big blow. The Second World War completely closed European markets for Spanish wine.

In 1950 winemaking in Spain began to revive. Many now large companies involved in the cultivation of grapes and wine production have appeared. The first Spanish Sauternes and Chablis appeared. In 1960, Sherry wine appeared on the European market, Sherry was soon followed by Riola wine.

After dictator Francisco Franco died in 1975 and the Spanish allegedly began their transition to a "democratic regime", an "open market" appeared and the first private enterprises appeared. In the 70s and 80s of the XX century, wine production began to develop rapidly, in 1986 Spain joined the European Union, which allowed Spanish winemakers to discover new markets. Spain adopted the European experience and began to use international grape varieties. Such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Irrigation was abolished in 1996, allowing winemakers to more effectively control yields. This allowed Spain to significantly improve the quality of wines, both for the domestic market and for export. Today, Spain is the largest player in the wine market, ranked third in wine production, and Spanish wines can be found in almost every country.

Geography of Spain and climate features

The greatest influence on Spanish grapes in terms of geography comes from the large plain in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Several large Spanish rivers pass through the central plain at once and exit in the central part of the peninsula into the ocean and into the sea. These include the Eyuro River, flowing in the east, passing through the Reoja region and several Catalan wine regions; as well as the Duero River, which flows west through the Rebero del Duero region, to the very border with Portugal. In Portugal, this river passes through the Duero Valley, the center of world port wine production. Also, one should not forget about the Tajo River, which passes through the English Channel region, and the Guadalquivir River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean through the Sherry Valley.

The mountain ranges that protect the wine-producing regions from precipitation also have a great influence on the climate. In particular, we are talking about the Cantabrian Mountains, stretching west from the Pyrenees, protecting the Rioja region from precipitation and cold winds from the Bay of Bascay. The Cantabarian years are a kind of tropical shadow that protects the Basque Country (an autonomous community in northern Spain), whose rainfall does not exceed 1500 mm per year. Rioja receives only 460 mm of rain per year.

Toward the center of the Iberian Peninsula, the climate becomes more continental and more extreme. So, in central Spain, the air temperature in summer can reach 40 degrees Celsius, this region is characterized by severe droughts. Some areas are characterized by a sharp deficit of rainfall, they sometimes receive less than 300 mm of precipitation per year. At the same time, rare precipitation falls sharply in the form of torrential downpours, which create the danger of sharp flooding of territories. The winters of these regions are also continental, in some cases the temperature can drop below -20 degrees Celsius. The southeastern part of Spain, in particular around Valencia, the climate is milder and more temperate, moderated by the Mediterranean Sea. The south of Portugal, in parts of the Sherry and Malaga regions, are some of the hottest days in Spain, with temperatures reaching 40-45 degrees Celsius. In order not to damage the grapes with these temperatures, many vineyards are grown on the slopes of the mountains, at an altitude of 500-600 meters above sea level. This arrangement allows the vineyards to experience a large temperature difference from day to night, which makes the grapes specific, but with a good level of acidity and a specific color. Grapes that are grown at higher temperatures (for example, on the Mediterranean coast) have much less acidity, and the wine from such grapes is stronger.

Classification, brands and varieties of Spanish wines

In 1932, the Spanish wine classification system called Denominacion De Origen appeared, which is an analogue of the French Appellation d'origine contrôlée classification system, the Portuguese Denominação de Origem Controlada system and the Italian Denominazione di origine controllata system. In essence, it is a system that protects the names of wines and ensures that the wine was made from the grapes of a specific location. Each DO location has its own Consejo Regulador, which organizes wine inspections and also ensures that all the rules of the DO system are followed. In particular, the type of grapes used and the number of grapes grown, the productivity of each vineyard, the minimum aging period for each variety of Spanish wine, as well as the information displayed on the label, are checked. If a wine producer wants to obtain DO status for their products, then in this case, he sends his wine to the laboratory to Consejo Regulador, who checks the wines for compliance with their standards and, if successful, the logo of the local Consejo Regulador will be applied on the label.

There is also a DOC system, Denominación de Origen Calificada, which guarantees high quality wines. To date, only two wine regions make DOC wines - Riola Rioja and Priorat Priorat.

After Spain became part of the European Union, wine laws in Spain have been modernized somewhat to comply with general European wine laws. A five-level system for the identification and classification of wines was introduced, which is still in effect. Moreover, the management of this classification lies with each autonomous region, and wines from non-autonomous regions are managed by a common body - the Institute of National Development, located in Madrid. So, let's look at all the existing types and classes of Spanish wines, starting with the lowest class.

• Vino De mesa- the general name of table wines. Such wine is made from unknown and unqualified vineyards, as well as those wines that are obtained as a result of blending according to "forbidden rules". It is worth noting that the “forbidden blend” is widely used in Italy to obtain, among other things, the so-called “Super Tuscans”.
• Vino de la Tierra (Vdlt) - this class of wines is similar to the French class vid de pays, it means a wine created on the territory of a certain region of Spain, for example, Andalucia, Castilla La Mancha, Levante.
• Vinos de Calidad con Indicació n Geográ fica- a class of wines similar to the French VDQS class, a mandatory “stepping stone” to obtaining the DO class. A kind of quality mark: a wine that has received the VCIG brand for five consecutive years is eligible to receive the DO status.
• Denominació n de Origen – quality level, basic for all standard regions. DO-Wine is a classic Spanish Wine that has performed well and performed well. A great option to start your acquaintance with Spanish winemaking.
• Denominació n de Origen Calificada- (DOCa/DOQ - Denominació d'Origen Qualificada in Catalan) - this class of Spanish wine is similar to the Italian classification Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, it is a wine that is one step above the DO wine. The DOCa/DOQ class are wines with stable and long-lasting high quality. The DOQ class was first obtained by Rioja wines in 1991. Then, in 2003, Priorat wine Priorat received this class. In 2008, the wine Ribera del Duero passed all the stages to obtain a DOCa, however, certification for a DOCa for this wine was never carried out.
• Vino de Pago is a wine that is produced by individual family houses. In 2013, there were only 15 objects with this status.

The vast majority of Spanish wines belong to the VdlT class.

Spanish wines are often labeled according to their aging. If the label contains the inscription “Vino Joven (Spanish for “young wine”), then this indicates that the wine has no aging in barrels at all, or aging did not exceed several months. It is worth noting that this does not always indicate low quality, many varieties and tops of wines are designed to be drunk at a young age, often within a year after release. Some wines, on the contrary, are able to open more deeply after a little storage in the bottle and in the glass.

For "vintage" years, the year is indicated on the label, while by law at least 85% of the volume of wine in the bottle must correspond to the specified year. The classification is as follows: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva.

List of wines with geographical indication of the autonomous community

The name of the autonomy	Wines with a protected geographical indication
	Vinos de Pago	Denominaciones de Origen Calificada	Denominaciones de Origen	Vinos de Calidad	Vinos de la Tierra
Andalucía (Andalusia)			Condado de Huelva note 1 Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Malaga Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda Montilla Moriles Sierras de Malaga	Granada Lebrija	Altiplano de Sierra Nevada Bailen Cadiz Cordoba Cumbres del Guadalfeo Desierto de Almeria Laderas del Genil Laujar-Alpujarra Los Palacios Norte de Almeria Ribera del Andarax Sierra Norte de Sevilla Sierra Sur de Jaen Sierras de Las Estancias and Los Filabres Torreperogil Villaviciosa de Cordoba
Aragon (Aragon)	Ayles		Calatayud Campo de Borja Carinena Somontano Cava nota 2		Bajo Aragon Ribera del Gallego-Cinco Villas Ribera del Jiloca Ribera del Queiles nota 3 ​ Valdejalon Valle del Cinca
Principado de Asturias (Asturias)				Cangas
Baleares (Balearic Islands)			Binissalem Pla i Llevant		Formentera Ibiza Illes Balears Isla de Menorca Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana-Costa Nord
Canarias (Canary Islands)			Abona El Hierro Gran Canaria La gomera La Palma Lanzarote Tacoronte-Acentejo Valle de Guimar Valle de La Orotava Ycoden-Daute-Isora	Islas Canarias
Cantabria (Cantabria)					Costa de Cantabria Liebana
Castilla-La Mancha (Castilla-La Mancha)	Campo de la Guardia Casa del Blanco Dehesa del Carrizal Dominio de Valdepusa Finca Elez Guijoso Pago Calzadilla Pago Florentino		Almansa Jumilla nota 4 La Mancha Manchuela Mentrida Mondejar Ribera del Júcar Ucles Valdepenas		Castilla
Castilla y León (Castile-Leon)			Arlanza Arribes Bierzo Cigales Ribera del Duero Rueda Tierra de Leon Tierra del Vino de Zamora	Cebreros 10 Sierra de Salamanca Valles de Benavente Valtiendas	Castilla y Leon
Cataluna (Catalonia)		Priorat	Alella Cataluna Conca de Barbera Costers del Segre Emporda Montsant Penedes Pla de Bages Tarragona Terra Alta Cava nota 2
Extremadura (Extremadura)			Ribera del Guadiana Cava nota 2		Extremadura
Galicia (Galicia)			Monterrey Rias Baixas Ribeira Sacra Ribeiro Valdeorras		Barbanza e Iria Betanzos Valle del Mino-Ourense
La Rioja (Rioja)		Rioja note 5	Cava nota 2		Valles de Sadacia
Community of Madrid (Autonomous Community of Madrid)			Vinos de Madrid
Region of Murcia (Murcia)			Bullas Jumilla nota 4 Yecla		Campo de Cartagena Murcia
Navarra (Navarre)	Pago de Arinzano Pago de Otazu Prado de Irache	Rioja note 5	Navarra Cava nota 2		Ribera del Queiles nota 3 ​ 3 Riberas
Pais Vasco (Basque)		Rioja note 5	Txakoli de Álava Txakoli de Bizkaia Txakoli de Getaria Cava nota 2 ​
Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia)	El Terrerazo Los Balagueses		Alicante Utiel-Requena Valencia Cava nota 2		Castello

Viticulture in Spain

Viticulture in Spain has been modified and adapted to the harsh realities of Spanish geography. At the same time, the dry weather and aridity of many regions of Spain means that common grape diseases (such as downy mold, powdery mildew and Botrytis cinerea) are quite rare here.

Grapes in Spain are grown in vineyards with wide rows, as in Spain it is customary to limit the competition between vines for sunlight: not least because in Spain - high aridity, as well as high fertility of the land. There is a special principle - Marco Real, according to which there must be at least 2.5 meters of free space around each vine. This rule is strictly enforced in the south and in central Spain. As a result, Spain has the most sparse vineyards: the number of vines per hectare almost never exceeds 1600, in the vast majority of cases being in the region of 1200-1300. At the same time, in Bordeaux and Burgundy, in France, the density of vineyards is 8 times higher, reaching more than 10,000 vines per hectare. This feature leads to the fact that very few fruits are harvested per hectare, in particular, in the Jumilla region of Murcia, the yield does not exceed 440 kilograms of grapes per hectare.

In 1994 and 1995, there were severe droughts in Spain, after which irrigation began to be widely used. In 1996, irrigation was officially legalized throughout Spain. The province of Toledo began to use underground drip irrigation to compensate for the drying of the soil due to the sun. The widespread development of irrigation systems has led to a denser sowing of grapes, which caused an explosive increase in yields in many regions of Spain.

Traditionally in Spain the grapes are harvested by hand; however, recently grapes have been harvested automatically. Previously, most crops were harvested in the early morning to avoid working in the exhausting heat. Today, due to the widespread introduction of mechanized harvesting, they began to pick grapes even at night, when manual labor is completely impossible.

Used grape varieties

Throughout Spain, there are about 600 grape varieties that are used to create wine. At the same time, only 20 grape varieties are used to produce 80% of all Spanish wine. The most popular variety is the Airen white wine vineyard, which is resistant to high temperatures and fruit fall. It is this variety that is found in all provinces, and it is this variety that is the main one for any Spanish cognac. As a rule, wine from Airen is stronger, and at the same time, such wine is more prone to oxidation and further transformation into vinegar.

The second most popular variety is Tempranillo - this variety is used for the production of red wine. This cultivar is also planted throughout Spain, but is known by various names, synonyms and dialects, notably Cencibel, Tinto Fino, and Ull de Llebre. The third wine is Garnacha Garnacha, also used to make red wine. This wine is produced in Ribera del Duero, Penedès, and, of course, Riola.

Mass plantings of Cariñena, Godello, Graciano, Mencia, Loureira, and Treixadura have also been observed.

In the north-west of the country, white wine varieties Albarino, Verdejo grow. In the Cava region, popular varieties are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo, which are used to create sparkling wines. In the south of the Sherry and Malaga regions, the main grapes are Palomino, Pedro Ximénez. With the development of winemaking in Spain and the increasing use of European technologies and methods, "international varieties" such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc are increasingly being used.

Winemaking in Spain

In Spain, the word "development" is used for wine production instead of "production". It is believed that the task of the winemaker is not just to grow grapes, but to engage in its “development” and “education”. Spanish winemaking in general is very much subject to conservatism and adherence to traditions, it is very reluctant to absorb modern technologies and cultures. In particular, in Spain it is customary to age even white wines; in some cases, white wine is aged in barrels for more than two decades. This made it so that Spanish wine is easily recognizable by people who have tried it at least once.

It is worth noting that in the 19th century, many wine reviewers spoke very negatively about Spanish wine. Richard Ford wrote in 1846 that Spanish wine was "unscientific and careless," and Cyrus Redding noted in his History and Description of Modern Wines that the Spanish were "very rough with grapes." It is believed that these reviews described Spanish winemaking traditions and showed a massive European response to Spanish wine. For example, the crushing of wine and its subsequent fermentation takes place in clay jars "tinadzhi". Then the wine is stored for a long time in small wooden barrels or in resin-coated pigskin bags. Such bags were called queros.

Spanish wine is characterized by high strength and low acidity. Traditional methods of diluting the strength and increasing the acidity (such as adding white wine or water) simply dilute the flavors of red Spanish grapes.

With the adoption of steel fermentation tanks with automatic temperature control, wine production in Spain has changed dramatically. This became especially noticeable in warm zones such as Andalusia, La Mancha and the Levante. New fruity styles of Spanish wine have emerged, especially in white wines. Along with the emergence of new tastes, fresh and fruity, traditional winemaking began to develop, based on barrel fermentation of white wines, traditions typical of the 19th century.

It is worth noting that the Spaniards began to use aging in oak barrels much earlier than the French, at least a hundred years before the French introduced their 225 liters (59 gallons) barrel. In general, the traditions of wine aging in Spain are very deep-rooted, and the Spaniards understand this better than anyone in the world. At first, oak was used, but at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, Spaniards began to use American oak (cheaper). Rioja winemakers spoke well of American oak, saying that the wine had acquired a more elegant aroma. In the 1990s, French oak came back into fashion, and some wineries began to use both varieties: first, the wine was aged in one barrel, from one oak, then poured for further aging into a barrel from another oak. Most DO class wines require a minimum aging period, and the aging period is indicated on the label - Crianza, Reserva, gran Reserva. At the same time, in recent decades, many wines have appeared that are produced with a very short aging period (up to one month).

Spanish wine Sherry Sherry

Separately, it is worth mentioning such Spanish wine as Sherry. Sherry is a fortified wine created in the south of Spain in the city of Jerez, or in Sanlúcar de Barrameda or El Puerto de Santa Maria. In 1990, a law was passed in the European Union, according to which only wine that was created in the specified regions of Spain can be called Sherry. Basically, sherry is made from Palomino grapes, which account for 95% of the region's grapes; Sherry also contains a small amount of Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez grapes. The distinctive flavor comes from the specific yeasts that ferment the wine while it is in oak barrels. After the wine from the Palomino variety is fermented to a strength of 12%, it is added to the wine, which not only increases the strength of the wine, but also kills the yeast and stops the fermentation process.

Sherry has many categories and types:

• Sherry Fino is a very light, light and delicate sherry with a strength of 15 to 18 degrees.
• Sherry Manzanilla is a salty fortified wine with a strength of 5 to 19 degrees.
• Sherry Amontillado - deeper Sherry, has more residual sugar, has a strength of 17 to 22 degrees.
• Sherry Oloroso is a dark and deep Sherry, with a high alcohol content (up to 22 degrees) and a high sugar content.
• Sherry Pedro Ximenez is a very rich and sweet Sherry, a dessert wine made from the raisins of the Pedro Ximenez grape. Fortress around 18 degrees.
• Sherry Palo Cortado - A very rare variety of sherry that ages naturally in a barrel, with an ABV ranging from 17 to 22 degrees.

Spanish wine Cava Cava

Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine that is made using the same technologies as Champagne sparkling wines. Cava wine appeared in Catalonia at the Codorniu winery at the end of the 19th century, the wine was originally called Champan, but then the wine was renamed Cava for marketing purposes. Today Cava can only be produced in Catalonia, Aragon, Castile and León, as well as in Valencia, Extremadura, Navarre, Basque Country and Rioja. 95% of all Spanish Cava wine is produced in Catalonia.

“Wine cures all ailments of the heart. Eternal tortures of the mind are healed by wine. Do not be afraid of the elixir of oblivion and consolation, crippled ones, - wine heals! ”, - said the great philosopher and poet Omar Khayyam. A glass of wine in hand and the happiness of the soul reflected in the eyes - this is what the people of Spain look like, sitting in a cafe and talking with friends. To know a lot about wine, to feel its aroma and life - this is what the Spaniards are masters of. And so that you can make the right choice, we will tell you how to read the label of Spanish wine or other alcoholic beverage.

Basic concepts

Part 1, art. 1 EU Regulation No. 1493/1999 of May 17, 1999 on the organization of a common wine market: the market must be regulated by laws governing the description, designation, design and protection of products, the quality of wines and trade with third countries. European Union regulations oblige EU producers to give full information about the drink, and Spanish winemakers follow these rules. Therefore, picking up a bottle, in a few minutes we learn a lot about its contents, and you can understand the drink only by tasting the wine itself.

Marking

Two or three labels are stuck on a bottle of alcoholic beverage. One is a business card, on the reverse side there is a counter-label and a counter-mark. The control stamp is applied to each bottle produced in regions with the status of D.O.Ca., D.O. The design of such brands is standardized, the manufacturer cannot make changes to it.

Wine labels are art, real works of art created to attract the attention of consumers. Some are bright, others are modest and mysterious. But the goal is the same - to talk about the content and lure the buyer. The inscriptions are informative.

• D.O. (denominación de origen): the status is given to the best wineries;
• D.O.Ca (denominacion de origen calificada) is assigned to two Spanish wine regions where grapes are grown and wine is bottled within the designated territory, Rioja and Priorat;
• Cosecha - the year of harvest;
• Bodega - a wine-producing estate;
• Embotellado en origen - the wine is bottled where it is produced in D.O.Ca.

Wine

Spain is the first in the area of ​​​​vineyards and the third among the largest producers of wine, and it is also a country of exciting wine tourism (enotourism). Therefore, a good understanding of the label is a must, because on the shelves of Spanish stores you will come across a wide variety of products.

Main grape varieties

Red varieties	White varieties	Blended (which can be mixed)

The main label contains the following information:

• harvest year (1994 in our example);
• holding period: in our example - Reserva;
• the emblem of the wine region;
• the name of the winery (bodegas) and its address;
• volume - 75 cl;
• alcohol content - 13%;
• trademark (in our case, Muga).

The label on the back gives the following information:

• a brief description of the wine, aging time and in which barrel;
• what grades or varieties it is made from;
• the name of the bodega;
• alcohol content;
• bottle volume;
• Country of Origin;
• address or web page;
• symbols denoting the logo of the plant;
• bottle model, bottle number and series;
• the presence of additional substances, for example, sulfites to slow down fermentation.

Control mark

The numbers are the batch (lot) number, exposure and date of production of Сosecha, the name of the region.

wine aging

Extract classification:

• Joven - young wines, without aging in a barrel;
• Roble - 3-6 months in a barrel;
• Noble - from 18 months of aging in oak containers;
• Crianza - two years of exposure, 6 months in barrels;
• Reserva - three years exposure, 12 months in oak barrels;
• Gran Reserva - 5 years aged, 2 years in barrels.

Exposure on the label for ordinary wine and brandy is not indicated.

Acidity

• Seco - dry;
• Semiseco - semi-dry;
• Dulce - sweet;
• Blanco - white;
• Rosado - pink
• Tinto - red;
• Vino de Mesa or Garantia Origen - table wine;
• Vino de la tierra is a local ordinary wine.
• Cava - sparkling wine, a traditional method of champagne;
• Espumoso is a sparkling wine.

Cava sparkling wine was born in Catalonia in 1872. At this time, José Raventos, the owner of the Codorniu bodega from Vilafranca del Penedès, after a long search for the best recipe, uncorked the first bottle of the fizzy drink he had created. Since then, the fame of the drink has caught up with the glory of French champagne, and the price of cava remains more attractive than that of its neighbor.

For the manufacture of these three varieties of grapes are used. Macabeo - gives a fruity aroma and freshness, Xarello and Parellada - floral elegance. You can add Chardone, Subirat, Malvasía and red varieties used for rosé champagne: Garnacha, Monastrel, Pino Nuar, Trepat.

Designations of kava on labels:

• Cava Extra Brut - the driest, sugar - less than 6 g / l;
• Cava Brut - less dry, sugar - from 6-15 g / l;
• Cava Extra Seco - extra-dry, sugar 12-20 g / l;
• Cava Seco - semi-dry, sugar 17-35 g / l;
• Cava Semiseco - sweet, the most popular in Russia, sugar 33–50 g/l;
• Cava Dulce - very sweet, sugar over 50 g/l.

kava labeling

The main label is the same as the wine:

• name - Cava;
• trade mark, for example, Codorniu;
• types of kava - Brut Nature, Extra Brut;
• aging period - Reserva, Gran Reserva;
• data - year, color;
• the strength of the drink;
• vessel volume.

The reverse side of the label shows the grape variety, bottling date, storage temperature, taste characteristics, amount of sugar, etc.; a control mark is glued with the designation of the exposure period.

This strong alcoholic drink, as well as everything that is made in Spain from grapes, is simply a masterpiece. Spanish brandy is supplied to the UK House of Lords and the Vatican. It is made from Palomino (palomino) and Airen (airen) grapes by wine distillation. Next, the semi-finished brandy is subjected to aging according to the Solera system, when a more aged drink is mixed with a younger one. The taste of the finished product depends on the barrel in which the sherry was previously. Fragrant and sweet varieties of sherry Pedro Ximenez (Pedro Jimenez), Manzanilla (manzanilla), Fino (fino), Oloroso (oloroso) give brandy a unique aroma and sweet taste, which distinguishes it from similar species. At the exit, 36–45% alcohol remains in brandy. This figure is indicated on the labeling of the final product.

The label for brandy will differ from the wine label only by the designation of the extract of the Solera drink:

• Solera - exposure from six months;
• Solera Reserva - an exposure of three years;
• Solera Gran Reserva - an exposure of ten years.

Conclusion

When the holidays are approaching, it's time to talk about the drinks that Spain is so rich in. A glass of dry red will slow down aging, brandy contains tannins that cleanse the body, and a glass of cava on a festive evening will bring the aroma of mystery to your meeting. Drinks - very different in strength, color and taste, of unsurpassed quality and at an attractive price - this is one of the great opportunities to learn the traditions and culture of wonderful Spain.

The center of services for business and life in Spain "Spain in Russian" is always ready to organize for you unforgettable trips and exotic wine tours around the famous bodegas of Spain.

Did you know that Spain is one of the top three wine producers in the world along with France and Italy? Moreover, it is Spain that can be proud of the largest vineyard area in the world, although most of the wine material is not used to produce high-quality Spanish wines, but is exported to other countries. In addition, the Spaniards themselves are happy to consume local wines, so a relatively small share of the products is exported. Nevertheless, Spanish wines are widely represented on the shelves of French, Italian, Dutch, Chinese and even Mexican stores, finding admirers all over the world.
What is the difference between the wines of Spain and the wine products of other countries? Spanish wines are very fragrant, their bouquet is clearly felt, and sour and tart notes prevail in tastes. Spaniards have a clear preference for dry and strong wines, and sweet or semi-sweet alcoholic beverages are produced in relatively small quantities and are not usually classified as high quality wines. However, if you like something sweet, young wines like Mistela, Malvarrosa or Impresiones will suit your needs. But in order not to make a mistake with the choice, you should carefully read the information on the label.

What is written on the label?

If you're not a wine connoisseur and you just need to find a wine that suits your taste, look for the words "seco" (dry), "semiseco" (semi-dry), "semidulce" (semi-sweet), or "dulce" (sweet) on the label. If you have a preference for a particular color of wine, don't rely solely on the appearance of the drink. The line between shades is hardly noticeable, and the color of the bottle itself can significantly affect perception. Read the label: "Blanco" means white wine, "Rosado" is rosé, and "Tinto" is red. If the label says “Cava”, then you have a Spanish sparkling wine made according to traditional technology from local grape varieties and different from the famous French champagne.

How to drink?

At first glance, it seems that the question "how?" here is an extra: just open the bottle with a corkscrew and pour the wine into a glass. But in order to fully appreciate the aroma and taste of Spanish wine, it is still worth doing everything not “as usual”, but “the right way”.
So, white wine can be poured just before drinking, but red wine should be opened in advance: a bouquet of wine will sparkle with all colors if you let the drink saturate with oxygen for half an hour. When uncorking, do not pierce the cork through and do not shake the bottle, as in the first case, the crumbled pieces of the cork will fall into the wine, and in the second you will shake up the sediment.
The question of the need and duration of wine cooling before serving remains a subject of discussion among connoisseurs, while the average consumer should remember the basic rule: the simpler the wine, the longer it can and should be cooled before serving. Red Spanish wines with a complex bouquet can be put in the refrigerator or ice bucket for a few minutes (unless the temperature in your apartment is 17-18°, as in wine cellars). White and rosé wines, especially young ones, are best left in the cold longer (up to half an hour). It is believed that at room temperature, the taste of white wine becomes sharper due to excessive release of carbon dioxide. In red wine, at low temperatures, the taste of tannins is more clearly felt, which can significantly spoil the taste of an already tart Spanish wine.
If you have several sets of glasses in your home, then for Spanish red wines like Tempranillo or Garnacha, it is better to choose a Bordeaux type tapering upwards, and wines labeled Vinos de Pagos perfectly reveal their bouquet in barrel-shaped burgundy glasses. For dry white wines, Bordeaux glasses are usually chosen, but of a smaller volume, and tall, narrow glasses are designed for sparkling wines. As for the famous Spanish sherry, it is generally drunk from glasses tapering upwards. And you do not need to fill the glass to the top - just pour 2/3 to appreciate the aroma and color, slightly rotating the drink in the glass.

What to drink with?

Naturally, Spanish wines are subject to the basic rules of pairing with different dishes. The tart red wine Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with grilled steaks and chops, smoked meats and aged cheeses, the “peppered” Syrah goes well with spicy meats and salty cheeses, while lighter dry wines like Merlot, Garnacha and Tempranillo are good with pizza, pasta and other pasta, as well as with red fish, sushi, berries and fruits. If you have bought a bottle of Pinot Noir, prepare a mushroom appetizer that harmonizes with the delicate taste and rich aroma of this wine. And the sharp taste of Monastrell will be the perfect pair for chicken pate or a game dish.
A dry white wine like Chardonnay, Albarino, or Verdejo is the perfect accompaniment to seafood, poultry, paella, soft cheeses, salads (without vinegar), vegetable dishes, and low-fat sausages. It is worth trying Verdejo with sauces and sauces that have a sweet aftertaste, and Albarino with dishes that are rich in greens and herbs.
Semi-sweet whites such as Moscatel go well with cheeses, fruit and chocolate, while semi-sweet reds labeled Tinto Semidulce go well with meats, oily fish, ice cream and dessert. If you like semi-sweet rosé (Tempranillo Rose in particular), enjoy it paired with dessert or cheese.
Sparkling wine Cava is suitable for almost any dish and dessert, you just need to choose the right concentration of sugar: Brut is better for fish, meat and salads, and Dulce is better for sweet dishes. By the way, if you don’t know how to complement salty dishes, try Brut . Color also matters: pair a risotto or pasta with rosé sparkling wine and see for yourself.
As for dessert wine Jerez, you can sip it with a piece of blue cheese, vanilla ice cream or pastries.