Spanish Wine Guide – 🍷Discover Spain’s Best Wines.
Spain is a true paradise for wine lovers. With more vineyard land than any other country in the world, it ranks as the third-largest wine producer globally (after France and Italy) and proudly holds the title of the largest exporter of wine. From bold reds and crisp whites to world-famous sparkling Cava, Spanish wines offer incredible variety, history, and value.
This Spanish Wine Guide will walk you through Spain’s most famous wine regions, introduce you to local bodegas, and explain important Spanish wine terms. As a result, you’ll feel more confident when choosing your next bottle.
🍇 Bodegas to Visit near Benidorm
Enrique Mendoza – Alfaz del Pi
A must-visit for wine enthusiasts, Bodega Enrique Mendoza offers guided tours lasting around 1 hour 30 minutes (advance booking required).
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Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday – 10:00, 12:00 & 16:00 | Saturday – 10:00 & 12:00
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Experience: Sample 7 different wines, paired with cheese, pork, chorizo, olive oil, and even chocolate.
🍷 Bodega Xaló – Jalon Valley
Not a guided tour, but a fantastic spot to buy high-quality, great-value Spanish wines. Generous tastings are available.
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Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 09:30 to 13:30 & 15:00 to 19:00 | Saturday – 10:30 to 14:30 | Sundays & fiestas – 09:30 to 13:30
🌍 Spanish Wine Regions – Where to Start
Spain is home to dozens of wine regions, each with its own character. Below are the most important ones every wine lover should know.
Rioja – Spain’s Iconic Red Wine
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Mostly Tempranillo blends with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo.
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75% red, 15% rosado (rosé), and 10% white.
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Furthermore, Rioja wines are known for their elegance and aging potential.
Ribera del Duero – Powerful Reds
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Located north of Madrid.
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Renowned for rich, deep Tempranillo wines with body and finesse.
Priorat – Bold & Modern
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Produces powerful Garnacha and Carignan reds.
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In addition, Priorat wines are internationally recognised for their intensity.
Penedès – Sparkling Cava
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The birthplace of Cava, Spain’s answer to Champagne.
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Also produces both reds and whites.
Rías Baixas – Crisp Albariño
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In Galicia, by the Atlantic coast.
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Produces fresh, aromatic whites from the Albariño grape.
Navarra – Rosé & Reds
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Historically famous for rosados.
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However, it is now increasingly known for affordable, high-quality reds.
Toro – Intense Tempranillo
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Produces tannic, powerful red wines.
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As a result, Toro is becoming one of Spain’s rising wine stars.
Rueda – Fresh Verdejo
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Known for clean, fruity whites made from Verdejo grapes.
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These wines are crisp, affordable, and easy to drink.
🍇 Spanish Wine Grape Varieties
Spain grows both native and international grape varieties.
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Red Grapes: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, Graciano, Mazuelo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
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White Grapes: Albariño, Verdejo, Macabeo, Xarel·lo, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malvasía.
In conclusion, Tempranillo remains Spain’s flagship red grape, while Albariño and Verdejo dominate the whites.
📖 Essential Spanish Wine Terms
When exploring Spanish wines, labels can be confusing. Therefore, knowing these terms will make your wine journey easier:
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Amontillado – Fino Sherry aged 10+ years; usually dry, sometimes slightly sweetened.
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Añejo – Wine aged for at least 24 months in oak barrels.
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Bodega – Winery or wine cellar (sometimes also wine shop).
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Blanca – White wine.
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Cava – Sparkling wine made in the traditional Champagne method.
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Cosecha – Harvest or vintage.
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Criadera – Younger group of barrels in a solera aging system.
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Crianza – Red wine aged 24+ months (at least 6 in oak). White wines: 12 months (6 in oak).
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Doble Pasta – Powerful wine made by fermenting with extra grape skins (similar to Italy’s ripasso).
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Fino – A light, dry style of Sherry.
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Flor – The yeast film that develops in barrels of fino-style Sherry.
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Fondillón – Sweet, fortified Monastrell wine from Alicante.
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Gran Reserva – Premium wines aged at least 5 years (reds), 4 years (whites).
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Joven – Young, fresh wines with little or no oak aging.
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Manzanilla – A delicate, dry fino-style Sherry made in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
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Noble – Wine aged at least 12 months in oak.
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Oloroso – Naturally dry Sherry, often blended for sweetness.
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Orujo – Spanish pomace brandy, similar to grappa.
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Pago / DO Pago – Single-estate designation for premium wines.
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Palo Cortado – Rare Sherry style, between Amontillado and Oloroso.
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Rancio – Oxidative-style, high-intensity wine.
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Reserva – Red wines aged 3+ years (1 in oak). Whites: 2 years (6 months in oak).
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Roble – “Oak”; indicates a young wine with some oak contact.
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Rosado – Rosé wine, usually made from red grapes.
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Solera – Aging system blending younger and older wines.
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Tinto – Red wine.
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Vendimia – Harvest or vintage (same as cosecha).
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Viejo – Aged for at least 3 years in barrel, with oxidative notes.
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Vinos de Autor – Signature or “high concept” wines, often limited production.
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Vitivinicultor – Grower and winemaker (similar to French vigneron).
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VORS – “Very Old Rare Sherry,” aged at least 30 years.
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VOS – “Very Old Sherry,” aged at least 20 years.
🥂 Why Explore Spanish Wine?
From sipping Rioja with tapas 🍖 to tasting Albariño by the Atlantic coast 🌊 or raising a glass of Cava in Barcelona 🎉, Spanish wine is rich in culture, variety, and tradition.
❓ FAQ – Spanish Wine Guide
Q1: What is the most famous Spanish wine region?
The most famous region is Rioja, known worldwide for its Tempranillo-based red wines.
Q2: What is Spain’s best white wine?
Many consider Albariño from Rías Baixas and Verdejo from Rueda among the finest Spanish whites.
Q3: What does Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva mean?
They indicate aging levels. Crianza = 2 years, Reserva = 3 years, Gran Reserva = 5 years or more, often with minimum oak aging.
Q4: What sparkling wine does Spain produce?
Spain’s sparkling wine is called Cava, made mainly in Penedès using the traditional Champagne method.
Q5: What grape is Spain most famous for?
Tempranillo is Spain’s signature red grape, while Albariño and Verdejo lead the whites.
More information on Spanish food and drink
💬 Share Your Favourite Spanish Wine!
We’d love to hear from you:
👉 What’s your favourite Spanish wine, region, or grape variety?
Drop your recommendations in the comments below and help fellow wine lovers discover new favourites. 🍷