El Camino de Vino | Dorothy Lane Market

El Camino de Vino

  • POSTED Oct 3rd, 2021
  • BY Todd Templin, CSW

Wine Regions of Spain

Spanish wine is one of the world’s great values in flavor and abundance! Spain has a vast amount of land under vine, and with its regional diversity it produces everything from light, dry whites in the cool Atlantic region of Galicia to full-bodied red wines influenced by the Mediterranean, as well as Cava and Sherry from the south. Dive into Spanish wine by region!

Map of Spanish Wine Regions

1. RÍAS BAIXAS

The leading wine zone of Galicia, Rías Baixas produces wines that are lively, bright, and aromatic. They pair so well with the seafood dishes for which the area is famous. TRY: La Caña Albariño

2. TORO

To the west of Rioja and in Castile-Léon, Toro is known for its high altitude giving vines a respite in the cool nights from the incredibly warm days. This creates fleshy, full-bodied wines that achieve maximum ripeness. TRY: Numanthia Termes Tinta de Toro

3. RUEDA

This historic Spanish white wine zone that is near Toro is the home of the Verdejo grape that has been growing in the area for centuries. The high altitude of the vineyards helps keep the temperatures cooler, even in the summer. TRY: Familia Torres Verdeo Verdejo 

4. BASQUE COUNTRY

Basque Country of northern Spain facing the Bay of Biscay produces little wine, but oh what vibrant and bright wine! TRY: Camino Roca Altxerri Getariako Txakolina

5. RIOJA

Rioja is perhaps one of the most recognizable regions of Spain with its north central location and wines that are quite similar to Bordeaux (which is not far, located just over the Pyrenees). TRY: Muga Rioja Reserva&Sierra Cantabria Rioja Crianza

6. CAMPO DE BORJA

The so-called birthplace of Garnacha is in the heart of Aragón, producing wines with smooth tannins. TRY: Viña Borgia Garnacha

7. CALATAYUD

Calatayud in northeast Spain requires that only indigenous grape varieties are allowed to be made into wine, and Garnacha is the primary grape. TRY: Honoro Vera Garnacha

8. MANCHUELA

Nearly halfway between Madrid and Valencia, Manchuela is known for having long, hot summers. It's greatly influenced by the nocturnal, moisture-bearing winds from the Levant that keep the mean annual temperature down. TRY: 11 Piños Bobal Old Vines

9. JUMILLA

Jumilla, in the southeastern part of the country, is known mainly for producing strong, full-bodied red wines. TRY: Altamente Monastrell

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Oct 15th 2021

Great article! I learned a lot about cheese(manchego) and about the wine regions of Spain....Now if I can find some of your suggestions here in Cleveland I'll be set!!

- David Rakich

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