Spanish Wine

Spanish Wines from Great Wines Direct

Wines produced in Spain have long been known around the world, although not all have enjoyed a good reputation in recent years. Spain has more than 1.17 million hectares of vineyards, and this has earned it the honour of being the nation with the most widely planted wine producing areas, however, in terms of production, it only ranks 3rd in the world, following France and Italy. The main reason for this is that the old vines are widely spaced and only produce low yields due to the infertile and dry soil that is found in so many of Spain's wine producing regions.

Spain has many native varieties of grape, and there are more than 400 different grape varieties planted across the country. Despite this, 80% of the wine produced here comes from just 20 different types of grape, including the well-known red Garnacha, Monastrell, and Tempranillo varieties, and the white Albarino, Palomino, Macabeo, and Airen varieties. There are also three types of grapes used to make cava: Parellada, Macabeo, and Xarel-lo.

The best known Spanish regions for wine production include Ribera del Duero and Rioja, both of which are famous for Tempranillo varieties. Rias Baixas, to the north-west of Galicia, is also known for producing fine white wine from the Albarino grape.

The most prevalent grape variety in Spain is the airen, which is known for its resistance to drop and its hardiness. The wines made using this grape are very high in alcohol and are also prone to oxidation. The next most frequently seen grape is the Tempranillo, which comes under a number of local names.

Today’s Spanish wine industry is becoming more modern, and this has led to more international varieties of grape being introduced to blends, including the ever-popular Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay grapes.

Read our blog - Why Spanish Wines are Among the Best in the World!

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Red 14

Vina Salceda Puente de Salceda Reserva 2020 75cl £14.60

Puente de Salceda Reserva represents the pinnacle of Viña Salceda's winemaking heritage, crafted from carefully selected Tempranillo grapes grown in Rioja Alavesa's finest terroirs. This vintage showcases the region's signature elegance: a refined palate of dark cherry and plum, layered with subtle oak spice and graphite minerality. Aged in French oak to achieve perfect balance, it delivers the structure and complexity expected of a true Reserva, with a silky finish that lingers gracefully. An exceptional choice for collectors seeking authentic Rioja character and ageing potential.

White 12

Pere Ventura Tresor Cuvee Gran Reserva 2019 75cl £20.76

A complex and structured sparkling wine with creamy texture and a lovely aromatic axis running from ripe peaches to toast and spices Cuvee is a very specific cava, made from Xarel·lo and Chardonnay grapes and aged for an extended period of 36 months minimum A significant proportion of the Chardonnay base wine is fermented in oak barrels to increase its complexity This is a gastronomic wine, designed to complement haute cuisine

Red 14.5

Pago de los Capellanes Roble 2024 75cl £19.67

Pago de los Capellanes Roble is a refined Spanish red from Ribera del Duero, crafted with meticulous attention to terroir and tradition. This wine showcases the depth and structure characteristic of the region's Tempranillo-based wines, aged in oak to develop complexity and elegance. Expect a harmonious balance of dark fruit, subtle spice, and oak-derived nuance, with a finish that lingers with sophistication. An excellent choice for discerning palates seeking authentic Spanish character at a considered price point.

Red 14

Sierra Cantabria Rioja Gran Reserva 2016 75cl £38.77

A colossally complex, sumptuous, beautifully mature Gran Reserva, with a fabulously intricate and inviting bouquet of vanilla, fig, dark chocolate, vanilla bean, black truffle and autumn leaves The palate utterly lives up to the expectation set by the nose: super-soft, mature tannins; full-bodied and crammed with pronounced flavours of dates, seasoned wood, liquorice, hot tar, woodsmoke and brown cardamom Superb length on the palate Awesome wine, outstanding quality

White 13.5

J Chivite Family Estates Finca Legardeta Chardonnay 2023 75cl £16.67

This has a lovely aroma of perfectly ripe, juicy William pears, with delectable nuances of spices, frankincense and ginger Wonderful succulence of texture, with an understated richness reminiscent of Saint Veran in Burgundy The flavours reflect the aroma: deliciously juicy and fresh, and displaying both orchard fruits and suggestions of pineapple and fresh papaya Irresistible!

Red 13.5

Bodegas Verum Las Tinadas Cencibel 2016 75cl £29.21

From the Las Tinadas vineyard parcel planted in 1956, this masterpiece represents modern, elegant and truly unique fine winemaking It is fermented and then aged in a clay amphora for 12 months, followed by more than four years' maturation in bottle The result is stunning: incredible complexity of distinctive aromas, and, since no oak barrels are used, an exquisite purity of fruit Aromas of red berries and cherries stand out, with a subtle balsamic - almost minty - touch, alongside Mediterranean wild thyme and rosemary On the palate, it surprises with its silky structure, balanced acidity and pure fruit A long-lasting wine, with smooth tannins and subtle acidity that invite an immediate second sip

Red 14

Vina Salceda Crianza 2021 75cl £13.00

White 0.5

Albali Sauvignon Blanc Low Alcohol 2023 75cl £5.71

De-alcoholised Sauvignon Blanc from Spain It smells of tinned grapefruit and guava, and tastes tart and sweet - with sugar used in an attempt to fill the hole left by the removal of the alcohol

Red 15

Sierra Cantabria Rioja Garnacha 2020 75cl £23.99

Elegant and beautifully balanced, this has black cherry, pomegranate, liquorice and spice flavours, seasoned with the most delicate touch of oak and Garnacha's natural delicate pepperiness From a single vineyard planted in 1927 in the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, this is a comparatively rare varietal Garnacha from the Rioja Alta sub-region Rated 95/100 by James Suckling: "a phenomenal wine" and 92/100 by The Wine Advocate: "a great vintage of finesse, really spectacular and improving in the glass"

White 12

Vins Petxina Blanc Vi Natural White Organic 2022 75cl £15.88

A 'natural wine', made without adding protective sulphur dioxide This results in a golden yellow colour, aromas and flavours of bruised orchard fruits and a distinct tingly tang of acidity

White 12

Vins Petxina Blanc Vi Natural White Organic 2020 75cl £15.92

A 'natural wine', made without adding protective sulphur dioxide This results in a golden yellow colour, aromas and flavours of bruised orchard fruits and a distinct tingly tang of acidity

White 12.5

Bodegas Martin Codax Organistrum Albarino 2021 75cl £21.94

Straw-yellow colour with intense green highlights Nose: High aromatic intensity with a first touch of freshness, caramel and cocoa which reminds of the oak influence in the wine Then the varietal fruit notes take place in a more ripe and soothing way: quince and apple compote Palate: Balanced and structured Round, full-bodied and powerful with a nice balanced acidity thanks to the batonnage, as well as spiced and long lasting

Red 13

Bodegas la Purisima, Yecla, Campules El Moreno NV 75cl £12.23

A deliciously moreish red, showing an abundance of black fruit and spicy overtones through to a juicy palate, full of fruit in an easy-drinking style

White 11.5

Pinord Seleccion Brut Cava + and + 75cl £20.05

Refreshing citrus flavours of lemon, crisp and elegant

White 12.5

Albarino Arousa 22 Martin Codax 75cl £31.79

White 13

Bodegas Martin Codax Lias Albarino 2022 75cl £20.52

The Martin Codax Lias Albarino is beautifully aromatic, with notes of juicy pear, crisp apple and white peach, with layers of complexity from the lees ageing: yeast, vanilla and fresh-baked bread It has masses of up-front appeal from the first sip, with juicy richness, fresh fruit, cream and warm brioche notes, and a long, refined finish It comes from the Pe Redondo vineyard, and undergoes regular stirring ('batonnage') of the fine yeast lees for 6 months, followed by resting on the same lees for a year, and then a further six months in bottle This process helps develop layers of complexity and subtle, rich, creaminess, while at the same time preserving tip-top freshness This is a magnificent Albarino