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!

Read

Red 14

Quinta de Quercus, Ucles 2020 75cl £19.12

A concentrated yet vibrant wine with berried fruits complemented by subtle spice, silky with a beautifully velvety texture

Red 13.5

Dominio de Fontana, Ucles, Tempranillo Syrah Roble 2022 75cl £13.19

A smooth, juicy and full flavoured red with expressive notes of ripe blood orange complemented by notes of pepper, cocoa and a subtle hint of vanilla

White 11.5

Encantador, Chardonnay Airen 2022 75cl £6.61

Intense aromas of starfruit and pear combine with subtle lemon overtones, juicy on the palate with a long, refreshing finish

Red 13.5

Franck Massard El Mago Organic Garnacha 2023 75cl £13.33

This is dangerously easy to drink It smells and tastes like strawberries, with the merest suggestion of spice, and it's extraordinarily soft-textured, with such gentle tannins that they almost go unnoticed However, thanks to the high-altitude vineyards, there is nice, crisp acidity that keeps everything fresh On the finish, the strawberry fruit gives way to an intriguing hint of blood oranges and blanched almonds

Red 13

Heredad Rioja Temp 23 Felix Solis Avantis 75cl £9.19

Red 14.5

Vinedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva Unica 2020 75cl £30.41

This is an outstanding Rioja Reserva, from vines at least thirty years old, growing around the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra: 97% Tempranillo with a seasoning of Graciano More French than American oak is used for the ageing, and only 30% of the barrels are first-fill, meaning that the initial - and enduring - impression of the wine is of the wonderfully expressive, lifted, aromatic fruit The barrels simply serve to round out the texture and add complexity to the wine, their flavour never dominates

Red 14.5

Bodega Maranones Pena Caballera 2020 75cl £39.52

It is the expression of the Garnacha from the point of view of the floral, the acidity, the length, the finesse, the delicacy, the elegance of the wine

White 13.5

Ossian Vides y Vinos Ossian Organic Verdejo 2021 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Ossian Vides y Vinos Ossian Organic Verdejo 2021 75cl £33.94

An extraordinary wine from a unique place on earth, Ossian is the fruit of vines almost 200 years old - survivors of the Phylloxera pandemic that scourged the world's vineyards in the late 19th Century It has a lovely rich, lush juicy-ripe pear fruitiness; strongly reminiscent of young white Burgundy This is followed by a green fennel herbal character that sets it apart as something distinct and utterly unique Also akin to Burgundy is the finely-applied veneer of top-quality oak, which enhances but does not obscure the wine's singular personality Underneath all this is a tight, grippy 'mineral' character, suggesting that, while enjoyable now, this should also develop beautifully over a few years The ancient vines have never been grafted, and have developed their own extensive root system deep into the sand and slate terroir that has protected them for centuries, and which contributes greatly to the notable balance and expressiveness in the wine

Red 15

Jimbro Brunal 2016 75cl £41.96 £45.00

In 2010 at their trial farm in the municipality of Fermoselle, JIMBRO started the endeavour to recover one acre of Brunal after obtaining certified material from the A.T.I. To preserve this variety, they grafted three thousand plants from a sixty-year-old vineyard. The outcome was outstanding: a grape of exceptional quality, characterised by a striking level of taste, richness and ripe, strong tannins. With a production of only 1,500 bottles, JIMBRO BRUNAL was established as a wine with remarkable personality.

Red 14.5

Jimbro 3 2018 75cl £24.78 £28.97

JIMBRO 3 is an exquisite blend of three red grape varietals from Arribes del Duero's century-old vineyards. Blending the lesser-known Brunal, Rufete, and Juan Garcia varietals results in a superb wine possessing a distinct personality, grace, and balance.

White 13.5

Jimbro Puesta en Cruz 2018 75cl £28.57 £32.00

JIMBRO Puesta en Cruz faithfully captures the essence of the region used in its production. With its remarkable acidity, rich bouquet, and robust body, this wine has a longer shelf life than most white wines. With our Jimbro Puesta en Cruz, we have tried to bring back the traditional idea of white wines, which were exquisite, complex wines with a long shelf life. LIMITED EDITION – 1,800 available

White 12

Vins Petxina Blanc Vi Natural White Organic 2020 75cl £14.96

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 11.5

Bodegas Covinas La Copa de Macabeo 2023 75cl £10.32

The nose is fresh and herbaceous with white fruit, green apple and a hint of grass The palate is juicy and fresh with a delicate body and a dash of minerality Crisp refreshing finish

Red 14.5

Bodegas San Alejandro, 'Vinas de Miedes', Garnacha, Calatayud 2022 75cl £13.64

An exuberant and fruity wine, with aromas of vibrant, juicy red fruits complemented by mineral and herbal overtones with a touch of vanilla, juicy and moreish

Red 14.5

Senorio de San Vicente Rioja San Vicente 2020 75cl £56.99

Described by Robert Parker as Rioja made in the image of a Chateau Margaux, where richness is combined with elegance," this is an exceptional and unique wine, made entirely from Tempranillo Peludo, which grows around the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra 'Peludo' means 'hairy', and it is so-named because of the downy undersides of the leaves Unlike most Tempranillo, Peludo requires a long season to ripen, and produces unusually low yields The wine comes from a single vineyard called La Canoca, which sits at close to 600m elevation at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria mountains All these factors make producing it a risky business, and indeed in some years, the Eguren family has not produced any However, the risk is worth it due to its unforgettable intensity, complexity and ageability A sensational, must-try wine that is irresistible young yet capable of cellaring for many years

White 12

Gramona Enoteca Brut Nature 2006 75cl £195.36

Deep yet still vibrant rose-gold appearance It fills the senses with an immediately complex bouquet of aromas, showing astonishing complexity, precision and finesse Beeswax, pine resin, cedar, dried mango, candied citrus peel, crystallised ginger and butterscotch, with a savoury dried-herb richness It is super-sumptuous, with a genuine impression of 'mousse' from the nearly microscopic bubbles The hallmark of all Gramona's wines - that fabulous, mellow integration from cellaring under perfect conditions for many years - reaches its apogee in this unforgettable wine of height and depth, breadth and length Prestige Champagne and aged Montrachet cower in its shadow!