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

White 11.5

Rama Viura Blanco 2023 75cl £9.06

Lively tropical notes of pineapple and bananas, with a floral hint Lovely citrus fruit and a refreshing palate

White 13

Cuentavinas Arriscado 2022 75cl £53.44

Red 14

Bideona Vino de Pueblo, Laguardia L4GD4, Rioja 2020 75cl £35.29

A light and perfumed wine with delicate, floral aromas of wild strawberries and violets complemented by a long, mineral core

Red 14.5

Finca Bacara, Time Waits For No One, 'Black Skull', Jumilla, 2021 75cl £20.20

Voluptuous with intense aromas of ripe red fruits, barbecue and dark plum accompanied by complex notes of spice, balsamic, tobacco and mocha Powerful and robust yet silky on the finish

White 11

Virgen de las Vinas, 'El Concierto' Blanco NV 75cl £9.28

A crisp and fruity wine with delicate floral notes and vibrant green apple, grapefruit and pineapple flavours in a light and refreshing style

White 11.5

Sold out

Adur Txakolina 2019 75cl £19.19

Wonderfully intense and elegant on the nose with white fruit, pear, fresh herbs and citrus notes The palate is bracingly fresh with poise and tension, a notably saline character and a long, complex finish Sourced from 3 hectares of vines in Getaria, the yields are carefully controlled in order extract maximum intensity of aromas from the Hondarribi Zuri grape Fermentation takes place in French barrel all from the first press at a temperature of 12 oC 10% of the wine then undergoes malolactic to slightly reduce the acidity and provide more weight and balance on the palate The Txakoli is then left in contact with the lees for 6 months to add volume and texture

Red 14.5

Franck Massard El Brindis Montsant 2020 75cl £16.00

Red 14.5

Bodega Maranones Pena Caballera 2019 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

Red 15

Bodega Maranones Garnacha 2020 75cl £26.57

The 100 percent Garnacha expresses itself fully, both in the nose and in the mouth, with flavours of blackthorn, a sensation of fleshy fruit retaining a slightly crispy texture Then comes a full silkiness, with the granularity of these granite soils rich in quartz That nugget of quartz is noticeable in the texture, length, fineness, elegance and the floral element of the wine

White 12.5

Bodegas Alonso Stripped Desnudado 2021 75cl £13.10

A really light and interesting wine that suits very nicely as an aperitivo, or with a light meal or snack Mineral and saline, with citrus and flowers

Red 14.5

Vinedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Finca El Bosque 2021 75cl £77.04

An incredibly distinguished wine from the tiny, 14 hectare, El Bosque vineyard, planted on a deep gravel terrace overlooking the Ebro River The Egurens recognised the similarity of this well-drained site to the great growths of Bordeaux, and the concentration and complexity of its miniscule annual yield are truly awesome One to cellar for an extremely special occasion The exceptional quality of the vineyard is reflected in the intensity of aromas and flavours, exquisite finesse and extraordinary length, and the ability to mature for many years

Red 14.5

Vinedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Amancio 2020 75cl £77.02

The Eguren s most cherished Rioja vineyard is called La Veguilla, planted 1975 at San Vicente de la Sonsierra The vines here produce just two or three bunches of grapes each year, and the fruit quality is already outstanding However, to make Amancio, La Veguilla's most exquisite individual grapes are selected and de-stemmed by hand The wine therefore requires longer ageing in top-quality, new French oak Bordeaux barrels, which is why it is released the latest It also demands further ageing in the bottle to truly show its extraordinary nature, so be prepared to hold on to it for a few years With maturity, you can expect an impressive explosion of flavour complexity: black cherries, dark chocolate, figs, aniseed, dried herbs, woodsmoke, soy sauce, spices and beef stock Patience required, but absolutely worth the wait!

Red 13.5

Encantador, Tempranillo Syrah 2021 75cl £6.61

A juicy red wine oozing with aromas of red fruits, black plum and a spicy note of freshly ground pepper, juicy and inviting

White 13

Vina Mein O Gran Mein Castes Branca 2019 75cl £35.59

Vina Mein's top wine, 'O Gran Mein' expresses a spine-tingling tension between zesty, fresh joie de vivre and presence, purity, depth and longevity Herbal, spicy and floral in style, with Treixadura's hallmark stone fruit and citrus character forming the backdrop rather than taking centre stage This will shine for at least another 5-6 years

Red 14.5

Bodegas San Alejandro, 'Evodia', Aragon, Garnacha 2021 75cl £17.08

An elegant expression of Garnacha with effortless notes of raspberry, sweet and sour cherry laced with distinctive minerality and herbal tones Smooth and full of finesse

Red 13

Hugonell, Joven, Rioja 2022 75cl £11.78

Plum and juicy red cherry flavours combine with hints of vanilla and spice