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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White 12

Bodegas Ondarre, Rivallana Blanco, Rioja 2024 75cl £11.80

Fresh notes of crystalline fruits, vibrant lemon and melon lead to a zesty finish

Rose 13.5

Tandem, Casual Rose, Navarra 2024 75cl £14.80

Pale vibrant pink in colour, this richly aromatic rose has notes of wild red fruits layered with delicate floral and violet hints, leading to a fresh and lively finish

Red 14.5

La Rioja Alta SA, Vina Arana, Rioja Gran Reserva 2016 75cl £55.72

Refined, supple and polished, with an array of red and black fruits, coffee, caramel and cedar, through to a palate of beautiful balance and extraordinary length

Red 14

Ramon Bilbao Edicion Limitada, Magnum 2020 150cl £32.62

Intense ruby red with black cherry glints and a deep hue High fruit intensity on the nose, with a perfect balance of dark fruit and oak on the palate The spicy nuances play a key role, with black pepper, cloves and cumin Fresh wood aromas with notes of cocoa, dry tobacco leaves and mint and a smooth, fruity mouth-feel with a long finish Pleasant, polished tannins and refreshing acidity

Red 13.5

Hugonell, Joven, Rioja 2023 75cl £12.92

Hugonell Joven represents the approachable entry point to Rioja's winemaking tradition. This unoaked red showcases the region's signature Tempranillo character: bright red fruit, subtle spice, and a clean, food-friendly structure. The Joven designation means minimal barrel ageing, preserving the wine's vibrant acidity and primary fruit expression. Ideal for everyday enjoyment or pairing with Spanish cuisine, cured meats, and lighter dishes. A reliable expression of Rioja's classic style at an accessible price point. Plum and juicy red cherry flavours combine with hints of vanilla and spice

Red 13.5

Franck Massard El Mago Organic Garnacha 2023 75cl £16.01

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

Bodegas Verum Ulterior Mazuelo Parcela No4 Organic 2019 75cl £23.21

Quite reminiscent of a Rioja Reserva, with distinct coconut oak character Full and rich, with ripe plummy fruit and deep, bass earth, dried herb and balsamic notes Highly recommended if you enjoy smooth, full-bodied wines like the Papale Oro, Unanime or Falernia Carmenere Gran Reserva

Red 14

Bodega Bideona Vino de Pueblo, Laguardia L4GD4, Rioja Alavesa 2020 75cl £37.22

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

White 12

Bodegas la Purisima, Yecla, Campules La Rubia Macabeo NV 75cl £10.42

Bright and aromatic aromas of juicy stone fruits and a touch of refreshing citrus lead to a light and vibrant palate full of fruit with a crisp, mouthwatering finish

Red 12

Virgen de las Vinas, El Concierto Tinto NV 75cl £9.83

A smooth and juicy red wine made from the Tempranillo grape showing red-berried fruit and cherry notes in an easy-drinking, unoaked style

Red 13

Hugonell, Joven, Rioja 2022 75cl £12.92

Hugonell's Joven represents the approachable entry point to Rioja's winemaking tradition. This young red, unoaked or minimally aged in wood, captures the region's characteristic bright red fruit, cherry and strawberry, with subtle spice undertones. The Joven style prioritises freshness and drinkability, making it an ideal everyday wine that pairs effortlessly with tapas, grilled meats, or casual dining. At its core, this is honest Rioja: clean, balanced, and unpretentious, offering genuine regional character without the investment of aged reserves. Plum and juicy red cherry flavours combine with hints of vanilla and spice

White 12.5

Bodega Cerron Todo Sobre mi White 2022 75cl £14.00

Todo Sobre Mi comes from a vineyard planted in '89 in a sandy calcareous soil very prone to producing quality white grapes This soil is somewhat deeper than in its big brother Remordimiento Blanco, which allows to create somewhat larger grapes that keep more the acidity and freshness of the wine, creating a style, fresh, citrus and with a marked salinity from the soil

White 12

Gramona Innoble Cuvee 318 Corpinnat 75cl NV £41.99

This is a delicious as well as fantastically intricate and complex sparkling wine, with nuances of pine forest and spice above fragrant homemade apple pie character Made from 100% Xarel·lo, the most highly-prized grape for sparkling Penedes wine, this is a departure from Gramona's usual vintage-specific theme, in that three successive harvests are matured in barrels before being combined and then lees-aged for 55 months to bring out its full potential complexity and texture Astonishing stuff!

White 12

Gramona Celler Batlle Brut 2011 75cl £85.12

This astonishing wine is aged on the lees for no less than 108 months prior to release It is intense and complex, with aromas of ripe peaches, golden apple and quince, alongside lemon zest, aromatic herbs, cherry blossom and pine forest The long lees-ageing has conferred amazingly complex layers of flavour: toasted sourdough bread, butter puff pastry, brioche, toasted hazelnuts, almonds, vanilla custard, coffee and praline The first sip reveals a powerful yet nuanced surge of flavour, and a fabulous balance between maturity and freshness Exquisitely fine, creamy bubbles caress the palate The lingering, complex finish insists that this is a fine wine to be savoured slowly Truly memorable - once tasted, never forgotten

White 11.5

Pere Ventura Divina Cava 75cl NV £11.35

Fresh and intense, this Cava has beautiful notes of green apple and honey and a refreshing acidity

White 15

Bella Luna Pedro Ximenez 375cl 37.5cl NV £9.56

Deep ebony with dense aromas of raisins, dates and honey The palate is unctuous and complex with a long, candied fruit finish