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 13.5

Nivarius, Tempranillo Blanco 2023 75cl £15.25

Refreshing with a creamy texture and fruity notes of zesty citrus and stone fruits complemented by mineral nuances through to a long finish

Rose 12.5

Nivarius, 'Lia' Pet-Nat Rosado 2022 75cl £18.16

A refreshing pale rose with a gentle natural sparkle enveloping fragrant aromas of juicy apple, pear, wild strawberry and a touch of floral blossom

Rose 12

Cava Rosado Sparkling Wine NV Codorniu 20cl NV £3.04

Red 13.5

Bodegas Ondarre, Rioja, 'Primeur' 2022 75cl £13.25

A generous and smooth youthful Rioja, with enticing notes of fresh black fruits, hints of oak spice and a textured palate full of terroir expression

Red 14

Vina Salceda Puente de Salceda Reserva 2018 75cl £14.32

Red 13.5

Bodegas Ondarre, Ondarre Reserva, Rioja 2019 75cl £16.38

Leather, vanilla and spice of traditionally made Rioja enveloped in an elegant and textured palate

Red 13.5

Hugonell, Reserva, Rioja 2019 75cl £16.37

A traditional and rich Rioja showing vanilla, red fruit and tobacco flavours, spicy and savoury

Red 14.5

Care Garnacha Nativa 2022 75cl £11.40

Clean powerful aromas of ripe red and black fruits with cacao and coffee bean notes On the palate the wine shows finds spices, toasty hints and mature notes, with a perfectly integrated tannic structure On the finish the wine is rich, elegant, powerful and fruit driven

Red 14.5

Vina Salceda Puente de Salceda Crianza 2020 75cl £13.12

Red 13.5

Vintae Rioja Tempranillo Heredad de Tejada 2019 75cl £10.96

Assemblage of aromas from the barrel (cream, cocoa and vanilla) with black as well as ripe fruits Typical Tempranillo liquorice aromas at the end with spicy notes Pleasant, elegant profile shows fresh sensations from beginning to end A good structure, provided by the Tempranillo variety, but with the velvety character of its barrel aging In the end it is reminiscent of cherry and leaves a very pleasant unctuous feeling

Red 14.5

Sierra Cantabria Rioja Crianza 2020 75cl £16.99

A succulent, elegant Crianza Rioja crafted by Marcos Eguren, who is widely regarded as Spain s greatest winemaker This is Sierra Cantabria's most widely-admired wine due to its exceptional value and delicate yet complex style Ripe blackberry and cherry fruit, hints of spice and smoke, and a dusting of cocoa combine to form an easy yet complex Rioja with layers of flavour

Red 13

Bodegas la Purisima, Yecla, 'Campules El Moreno' NV 75cl £10.61

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 12

Celler 9+ Blau Cel Organic Blanc 2022 75cl £11.51

After the heritage of the vines (that where cultivated by the family for several generations), Moises Virgili, the owner who studied oenology and is was external oenologue of different cellars, decided to create his cellar using the garage of his house Nowadays three people work 100% for the winery and other eventual workers for works in the vines A lot of humility and work to take care of the tiny parcels of mostly old vines that he himself pruned and harvested as a kid helping his father

White 13.5

Ossian Vides y Vinos Ossian Organic Verdejo 2020 75cl £33.94

An extraordinary wine from a unique place on earth, Ossian is the fruit of vines more than 150 years old - escapees of the Phylloxera pandemic that scourged the world's vineyards in the late 19th Century Its lovely, juicy-ripe pear fruitiness is strongly reminiscent of white Burgundy, while a green fennel herbal character sets it apart as something quite unique A finely-applied veneer of top-quality oak enhances the wine's distinctiveness, and concentration from the ancient vines provides splendid persistence of flavours now, while promising further development in the bottle over several more years The 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 14.5

Bodegas San Alejandro, 'Vinas de Miedes', Garnacha, Calatayud 2021 75cl £13.26

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

Vinedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Amancio 2019 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!