Vinos de España/ Wines of Spain

In most parts of Spain, locals typically drink wine from grapes grown around their respective towns.  The Basque drink Txakoli, the Riojanas drink Rioja, the Andalusians drink sherry…Only in cosmopolitan cities such as Madrid or Barcelona is a wide range of wines from all over the Spanish winemaking landscape offered as alternatives.

Historically, because many families made wine for their own personal consumption, the wines were fashioned a su propio gusto (to one’s own taste).  Over the last two decades younger winemakers have been crafting wines by applying alternative viticulture and minimal intervention techniques in the cellar, offering different perspectives stylistically.   In other words, the wines no longer all taste the same.

There is no shortage of exciting wines being made in Spain.  Just look to the work being done in the Canary Islands, Gredos, Galicia, and Catalonia as examples of booming and innovative winemaking scenes.

Today, wine making regions that once reigned have now become the vanguard for exciting projects.  Appellations like Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón, Jumilla, Valencia, Manchuela, Alicante, Asturias, Toro and Navarra are putting DOs like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Rías Baixas on notice.

What are the wines like?

The wines range widely, stylistically.  Many of the wines skew natural and are made from recuperated native varieties.  Some are also blends of international grapes.  From light to full-bodied, balanced acidity, well integrated, spicy, herbaceous, and floral.

A focus on indigenous grapes, organic and biodynamic farming practices, modern and traditional winemaking techniques in the cellar, including many natural methods, contribute to an overall rise to the next level in terms of quality.

Shop our Vinos de España wine collection here.